ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
CHAPTER 3 – AGRICULTURE AND THE ENVIRONMENT TOPIC: Increasing yield
STRATEGY 1 - CROP ROTATION: The principle of growing different types of crops in
different plots each year. This method is employed to improve soil fertility, control pests and
diseases, prevents soil erosion and promote overall sustainable agriculture.
Legumes: (e.g., peas or beans) They have nitrogen-fixing bacteria in their root nodules.
Planting legumes in the first year helps increase soil nitrogen levels, promoting better fertility
Leafy crops: Leafy crops often have shallow root systems that help in nutrient cycling. They
take up nutrients from the topsoil and return them to the soil when their leaves decompose.
Root crops: Root crops have a different set of nutrient requirements and are less susceptible
to pests and diseases that affect legumes and cereals. risk of soil-borne diseases is reduced,
and different nutrients are utilized.
Fallow: the land is ploughed but left barren for a period to restore soil fertility and to avoid
surplus production.
BENEFITS OF CROP ROTATION:
1. Disease and Pest Control: By rotating crops, farmer disrupt the life cycles of these pests
and reduce the risk of infestations.
2. Nutrient Management: Crop rotation helps maintain soil fertility by preventing the
depletion of specific nutrients and promoting a more balanced nutrient profile.
3. Weed Control: Growing leafy crop disrupting weed growth. dense leafy crops can shade
the soil and inhibit weed growth, reducing the need for herbicides.
4. Improved Soil Structure: Shallow roots take up nutrients from the topsoil and deep-
rooted crops can break up compacted soil layers.
5. Increased Yield and Quality: Proper crop rotation can lead to increased crop yields and
improved crop quality over the long term.
6. Crops ready to harvest at different times, so farmer get profit in different times.
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STRATEGY 2 – USING FERTILIZER: Fertilizers are substances added to soil or plants to
provide essential nutrients that enhance plant growth and productivity. Fertilisers contain
minerals such as nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. Add on to the nutrients available in the
soil. Their proper use can significantly increase agricultural yield by ensuring that crops have
access to the nutrients they need for optimal development. The wide range of fertilisers
available is often classified into two groups: organic and inorganic (synthetic) fertilisers.
How fertilizers contribute to higher yields?
Fertilizers provide key nutrients like nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K), which
are crucial for plant growth.
Fertilizers replenish soil nutrients, maintaining or improving soil fertility.
Fertilizers can ensure the quality produce such as protein content, sugar content, size and
color.
Fertilizers can help crops grow faster by providing an immediate nutrient in regions with a
limited growing condition.
Fertilizer helps to maximize productivity per unit area, enabling farmers to achieve higher
yields.
Making crops more resistant to environmental stresses.
Advantages of organic fertilizer:
Organic Fertilisers: Organic fertilisers are substances that have been derived from natural
sources (typically Living sources).
Improves Soil Health: They promote the growth of beneficial soil microorganisms, which
play a crucial role in nutrient cycling.
Environmentally Friendly: They decompose naturally and contribute to sustainable farming
practices.
Slow and Long-Lasting Release: Nutrients are released gradually as they break down,
ensuring a steady supply of nutrients to plants over time.
Healthy ecosystem: Encourages the growth of earthworms, fungi, and beneficial microbes
that improve soil fertility.
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Reduces Dependency on Chemicals: Using organic fertilizers decreases reliance on synthetic
fertilizers.
Safer for Humans and Animals: They are generally safer for farmworkers, consumers, and
the surrounding environment.
Disadvantages of organic fertilizer:
Lower Nutrient Content: lower concentrations of nutrients, requiring larger quantities to meet
plant nutrient needs.
Slow Nutrient Release: The slow release of nutrients may not provide an immediate boost to
plant growth.
Variable Nutrient: There is less accurate measure of nutrients in any organic fertilizer.
Nutrients varies due to different biodegradable material.
Bulkier and heavier than synthetic fertilizers, making storage, transportation, and application
more challenging and costly.
Emit strong odors, which may be unpleasant for workers and nearby residents.
Inorganic / synthetic / Chemical fertilisers
1. Inorganic are synthetically derived chemicals and minerals from the earth.
2. ‘Inorganic fertilisers are manufactured within a factory.
Advantages of synthetic fertilizer:
High Nutrient Content: Essential nutrients, making them effective in meeting the precise
nutrient requirements of crops.
Immediate Nutrient Release: dissolve quickly in soil, may provide an immediate boost to plant
growth.
Precise Nutrient: manufactured with specific nutrient ratios, enabling farmers to more
accurate applications to crop.
Predictable results: Synthetic fertilizers have uniform composition, ensuring consistent
performance and predictable results.
Easy to handle: Easy to transport, store, and apply due to their compact and lightweight.
Disadvantages of synthetic fertilizer:
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Soil Degradation: Prolonged use can lead to soil acidification, depletion of organic matter, and
reduced soil fertility.
Environmental Pollution: Excessive application can result in nutrient runoff, water pollution,
algal blooms, and etc.,
Energy-Intensive Production: Production requires significant energy and contributes to
greenhouse gas emissions.
Reduce micro-organisms: Use of synthetic fertilizers can, harm the beneficial
microorganisms and earthworms.
Health Risks: Improper handling and application can lead to human and animal health
issues.
Dependency and Cost: Farmers become reliant on synthetic fertilizers and reapplication
makes costly.
STRATEGY 3 – IRRIGATION: Irrigation is the artificial application of water to soil to assist in
the growth of crops.
Purpose:
To ensure crops receive adequate water for optimal growth and yield.
To enable farming in arid and semi-arid regions.
To maintain soil moisture during periods of low rainfall or drought.
To control soil salinity by flushing salts out of the soil.
Supplying water is essential to the crops.
Large percentage of a plant is made up of water;
Essential for cell activity;
Used in photosynthesis;
Mineral nutrient uptake requires water in the soil;
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