CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1. RESEARCH BACKGROUND
Okra , Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench is a economically well-known vegetable grown in tropical and sub-tropical countries of the world. Okra has relatively large area under cultivation in Africa and Asia with immense socioeconomic potential ( Kumar et.al.,2010). In Malaysia, there is a need to cultivate okra seed on a large scale to meet the growing demand of vegetable in the market (Singh et al., 2014). In 2013, the total world area under cultivation of okra was 0.43 million hectares and the production stood at 8.69 million tons. However, the production of okra in Malaysia was only 27 thousand tones and the productivity was 12.8 tones/hectare (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2015). The production of okra in Malaysia is low compared to other developing countries. Genetic and environmental factors affect the quality of the crops. Cultivation condition such as soil characteristic can be improved to enhance the growth, yield and quality of the crop species (Raissi et al., 2012). Soil is the most accessible growing medium for plants. Ability of the soil to sustain satisfactory crop growth influences the agriculture productivity. However, capability of soil to meet the plant’s requirement is the major
…show more content…
Nutrient availability from organic sources is due to microbial action and improved physical condition of soil (Sarker et al., 2004). The use of organic fertilizer to the soil helps to enhance its nutrient status and reduce incidence of pest (Adilakshi et al.,2007). Research done by Sridhar and Adeoye (2003) stated that organic based fertilizers are less leached into ground water than the inorganic
Organic fertilisers and natural pest control methods minimise the impact of viticulture on the environment. In recent years there has been a considerable movement by some growers towards an organic approach. This is as a result of consumer driven trends and pressure to minimise the environmental impact of viticulture.
Three substances mainly make fertilisers: nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. Their percentage in the solution will change the effectiveness on a determinate plant; for example is recommended to use high proportion of nitrogen fertilizers during the spring growth of spurts. The fertilisers can be spitted in two categories: organic that contains a low level of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium and aren’t toxic to the environment and synthetic that are made by a high concentration of the three substances and can be corrosive to the environment if are overused.
An advantage to genetically modified crops is a higher crop yield; this means the crop will produce more crops compared to a crop that isn’t modified. A significant portion of genetically modified crops have being growing in developed countries. In the last couple of years there has been a steady increase in the amount of ...
For years farmers have been adding natural fertilizers to their crops. It is a big risk though. Over fertilizing is very dangerous. It puts high concentrations of salt into the soil. It can also affect the water resources nearby. Nitrogen, Phosphate, and Potassium are the basics of fertilizer. If a certain nutrient is short in supply the fertilizer might not work as well. Calcium, iron, manganese are also nutrients that might be needed. So don’t just trust the fertilizer bag that says it has all the nutrients, test it out. (Miller and Levine 717)
Its nutritional richness and stress resistance makes it an important crop choice in Africa and Asia. Sorghum is the second cheapest source of energy and micronutrients (after pearl millet); and a vast majority of the population in Africa and central India depend on sorghum for their dietary energy and micronutrient requirement (Rao et al., 2006). Sorghum stover is the major source of dry fodder for urban and peri-urban dairy production in India (Tesfaye, 1998). In terms of nutrient uptake, sorghum account for about 35% of total intake of calories, protein, Fe and Zn in the dominant production/consumption regions of India (Rao et al., 2006). Biofortification of sorghum by increasing mineral micronutrients (especially iron and zinc) in grains is widespread interest (Pfeiffer and McClafferty 2007; Zhao, 2008).
With the rapid growth of our global population pouring into the next millennium, we will witness an ever-growing hunger rate around the world. That is unless we call for a revolution on the global scale. The Green Revolution which already sprouted in the early part of the century only need to add a bit more momentum and we will see a bright future for the human race, a future without hunger and starvation ¡V hopefully.It is becoming increasingly difficult for the planet to support its overwhelming population. And since the amount of arable land available is becoming scarce, we must seek ways to dramatically improve crop yields of existing cropland.
This project is important because different types of soil change the growth of plants, so with doing this experiment I could find which type is best. In the past, I have struggled to find a good soil where my plants grow fast. Finding which type of soil is best could help farmers and normal adults/students, including me, to grow their plants faster. This is important because growing plants faster can mean getting food faster.
Sesame is a short-day plant but also grows well in long-day areas. It thrives best on moderately fertile and well-drained soils (pH ranging from 5.5 to 8.0) and is sensitive to salinity. (Vossen & Mkamilo, 2007) Sesame can be produced both by smallholders and at larger industrial scale. Its production is mainly concentrated in area between northern and southern of equator latitude 45 degree, covering tropical to subtropical regions. The main producers are China, India, Myanmar in Asia, and Sultan, Uganda, Nigeria in Africa and Mexico and Guatemala in South America. Weather condition impact heavily the sesame production regardless of drought or heavy rain. The sesame yield in these countries
According to scientists, genetically engineering crops contributes to their quality. Crops that have been genetically modified to have a particular trait can decrease the amount of herbicides needed for growing that crop. Additionally, genetically modified (GM) crops can help third world countries, where malnutrition is common. For example, to help diminish nutrient deficiencies in developing countries, “plans were underway to develop a golden rice that also has increased iron content”(Whitman 2). In addition, GM crops can be modified to be able to “withstand the environmental challenges of drought, disease, and insect infestation” (Swenson 1). Growing GM crops can also result in fruits and vegetables that stay fresh for a prolonged period of time and taste better.
Now a days water pollution is occurring due to increased usage by fertilizers. due to which Chambal Fertilizers should also focus technologies which will reduce the wastage of fertilizer and increase the optimal usage of fertilizer like using Neem Coated fertilizers which can be spread evenly in the soil and prevent leaching and formation of unnecessary
As the global population continues to rise, the amount of food needed to feed the people will increase as well. Two types of agriculture systems have been the backbone for crop production for decades if not centuries: conventional and organic agriculture— both methods could not be any more different. Conventional agriculture, a method that uses synthetic chemical pesticides, technologies or additives, and practices that are unsustainable is the leading producer for our food. On the other side of spectrum, organic agriculture generally, performed in a much smaller scale, does not use synthetic chemicals and utilize methods that are environmentally sound. Most conventional
Improvements in the socio-economic patterns in India, China, Brazil and few other developing countries have opened new channels & opportunities for precision agriculture in these countries (Mondal, P. and Basu, M., 2009)”. India is a land of agriculture with large numbers of crops cultivated and the major pulses like wheat, pulses, rice, cotton, maize within top 10 in the world. However, when you take into consideration the ranking on quality wise it does not reach high. Although crops are being grown in India, The ratio of fertilizers used per area and the nutrition needs of the plants are not met. It is almost 3-5 times lesser to what is used in developed countries. With PA, you can achieve this needs of the plants, but studying the crop, soil and terrains. With the recent advancement in ISRO (Indian Satellite Research Organization) launching GPS and the IT revolution has changed the Indian environment making inroads for new scopes in farm sectors. There is also a misinterpretation that these technologies cannot be used in small scale farms. There are few technologies like chlorophyll meter (SPAD) and leaf colour chart (LCC) hand held portable devices to determine the timing of crop and the nutrient content. Government has been supportive in encouraging growers in small community to use GIS systems, and internet to understand the
Soil is the most important non-renewable resource on any farm. Healthy soil is key to a good
Organic farming has mushroomed drastically in importance and influence worldwide from its modest beginnings in the first half of the last century. Organic farming is production of food and livestock without the use of herbicides, pesticides, weedicides, fertilizers or genetically modified organism and use natural resources such as manure and compost instead. In other words, it is a production system which maintains the quality of soil ecosystem as well as human beings. According to IOWA State University, “the chemicals were not used for farming before World War 2. A number of munitions used in farming have contributed to field of agriculture. For instance, ammonium nitrate used as ammonium nitrate fertilizer”.
When studying plant nutrition, it is important to analyze the sources of the nutrition. Plants absorb their nutrients using their roots in the soil, however soil is not a uniform nutritive source. The plant’s wellbeing depends greatly on the quality, composition, and thickness of the soil. To help categorize such a broad topic, scientists have implemented a naming scheme for the different levels of soil. The first layer is closest to ...