NAN-AE-8
Expert
By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko
Ibadan, Nov.17, 2016 (NAN) Prof. Lateef Taiwo, a Soil Scientist, Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T) Ibadan, says proper soil management without impairing soil health is prerequisite for higher agricultural productivity.
Taiwo made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan on Thursday.
He said that soil fertility could be restored effectively by adopting the concept of Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM), this encompassing a strategy for nutrient management-based on natural resource conservation.
The scientist said that the importance of ISFM in crop production could not be over emphasised.
“ISFM is the application of soil fertility management practices and the knowledge to adapt these practices to local conditions, which maximise fertiliser and organic resource use efficiency and crop productivity.
“These practices necessarily include appropriate fertiliser and organic input management in combination with the utilisation of improved germ plasma and other natural resources which include some organisms,” he said.
Taiwo also said that bio fertiliser accelerated certain microbial processes in the soil which augment the extent of availability of nutrients in a form easily assimilated by plants.
“Bio fertilisers add nutrients through the natural processes of fixing atmospheric nitrogen, solubilising phosphorus and stimulating plant growth through the synthesis of growth promoting substances.
“Bio fertilisers can be in liquid or solid form, in either case a suitable carrier is needed for the micro-organisms to be used as bio-fertiliser, they are usually prepared as carrier-based inoculants containing effective microorganisms.
“Incorporation of micro-organisms in carrier material enables easy-handling, long term storage and high effectiveness of bio-fertilizers,” he said.
He explained that phytopathogenic microorganisms had a great impact on crop yields and could significantly reduce plant performance and crop quality.
“However, rhizobacteria that can provide bio control of disease or insect pests are considered an alternative for farmers than chemical pesticides,” Taiwo said. (NAN)
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Edited by Fela Fashoro/Morayo Omolade