Dear Parameshwar,

Different types of agricultural practices and systems affect the soil biota in different ways and the response may be either positive or negative depending on which part of the soil the biota, e.g. fungal or bacterial, is affected. For example, organisms which are sensitive to pH will be affected by the addition of lime; the bacterial: fungal ratio will be affected by the addition of fertilizers and manures which alter the C:N ratio as will the effects of tillage. Tilling the soil will reduce the number of fungal hyphens, because soil aggregates, which are held together by these hyphens, are broken down.

The consequences of agricultural practices on soil biota may be direct and far reaching. Organisms which are of benefit to agriculture and which may be affected include those responsible for

1.       Organic matter decomposition and soil aggregation;

2.       Breakdown of toxic compounds both metabolic by-products of organisms and agrochemicals;

3.       Inorganic transformations that make available nitrates, sulphates, and phosphates as well as essential elements such as iron and manganese;

4.       Nitrogen fixation into forms usable by higher plants

Agricultural practices that use high amounts of external-inputs, such as inorganic fertilizers, pesticides, and other amendments, can overcome specific soil constraints to crop production. These practices have led to considerable increases in overall food production in Europe, Asia and the Americas. However, especially in the most intensively managed systems, this has resulted in continuous environmental degradation, particularly of soil, vegetation and water resources, such as in the state of Haryana in India.

 Any misuse of high external inputs for crop production has far reaching effects, which include:

1.       Deterioration of soil quality and reduction in agricultural productivity due to nutrient depletion, organic matter losses, erosion and compaction.

2.       Pollution of soil and water through the over use of fertilizers and the improper use and disposal of animal wastes

3.       Increased incidence of human and ecosystem health problems due to the indiscriminate use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers

4.       Loss of biodiversity due to the use of reduced number of species being cultivated for commercial purposes

5.       Loss of adaptability traits when species that grow under specific local environmental conditions become extinct

6.       Loss of beneficial crop-associated biodiversity that provides ecosystem services such as pollination, nutrient cycling and regulation of pest and disease outbreaks

7.       Soil salinisation, depletion of freshwater resources and reduction of water quality due to unsustainable irrigation practices throughout the world

8.       Disturbance of soil physicochemical and biological processes as a result of intensive tillage and slash and burning.

Tillage, monoculture, pesticide use, erosion and soil contamination or pollution generally have negative effects on most soil organisms, reducing the soil's capacity to maintain its function. This has numerous facets including decreased soil organic matter content, loss of soil structure, loss of soil through wind and water erosion, development of acidic, saline and sodic soils, and soil contamination with pesticide residues and heavy metals .On the other hand, the application of organic wastes, moderate use of mineral fertilisers, crop rotations, irrigation in dry and drainage in wet areas generally have positive impacts on soil organism densities, diversity and activity. 

Regards,

Prem Baboo

Thanks Prem Baboo, for your valuable input. The main cause of deterioration of soil is human activities.

Bad water management affects salinity accumulation in soil, which ruined the mesopotamean civilization some 7000 years ago. I'd bet it had some thing to do with Indus valley problems too. Since then, we have been commiting the same error in every big irrigation project.

Thanks Yapa Sir. I agree with you and the nature needs to be protected including the soil health.

There are many examples in history where civilizations collapsed because of salinization leading to crop failure.  The crops respond drastically poor beyond a salinity threshold that might have led to large-scale famine.  Our research on water quality and salinity issues in Canada shows the importance of proper irrigation and drainage water management.  Here are some links to recently published work:

Abbas, H. and R. Sri Ranjan. 2015. Effect of soil moisture deficit on marketable yield and quality of potatoes. Canadian Biosystems Engineering. 57: 1.25-1.37. http://dx.doi.org/10.7451/CBE.2015.57.1.25

Satchithanantham, S., R. Sri Ranjan, P. Bullock. 2014. Protecting water quality using controlled drainage as an agricultural BMP for potato production. Transactions of the ASABE. 57(3): 815-826. http://dx.doi.org/10.13031/trans.57.10385

Cordeiro, M.R.C., R. Sri Ranjan, I.J. Ferguson, and N. Cicek. 2014. Nitrate, phosphorus, and salt export through subsurface drainage from corn fields in the Canadian Prairies. Transactions of the ASABE 57(1): 43-50. http://dx.doi.org/10.13031/trans.56.10370

http://dx.doi.org/10.13031/trans.57.10385

http://dx.doi.org/10.7451/CBE.2015.57.1.25

http://dx.doi.org/10.13031/trans.56.10370

There are many examples in history where civilizations collapsed because of salinization leading to crop failure.  The crops respond drastically poor beyond a salinity threshold that might have led to large-scale famine.  Our research on water quality and salinity issues in Canada shows the importance of proper irrigation and drainage water management.  Here are some links to recently published work:

Abbas, H. and R. Sri Ranjan. 2015. Effect of soil moisture deficit on marketable yield and quality of potatoes. Canadian Biosystems Engineering. 57: 1.25-1.37. http://dx.doi.org/10.7451/CBE.2015.57.1.25

Satchithanantham, S., R. Sri Ranjan, P. Bullock. 2014. Protecting water quality using controlled drainage as an agricultural BMP for potato production. Transactions of the ASABE. 57(3): 815-826. http://dx.doi.org/10.13031/trans.57.10385

Cordeiro, M.R.C., R. Sri Ranjan, I.J. Ferguson, and N. Cicek. 2014. Nitrate, phosphorus, and salt export through subsurface drainage from corn fields in the Canadian Prairies. Transactions of the ASABE 57(1): 43-50. http://dx.doi.org/10.13031/trans.56.10370

http://dx.doi.org/10.13031/trans.57.10385

http://dx.doi.org/10.7451/CBE.2015.57.1.25

http://dx.doi.org/10.13031/trans.56.10370

There are many examples in history where civilizations collapsed because of salinization leading to crop failure.  The crops respond drastically poor beyond a salinity threshold that might have led to large-scale famine.  Our research on water quality and salinity issues in Canada shows the importance of proper irrigation and drainage water management.  Here are some links to recently published work:

Abbas, H. and R. Sri Ranjan. 2015. Effect of soil moisture deficit on marketable yield and quality of potatoes. Canadian Biosystems Engineering. 57: 1.25-1.37. http://dx.doi.org/10.7451/CBE.2015.57.1.25

Satchithanantham, S., R. Sri Ranjan, P. Bullock. 2014. Protecting water quality using controlled drainage as an agricultural BMP for potato production. Transactions of the ASABE. 57(3): 815-826. http://dx.doi.org/10.13031/trans.57.10385

Cordeiro, M.R.C., R. Sri Ranjan, I.J. Ferguson, and N. Cicek. 2014. Nitrate, phosphorus, and salt export through subsurface drainage from corn fields in the Canadian Prairies. Transactions of the ASABE 57(1): 43-50. http://dx.doi.org/10.13031/trans.56.10370

http://dx.doi.org/10.13031/trans.57.10385

http://dx.doi.org/10.7451/CBE.2015.57.1.25

http://dx.doi.org/10.13031/trans.56.10370

Thanks Dr Ramanathan. Your links are helpful. 

Let me add some more opinion of mine. Let us have a debate on the issue about the contribution of the different nutrients through irrigation water on the success of different crops ?

very nice response Dr Ranjan . I absolutely agree with you , soil salinization is one of the pivotal factors responsible for not only collapse of civilization , but large scale migration of population  to other areas as well in search of  better fertile soils. Increasing salinity in Indo-gangetic plains of northern india  is one such example

Without Earth it is highly impossible to think about creation that is existing now. Era's, Civilizations passed, now modern human era with hi-fi technology is running.

Soil an invaluable and priceless gift. Nothing is possible without soil. Population explosion leads to invent many things to suffice their needs. 'Green revolution' is one of them. It is very difficult to imagine to exist without all these hi-fi things. No other go we have to adopt modern farming trends otherwise no yield. We have to face drought conditions. As long as we practice such kind of things we need to take enough care to avoid side effects then nature will not destroy.

HOW FARMING AFFECTS SOIL LIFE

http://dairy.ahdb.org.uk/technical-information/grassland-management/healthy-grassland-soils/life-beneath-your-land/impact-of-farming-on-soil-quality/how-farming-affects-soil-life/#.V90EkvB96Cg

Agriculture and soil biodiversity

http://www.fao.org/agriculture/crops/thematic-sitemap/theme/spi/soil-biodiversity/agriculture-and-soil-biodiversity/en/

How soil is destroyed

http://www.fao.org/docrep/t0389e/t0389e02.htm

Effects of Irrigation Practices on Some Soil Chemical Properties on OMI Irrigation Scheme

http://www.ijera.com/papers/Vol4_issue10/Part%20-%202/E4102935.pdf

CORRELATION STUDY BETWEEN SOIL CHEMICAL PROPERTIES AND JUICE QUALITY OF SUGARCANE AS INFLUENCE BY SALT AFFECTED SOILS OF MULA COMMAND (access needed)

http://www.envirobiotechjournals.com/article_abstract.php?aid=6550&iid=184&jid=3

PROCEEDINGS OF International Conference on Forests, Soil and Rural Livelihoods in a Changing Climate (interesting articles)

Environmental impact of irrigation

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_impact_of_irrigation

Soil Degradation in India: Causes, Major Threats, and Management Options

http://www.niaes.affrc.go.jp/marco/marco2015/text/ws3-2_m_s_aulakh.pdf

Influence of irrigation water on black soils in Amravati district, Maharashtra

http://www.currentscience.ac.in/Volumes/110/09/1740.pdf

How do the current agricultural practices affect the soil environment and health? (some one ask in RG)

https://www.researchgate.net/post/How_do_the_current_agricultural_practices_affect_the_soil_environment_and_health/1

SOIL EROSION AND DEGRADATION (intersting link)

http://www.worldwildlife.org/threats/soil-erosion-and-degradation

I think , if we consider 4R Nutrient Steward Concept fro effective nutrient management, time has come to respect 4R in irrigation management as well . Why not to consider right amount of water, with right quality of water , at right  crop growth stage in right crop variety ....And , unfortunately we falter anywhere out of these , it will induce deterioration in soil properties , eventually leading to soil degradation in form of waterlogging , salinity/sodicity etc are , infact, the result of faulty water management..?

Yes Anoop as you mentioned 'considering right amount of water, with right quality of water, at right crop growth stage in right crop variety' is perfect. Unfortunately TIME is not in our hands,sometimes we cannot expect natural calamities (I am talking in Indian context), farmers are absolutely helpless. I come across interesting information.

Water privatisation: a worldwide failure?

https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2015/jan/30/water-privatisation-worldwide-failure-lagos-world-bank

Assessment and Planning for the Application of Fault Detection and Diagnosis (FDD) to Building Water Networks, A WATERNOMICS Approach

http://waternomics.eu/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/NiallChambers_IAHRConference2015_WATERNOMICSFDDMethodologySubmission.pdf

WATER RESOURCE ISSUES AND AGRICULTURE

http://www.fao.org/docrep/003/t0800e/t0800e0a.htm

Introduction to agricultural water pollution

http://www.fao.org/docrep/w2598e/w2598e04.htm

Faulty Agriculture Practice

http://www.agriinfo.in/?page=topic&superid=1&topicid=702

Principles & Practices for Sustainable Water Management in Agriculture At a farm level

http://www.saiplatform.org/uploads/Library/Principles%20and%20Practices%20for%20%20Sustainable%20Water%20Management%20_At%20a%20farm%20level.pdf

Water as an economic good: the value of pricing and the failure of markets

http://waterfootprint.org/media/downloads/Report_19_Water_as_an_Econ_Good_1.pdf

Innovative Technologies for Water Saving in Irrigated Agriculture

http://psipw.org/attachments/article/304/IJWRAE_1(3)226-231.pdf

SOIL, WATER, AND NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT RESEARCH - A NEW AGENDA

https://library.cgiar.org/bitstream/handle/10947/1300/cg9405a.pdf?sequence=1

A Look at Twenty-first Century Water Resources Development (access need to get the article)

http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02508060008686804

Field Calibration of a Capacitance Water Content Probe in Fine Sand Soils (access need)

https://dl.sciencesocieties.org/publications/sssaj/abstracts/63/4/987

Water quality in sustainable water management

http://eprints.iisc.ernet.in/2390/1/water_quality.pdf

 Appreciating  your candid response along with some useful links, Jetty, how did mcroririgation took off from no where stage in both annual as well as perennial crops. Because of such interventions , we have minimised the over-use of irrigation water on one hand , and literally isolated the soil borne diseases  due to excess irrigation ...

Regarding 4R in irrigation management , how do we practice it fro nutrient management ..same way...

Yes, you are right Dr Srivastava. 4R in irrigation management is also required. 

Dear Dr. Shirgure,

I attach herewith PDF copy of an article. Hope you'll find it interesting, relevant and useful.

Friends, let us know how does faulty irrigation management leads to problems like soil compaction, hard pan formation or poor soil tilth ?

This is where stagewise water requirement comes into picture with regard to any crop. Most of the times , we notice crops are excessively irrigated instead of under-irrigation...

yes, I agree that there are missing information about the effect of irrigation system on soil quality, particularly on soil salinity. even if we use a good water quality (nosalin water) the use of fertilization combined to irrigation could have a long term effect.