Restoration of Degraded Agricultural Land
Date
2018-09-26
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Ommega Publishers
Abstract
Restoration of agricultural land is important for sustainability of agriculture and environment. Land is under immense
pressure due to ever increasing population thereby ensuing growing demand for food, fiber and shelter. Agricultural
land is being deteriorated due to different anthropogenic and natural factors. The basic factors causing soil erosion-
induced degradation are wind and water erosion. Acidification, compaction and salinization are some other causes
of agricultural land degradation. The main causes of erosion on agricultural land are intensive cultivation, overgrazing,
poor management of arable soils and deforestation. Restoration of eroded agricultural land is achieved through several
agronomic and biological techniques. Crop rotations, agro-forestry, reduced tillage, cover crops, vegetative filter strips,
residue, and no-till are important among these. Biological measures such as buffers, conditioner application in direct
contact with the soil surface, crop residues using manure protect the soil from erosion. Restoration of saline agricultural
land can be achieved through recharge stabilization and reconstruction of saline land through fencing, retain remnant
vegetation, revegetation, runoff interception earthworks, and water table lowering.
Description
Keywords
Agricultural land; Soil erosion; Restoration
Citation
Saturday, A. Restoration of Degraded Agricultural Land: A Review. (2018) J Environ Health Sci 4(2): 44- 51.