Rajesh Kr Dubey, NidhiShukla
With increase in cost of production inputs, inorganic fertilizers became increasingly more expensive. Another issue of great concern was the sustainability of soil productivity as land began to be intensively tilled to produce higher yields under multiple and intensive cropping systems. Waterlogging and secondary salinization have been the banes associated with excess and irrational irrigation. Groundwater table declined sharply as more and deeper bore wells were drilled. Recharging of groundwater has also been reduced due to severe deforestation. Indiscriminate use of chemical pesticides to control various insect pests and diseases over the years has destroyed many naturally occurring effective biological control agents.