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Fertility Management of the Soil-Rhizosphere System for Efficient Fertilizer Use in Vegetable Production
Ma Chin-hua and Manuel C. Palada AVRDC — the World Vegetable Center P.O. Box 42, Shanhua, Tainan, Taiwan 74199, October 2006

Abstract

FNCA Biofertilizer Newsletter
Mr. Richard M. Balog, Editor, Leader of FNCA Biofertilizer Project of the Philippines, Issue No. 7 February 2007

Message from the Philippines.

Dear Readers,

This 7th issue of the FNCA (Forum for Nuclear Cooperation in Asia) Biofertilizer Newsletter features the activities pertaining to research and development, industry, use and promotion and impactof Biofertilizers in Philippine agriculture. It's my pleasure to share to you information herein that you may find interesting and valuable in line with the same activities in your respective areas.

The need to address the food requirement of the growing population in the Philippines made the farmers adopt the latest technology in agriculture like the use of high yielding and resistant crop varieties. These varieties however require high amount of nutrients making the farmers dependent on agricultural input like inorganic fertilizers. It was reported that from 1966 to 1998 fertilizer application in the Philippines increased from 20% to 80%. Nitrogen, considered as the most limiting
factor in crop production, gains the highest mark of all the major nutrients from inorganic sources applied by farmers. The 2001 FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) Yearbook on fertilizers stated that from 1987 to 1998, Philippine consumption of nitrogenous fertilizers increased from 371,487 MT to 546,499 MT. Such consumption resulted to high production for some time but adverse soil and other environmental conditions were observed in the long run. This called for the use of other alternative inputs. The use of biofertilizers has been determined as one of the main options to address the rising concern on agricultural and environmental sustainability.

Biofertilizer industry in the Philippines grown considerably with the promotion of Government of bioorganic farming and the active involvement of research institutions, private individuals and enterprises. Biofertilizers in various forms have been developed and more researches on rhizobia legume symbiosis, azolla, mychorriza, sesbania, blue green algae and the living microorganism (Nfixing bacteria) were encouraged.

My sincere thanks to the contributors who graciously contributed some highlights of their research works and efforts. Without their contributions, this issue would not have materialized.

Best regards,
Richard M. Balog
FNCA Biofertilizer Project Leader, Philippines

See also:
3. Mycorrhiza

Biofertilizer Group Newsletter

FNCA Forum for Nuclear Cooperation in Asia
The Asian region is one of the regions, which enjoys the highest economic growth rates in the world. To sustain such growth in the face of limited resources and the need to protect and preserve the environment, the region can benefit from effective utilization of nuclear science and technology.

Issue No. 7 February 2007 1.7MB by the Philippines

Biotechnology Capacity Of LDCs In The Asian Pacific Rim
Suman Sahai, Gene Campaign, AgBioforum, Volume 2 // Number 3 & 4 // Article 7, 1999

Use of Microbial Inoculants and Organic Fertilizers in Agricultural Production
FFTC, J.F. Parr, S.B. Hornick, and D.D. Kaufman, 1994-11-01
Soil-Microbial Systems Laboratory
Agricultural Research Service
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Beltsville, Maryland, U.S.A.

Because of exploitive and improper farming practices, agricultural lands worldwide

Microbial and Organic Fertilizers in Asia
FFTC

Understanding the Soil Rhizosphere System
Food & Fertilizer Technology Center, 2006-12-01

Sustainable Management of the Soil Rhizosphere System

Methods for the sustainable management of the soil rhizosphere system for efficient crop production and fertilizer use clearly fall into three distinct ways and methods: a) cultural management/practices; b) efficient nutrient application/fertilizer management; and c) use of organic fertilizers and bio-fertilizers.

FNCA: carriers for Biofertilizers

Mycorrhiza
FNCA Biofertilizer Project Chapter 4 03

Mycorrhizal fungi are species of fungi that intimately
associate with plant roots forming a symbiotic relationship, with the
plant providing sugars for the fungi and the fungi providing nutrients
such as phosphorus, to the plants. Mycorrhizal fungi can absorb,
accumulate and transport large quantities of phosphate within their
hyphae and release to plant cells in root tissue.

See Description