This book is a manual on soil and water conservation, describing practical techniques of reducing risks of water runoff and soil erosion from sloping lands. The manual is written for specific applications to small landholders in developing countries. Rather than the emphasis on theoretical principles, the author draws upon his practical experiences in Taiwan, Nepal, Malawi, Australia, UK and elsewhere.
This 323-page volume comprises 20 chapters, 9 appendices, and lists about 200 references. Concepts are amply illustrated by diagrams (15), data tables (37), and ready-touse information in appendices. The volume can be thematically divided into seven sections. Section 1 contains two chapters and presents the urgency for soil and water conservation to meet the basic needs of the growing population, and identifies some myths, misconceptions and wrong ideas about practices concerning soil conservation. Section 2 comprises three chapters, one each dealing with soil, plant nutrition and soil management. This section defines soil properties and their management, plant nutrients and how to meet nutritional requirements, and basic concepts of soil erosion. The chapter dealing with soil enumerates the importance of soil organic matter and the role of soil microorganisms, and principal plant nutrients. The chapter on plant nutrition addresses the need for an appropriate use of fertilizers and soil testing, non-chemical means of improving soil fertility and techniques for management of macro-(N, P, K) and micronutrients (Fe, Mg, B, Mo, Cu, N, S). The chapter also addresses ways to improve soil structure for enhancing soil fertility. This chapter on soil management addresses practical issues dealing with hard pans and appropriate implements, techniques to procure and apply mulch, need for crop rotations, companion (mixed) cropping practices, cover crops and green manures, improved fallowing systems, composting, and no till farming.
Section 3 deals with 'conservation' and comprises four chapters. The chapter on soil erosion describes types of erosion by water (e.g. sheet, rill, gully, landslides) and wind, and factors affecting erosion-induced soil degradation. The chapter on 'Soil Conservation Theory' explains practical concepts, land classification, and techniques to measure slope gradient. This chapter also defines sustainable agriculture as 'improving production without affecting the longterm abilities of the land,' and discusses methods to achieve it. The land classification section describes potential and constraints of different land classes. The chapter on 'Soil