Back U. R. Sangakkara and C. S. Kandapola
Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
Abstract
Soil quality is considered a very important characteristic that determines the productivity and sustainability of modern agricultural systems. However, conventional chemical farming has been identified as a system, which degrades soil quality. In contrast, organic or nature farming methods are sustainable due to their maintenance of soil quality.
Modern technologies such as Effective Micro-organisms are proven to be useful in enhancing productivity of traditional organic systems, while maintaining sustainability. Hence the impact of this technology on several indices of soil quality was determined.
The application of EM with different types of organic matter improved both chemical and physical properties of soils. In addition, EM increased yields of crops in both wet and dry seasons. The potential of EM in maintaining soil quality and sustainability of crops in tropical organic farming systems is presented on the basis of these results.