Preface Soil is the natural medium for the growth of plants and it is doubtful that soilless agriculture will ever be a cost effective alternative for the production of the bulk of the food and fiber needed. For atleast the foreseeable future the world will continue to rely on soil for agriculture. It is therefore essential that the soil is kept healthy. The present book “Managing Soil Health for Maximising Crop Productivity” has 10 chapters with a bibliography. Its first chapter explores different approaches to manage soil health and soil fertility, Chapter second evaluates the soil fertility and third chapter deals different approaches to manage water in rain-fed and irrigated agricultural systems. Fourth chapter highlights approaches to soil fertility management in general four approaches, namely physical, biological and chemical approaches as well as cropping systems or agronomic approach. Chapter five discusses the concept of integrated soil fertility management (ISFM). There is a outline of the role of cover crops, mulching and conservation tillage as forms of agriculture that can help reduce soil erosion. Chapter six discusses the use of organic resources in modern agriculture implies the production of crops through organic farming without doing any damage to the environment. Chapter seven and eight deals Mineral Fertilizer Management and Participatory approach to ISFM. The purpose of these chapters are to discuss what a fertilizer is, and the different terminologies used in fertilizer technology. ISFM is important, cost-effective and has the potential of improving farming efficiency and crop productivity. Chapter nine shows what the farmer will go through to determine the viability of the technology and hence be willing to accept it. Farming is a business. It is the income source of the farmer and the source of livelihood and that engages the largest number of people. Chapter ten sharing ISFM information the authors discuss reaching large-scale implementation should be the overriding objective of all project that have successfully ISFM practices to share provide markets support them.

Summary Soil fertility is the ability of the soil to support plant growth. The productive capacity of the soil depends on complex interactions between biological, chemical and physical properties of the soil. In essence, soil fertility does not refer only to plant nutrients but also soil organic matter, structure and maintenance of thriving soil organisms. Good farm practices aim at managing the various factors that make up each of these three properties to optimize yields of crops in an environmentally friendly manner. The debate on soil fertility is often erroneously limited to issues relating to plant nutrients.

Summary The soil is the basis of agriculture as the productivity of the farm enterprise is strongly linked to the fertility status of the soil. The soil acts as a reservoir for the essential nutrients that crops need for growth. When these nutrients are in sufficient quantities and balance, agricultural productivity is greatly enhanced. On the other hand if the nutrients are in short supply and imbalanced, crop growth is hampered. When crops grow and produce harvest, they remove nutrients from the soil. These nutrients are exported when the grains or edible parts are eaten and the stover removed. Consequently with time, a soil that is considered fertility will also lose its fertility if no nutrients are added periodically. It is important to assess the fertility status of the soil before planting and all necessary ameliorations effected in time to ensure a good harvest. Various methods exist for evaluating soil fertility. The best indicator of a fertile soil is good growth of crops growing on it.

Summary   This chapter explores different approaches to manage water in rain-fed and irrigated agricultural systems. The first methods support the retention of water and reduce soil erosion. These methods include mulching – the application of a surface coating over the soil – which is usually organic mater. This reduces the damage to soil caused by rain and wind and reduces water loss to evaporation and helps with infiltration. The other methods explored are bunding and terracing.  These approaches are about stopping the flow of water across land to increase the amount of water infiltration into the soil and to reduce or prevent soil run off.  These approaches are labour intensive. A less labour -intensive approach is contour ploughing. This approach is about encouraging farmers and tractor drivers to plough across sloping fields not up and down them. The second group of technologies refers to the introduction of water through irrigation methods.

Summary This chapter looks at the various approaches available to the farmer for the management of soil fertility. In general there are four approaches, namely, physical, biological and chemical approaches as well as the cropping systems or agronomic approach.This chapter discusses three approaches, physical, biological and cropping system or agronomic approaches. Chemical approach has been treated in chapter 7 of this book. Inoculation is an important technique in legume production. This chapter also looks at inoculation and how it is done.

Summary   ISFM has been defined in a number of ways – but here an emphasis is placed on finding a way to explain ISFM that makes sense to the intended audience. When combined with general good agronomic practices the combination of improved planting material, chemical fertilizer along with the addition of organic mater, increases productivity.  There are, however, constraints at the smallholder level – in terms of access to farm inputs e.g. seed, credit &labour.This section looks at short and long-term approaches to the application of basic nutrients. The issues of recycling nutrients and the impact of erosion on the nutrients in the soil. There is a review of the pros and cons of ISFM – it does increase yield (4 -6 times more production).  There is a brief outline of the role of cover crops, mulching and conservation tillage as forms of agriculture that can help reduce soil erosion.The section locates the idea of ISFM along side integrated pest management and explores the impact of biological control agents in Ghana and the role of micro-organisms.

Summary The use of organic resources in modern agriculture implies the production of crops through organic farming without doing any damage to the environment. Synthetic chemicals are never used in organic farming. This avoids having much pressure on nature’s non-renewable resources used in farming activities. In this unit, we shall discuss many organic resources, their quality and management within ISFM. Sources of plant nutrients include residual soil nutrients, crop residues, green manures, animal manures and biosolids, biologically-fixed nitrogen and manufactured fertilizers. Crops use plant nutrient from all sources but the nutrient elements must be transformed into the ionic forms before being taken by plants. The amount of nutrients provided by different sources varies between and within agro-ecosystems. Integrated plant nutrient management identifies and uses all available sources of plant nutrients

Summary Fertilizers are materials when applied replenish lost soil nutrients on farmer’s field. Without the use of fertilizers farmers would find it extremely difficult to increase their production to meet the ever-growing mouths. The purpose of this session is to discuss what a fertilizer is, and the different terminologies used in fertilizer technology.

Summary ISFM is important, cost-effective and has the potential of improving farming efficiency and crop productivity. This is only possible when farmers understand the concept and follow recommended practices in the ISFM approach.   The challenge is how to effectively disseminate ISFM practices to farmers for sustainable crop production.

Summary Food production starts with a good soil. No matter the kind of seed and good agronomic practices that are put in place without a good soil yields will be low and hence income. ISFM is a technology that helps to solve the problem of soil infertility and production.   Farmers only accept and adopt a technology if they see it to be superior to what they have been doing and it makes business sense. Farmers will not worry about the bigger picture of food security or increased production – they need to make a profit to support their household.

Summary Reaching large-scale implementation should be the overriding objective of all projects that have successfully ISFM practices to share provide markets support them. All too often ISFM results are only reported in peer-reviewed journals that are not accessible outside the research community.   Funding agencies often fail to make the production of extension materials an integral and mandatory requirement of research projects. Unfortunately, in the past, adoption of economically proven technology has often been poor. Some of the reasons include:

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