Sristi Raj Rai, Amity University Kolkata
Habitable dry land is mainly the playing field on earth for maximum human activities that have occurred to date and that might take place. These activities require energy and production of it requires the consumption of a balanced diet. To fulfill the above-mentioned necessities, one must have accessible fertile land to cultivate plants and livestock. But the spreading mining industries focusing to extract essential elements, minerals, or ores to strengthen the human economic sector and developing technology is degrading the natural land quality as well as disturbing the ecosystem at both local and regional levels. Industrial mining for sand and pebble for the production of glass and construction materials leads to deforestation, soil degradation, and contamination followed by its erosion.
The only way to feed two birds with one scone is to raise leguminous plants, as documented by the researchers working for the restoration of the mining areas of the Brazilian Amazon mainly in the state of Pará. Legume, plant belonging to the family of Fabaceae/Leguminosae is a rich protein source along with vitamins and minerals that can also act as green manure. Thus magically improves the quality of soil mixture including organic matter, minerals, and fluids (fixes nitrogen) capable of sustaining other life species. Rainy de Souza Rocha and his group studied the above-mentioned phenomena by planting 4 different species namely – Mucuna pruriens, Canavalia ensiformis, Cajanus cajan, and Crotolaria juncea, using 3 different techniques for soil management – topsoil, exposed soil, and hydrogels.
The topsoil from the nearby unexplored areas turns out to be the best technique and source of nutrients which also serves as a seed bank for various other species. Therefore it acts as a catalyst for the natural regeneration process. The addition of hydrogel polymers initially to the soil keeps the nutrient and water content of the soil in check thereby aiding in plant growth. The results show remarkable improvement in soil fertility, soil conditioning, and physical appearances by the cultivation of the legume species as it favors germination, growth, and biomass production and therefore recovers the degraded spaces. Further exploration of diversified species belonging to the same family with the implementation of different soil management technologies is supported by their studies.
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SOURCE – Souza Rocha, R., Monteiro, V., Santos, C., Fernandes, A., and Chuva de Abreu, L., 2020. Effect of the implantation of legume species and soil conditions on the recovery of the pebble mining area. Land Degradation & Development. https://doi.org/10.1002/ldr.3805
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