Northeast Microbial Database (NEMiD) is a first of its kind digital database on microbial diversity from North East (NE) India, which provides information on culturable microbes (bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes) isolated from soils of the region (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, Sikkim and parts of North Bengal) distributed across landscape elements (LSE) spread in various ecosystems. The database is based on the primary data through survey, isolation and
characterization of the microbes during 2008–2012.

Alkali lands in India occupy about 3.8 m ha. Due to poor physical properties, excessive exchangeable sodium and high pH, most of these lands support a poor vegetative cover. These lands are reclaimed using costly amendments such as gypsum, phospho-gypsum or press mud. In recent times many of the medicinal plants are in great demand for both internal requirements and export. However, as these crops are non conventional in nature, farmers are not convinced to cultivate them on fertile lands.

Importance of soil organic carbon (SOC) in maintaining soil productivity and natural ecosystem has been a major concern throughout the globe. SOC in the humid tropical climate becomes more important in view of undulating hilly terrain in the north eastern region of India. The major concern in such landscape is soil erosion and the necessary conservation practices. In the present study, we discuss the technique of pedometric mapping to link SOC and soil loss.

Original Source

Ensuring that the world's food needs are met by 2050 will take a doubling of global food production. To improve agricultural yields on that scale will require a radical rethink of global water-management strategies and policies. Sub-Saharan Africa is the epicentre of this challenge. Ninety-five per cent of sub-Saharan agriculture depends on 'green water': moisture from rain held in the soil. In large parts of the continent, most rain evaporates before it generates 'blue water', or run-off, so little of it recharges rivers, lakes and groundwater.