Soil Testing as a Tool for On-Farm Fertility Management: Experience from the Semi-arid Zone of India

Sahrawat, K L and Wani, S P (2013) Soil Testing as a Tool for On-Farm Fertility Management: Experience from the Semi-arid Zone of India. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis, 44 (6). pp. 1011-1032. ISSN 0010-3624

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Abstract

Rainfed agriculture in the dry regions is affected by water shortages. Our earlier research showed that the deficiencies not only of major nutrients but also those of sulfur (S) and micronutrients are holding back the potential of agricultural production systems. The objectives of this article are to discuss the efficacy of soil testing to diagnose nutrient deficiencies using 28,270 diverse soil samples collected from farmers' fields in the semi-arid tropical (SAT) regions of India and to confirm the efficacy of the soil test-based balanced nutrient management in enhancing productivity of a range of crops in on-farm farmer participatory trials under rainfed conditions. Results of a large numbers of on-farm trials demonstrated that soil testing is indeed an effective tool for on-farm fertility management, a prerequisite for sustainably enhancing the productivity in rainfed areas in the SAT regions of India. The need to strengthen the soil-testing infrastructure in the country is emphasized.

Item Type:	Article
Divisions:	UNSPECIFIED
CRP:	UNSPECIFIED
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Balanced nutrient management, crop productivity and quality, diagnosis of nutrient problems, soil quality, soil test-based recommendation, water shortage, water-use efficiency
Subjects:	Others > Soil Science
Depositing User:	Mr Siva Shankar
Date Deposited:	19 Mar 2013 08:34
Last Modified:	19 Mar 2013 10:44
URI:	http://oar.icrisat.org/id/eprint/6669
Official URL:	http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00103624.2012.750339
Projects:	Andhra Pradesh Rural Livelihood Program
Funders:	Government of Andhra Pradesh, Department for International Development (DFID, UK), World Bank special fund for Watershed Development, Government of Karnataka, Sir Dorabji Tata Trust
Acknowledgement:	UNSPECIFIED
Links:	Google Scholar

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