Enhancing Nutrient Use Efficiencies in Rainfed Systems

Wani, S P and Chander, G and Uppal, R K (2015) Enhancing Nutrient Use Efficiencies in Rainfed Systems. In: Nutrient Use Efficiency: from Basics to Advances. Springer India, India, pp. 359-380. ISBN 9788132221685

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Abstract

Successful and sustained crop production to feed burgeoning population in rainfed areas, facing soil fertility-related degradation through low and imbalanced amounts of nutrients, requires regular nutrient inputs through biological, organic or inorganic sources of fertilizers. Intensification of fertilizer (all forms) use has given rise to concerns about efficiency of nutrient use, primarily driven by economic and environmental considerations. Inefficient nutrient use is a key factor pushing up the cost of cultivation and pulling down the profitability in farming while putting at stake the sustainability of rainfed farming systems. Nutrient use efficiency implies more produce per unit of nutrient applied; therefore, any soil-water-crop management practices that promote crop productivity at same level of fertilizer use are expected to enhance nutrient use efficiency. Pervasive nutrient depletion and imbalances in rainfed soils are primarily responsible for decreasing yields and declining response to applied macronutrient fertilizers. Studies have indicated soil test-based balanced fertilization an important driver for enhancing yields and improving nutrient use efficiency in terms of uptake, utilization and use efficiency for grain yield and harvest index indicating improved grain nutritional quality. Recycling of on-farm wastes is a big opportunity to cut use and cost of chemical fertilizers while getting higher yield levels at same macronutrient levels. Best management practices like adoption of high-yielding and nutrient-efficient cultivars, landform management for soil structure and health, checking pathways of nutrient losses or reversing nutrient losses through management at watershed scale and other holistic crop management practices have great scope to result in enhancing nutrient and resource use efficiency through higher yields. The best practices have been found to promote soil organic carbon storage that is critical for optimum soil processes and improve soil health and enhance nutrient use efficiency for sustainable intensification in the rainfed systems.

Item Type:	Book Section
Divisions:	RP-Resilient Dryland Systems
CRP:	CGIAR Research Program on Dryland Systems
Uncontrolled Keywords:	N use efficiency; Nutrient efficient genotypes; P use efficiency; Rainfed agriculture; Soil health; Sustainable intensification; Rainfed Systems, Nutrient Use
Subjects:	Others > Soil Science Others > Agriculture-Farming, Production, Technology, Economics
Depositing User:	Mr Ramesh K
Date Deposited:	17 Nov 2015 08:39
Last Modified:	17 Nov 2015 08:39
URI:	http://oar.icrisat.org/id/eprint/9135
Acknowledgement:	UNSPECIFIED
Links:	Google Scholar

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