INTEGRATED NUTRIENT INTEGRATED NUTRIENT SUPPLY AND SUPPLY AND

MANAGEMENTMANAGEMENT

Integrated Nutrient supply Integrated Nutrient supply and Managementand Management

Integrated Nutrient Management advocates balanced and integrated Integrated Nutrient Management advocates balanced and integrated use of fertilizers. use of fertilizers.

INM envisage following components :INM envisage following components :

Efficient & judicious supply, use or management of all the major components Efficient & judicious supply, use or management of all the major components of plant nutrient sources.of plant nutrient sources.

Chemical fertilizers in conjunction with animal manures, compost, green Chemical fertilizers in conjunction with animal manures, compost, green

manures.manures.

Legumes in cropping system,Legumes in cropping system,

Biofertilizers andBiofertilizers and

Crop residues, recyclable waste and other locally available nutrient sources for Crop residues, recyclable waste and other locally available nutrient sources for sustaining soil fertility, health and productivity.sustaining soil fertility, health and productivity.

Importance of integrated nutrient Importance of integrated nutrient supply and managementsupply and management

The integrated nutrient supply and use of plant nutrients The integrated nutrient supply and use of plant nutrients from chemical fertilizers and organic manures has been from chemical fertilizers and organic manures has been shown to produce higher crop yields than when each is shown to produce higher crop yields than when each is applied alone.applied alone.

The increase in soil productivity results from their The increase in soil productivity results from their combined effect, the synergistic effect, that helps:combined effect, the synergistic effect, that helps:

Improve chemical, physical and biological properties of Improve chemical, physical and biological properties of soil,soil,

Improve the soil organic matter and nutritional status,Improve the soil organic matter and nutritional status,

Balanced nutrient supply to crops of cropping systems Balanced nutrient supply to crops of cropping systems andand

With no or minimal deleterious effect on environment, if With no or minimal deleterious effect on environment, if any. any.

Why integration?Why integration? Multiple nutrient deficienciesMultiple nutrient deficiencies Higher productivity and cropping intensity in irrigated Higher productivity and cropping intensity in irrigated

areasareas Organic sources insufficient for nutritional needs of HYVsOrganic sources insufficient for nutritional needs of HYVs Organic sources with mineral fertilizers became Organic sources with mineral fertilizers became

necessarynecessary Organic sources- no of animals a farmer possesOrganic sources- no of animals a farmer posses 50 per cent of dung used as fuel50 per cent of dung used as fuel Alternative source of energy for farmersAlternative source of energy for farmers Green manuring- loose one cropGreen manuring- loose one crop Lack of soil moisture for its decompositionLack of soil moisture for its decomposition A need of integrating organic sources with mineral A need of integrating organic sources with mineral

sourcessources FYM, green manure, crop residues, N-fixing bacteria, BGAFYM, green manure, crop residues, N-fixing bacteria, BGA Organic sources supplement plant nutrients needOrganic sources supplement plant nutrients need

Integrated nutrient supply for Integrated nutrient supply for desired yielddesired yield

Balanced Fertilization Reverse the ill Effect of Soil Mining of Nutrients Promoting Tenets of Sustainable Agriculture

Response of Fertilizers Declining due to Sub-optimal and Imbalance in Fertilizer Use Inappropriate Methods and Time of Application Lesser Use of Organic Manure INM Must for the Desired Results

The key objectives of Integrated The key objectives of Integrated nutrient supplynutrient supply

To maintain or enhance soil productivity through To maintain or enhance soil productivity through balanced use of mineral fertilizers combined with balanced use of mineral fertilizers combined with organic and biological sources of plant nutrients.organic and biological sources of plant nutrients.

To improve the stock of plant nutrients in the soil.To improve the stock of plant nutrients in the soil.

To improve the efficiency of plant nutrients, thus To improve the efficiency of plant nutrients, thus limiting losses to the environment.limiting losses to the environment.

To improve physical condition of soils.To improve physical condition of soils.

Major Sources of NutrientsComponent Desirable effect Other effect

Fertilizers Concentrated source Concentrated source

Concentrated source Less nutrients but Improves

soil physical properties

Immediate crop need not met

Green manure Sources of N from the

atmosphere

Crop competition

Crop residues Source of K. Mulching has (+)ve effect on soil properties

Immobilization of nutrients

More fertilizer needed.

Crop rotation

(other crop -

legume)

N fixed by legumes

Improves soil permeability

little N fixed available to the

rotation crop

Rhizobium,

Azospirillum. and

BGA

Mycorrhiza and P

solubilizers

N fixers

P solubilizers

Small amounts of N fixation

Small P solubilized

Some key points regarding Some key points regarding integrated nutrient supplyintegrated nutrient supply

Fertilizers and manures contribute about 50-Fertilizers and manures contribute about 50-60% increase in productivity of food grains 60% increase in productivity of food grains irrespective of soil and agro-ecological zone.irrespective of soil and agro-ecological zone.

For the land short countries like India, use of For the land short countries like India, use of fertilizers provide the best strategy for land fertilizers provide the best strategy for land saving.saving.

In soils of low pH, nitrogen fertilizer In soils of low pH, nitrogen fertilizer application alone further increase the soil application alone further increase the soil acidity.acidity.

Soil fertility status of Indian soilsSoil fertility status of Indian soilsNutrientNutrient Soil fertility statusSoil fertility status

NitrogenNitrogen Low in 228 districts, medium in 118, high in 18 Low in 228 districts, medium in 118, high in 18 districtsdistricts

PhosphorusPhosphorus Low in 170 districts, medium in 184, high in 17 Low in 170 districts, medium in 184, high in 17 districtsdistricts

PotassiumPotassium Low in 47 districts, medium in 192, high in122 Low in 47 districts, medium in 192, high in122 districtsdistricts

SulphurSulphur Deficiencies scattered in 100-120 districtsDeficiencies scattered in 100-120 districts

MagnesiumMagnesium Kerala, other southern states, very acid soilsKerala, other southern states, very acid soils

ZincZinc 50% of 150,000 soils analyzed found deficient50% of 150,000 soils analyzed found deficient

IronIron On upland calcareous soils rice, groundnut, On upland calcareous soils rice, groundnut, sugarcanesugarcane

BoronBoron Parts of Bihar, Karnataka, West BengalParts of Bihar, Karnataka, West Bengal

Chemical fertilizersChemical fertilizers These are the means for land savingThese are the means for land saving Poor productivity is due to low consumption of Poor productivity is due to low consumption of

chemical fertilizerschemical fertilizers The gap of nutrients added annually and lost from The gap of nutrients added annually and lost from

soil is about 10 million tonnessoil is about 10 million tonnes Under intensive cropping, chemical fertilizers Under intensive cropping, chemical fertilizers

contribute nearly 50% to the increase in crop yieldcontribute nearly 50% to the increase in crop yield According to NAAS, by 2025, India may have to According to NAAS, by 2025, India may have to

increase its plant nutrient supply to 45 mt form increase its plant nutrient supply to 45 mt form current level of 16.79 mt in 03-04through NPK & current level of 16.79 mt in 03-04through NPK & organic manuresorganic manures

Out of these 35 mt should come from chemical Out of these 35 mt should come from chemical fertilizers and rest 10 mt from organic sourcesfertilizers and rest 10 mt from organic sources

For highly sustainable productivity integrated For highly sustainable productivity integrated nutrient supply and use assumes highest prioritynutrient supply and use assumes highest priority

Organic Sources Animal Dung Human Excreta, Recycling of Plant Resources and

City Wastes Organic Sources Neither Nutrient Specific nor Concentrated

Sources For Nutritional Benefits, Organic Sources to be Decomposed Microorganisms Engineer Their Break Down Temperature and Moisture Conditions Influence the

Decomposition C: N ratio Decides the Time Lag for Nutrients to Become Plant

Usable Nutrient Supply from Organic Sources Remains low, Variable and

Uncertain Second Largest Population ( About 110 crores) Higher Number of Livestock (492 Millions) Seventh Largest Geographical Area (329 Million ha) A Vast Pool of Organic Manure for Nutrient Availability Organic Manure Potential = 16.9 Million Tonnes of NPK 85 per cent Arises from Animal Dung, Crop Residues and Human

Excreta About 5.65 mt NPK Available for Agricultural Use

Consumption of major fertilizers Consumption of major fertilizers (in lakh tonnes)(in lakh tonnes)

FertilizerFertilizer 2002-032002-03 2003-042003-04 2004-052004-05 2005-062005-06

ureaurea 184.93184.93 197.67197.67 206.65206.65 222.97222.97

DAPDAP 54.7354.73 56.2456.24 62.5662.56 67.6467.64

MOPMOP 19.1219.12 18.4118.41 24.0624.06 27.3127.31

NN 104.74104.74 110.77110.77 117.13117.13 127.23127.23

PP 40.1940.19 41.2441.24 46.2446.24 52.0452.04

KK 16.0116.01 15.9815.98 20.6120.61 24.1324.13

N+P+KN+P+K 160.94160.94 167.99167.99 183.98183.98 203.40203.40

Balance sheet of NutrientsBalance sheet of NutrientsNutrient removal by cropNutrient removal by crop 32 mt32 mt

Nutrient addition through fertilizersNutrient addition through fertilizers 16.8 mt16.8 mt

Nutrient addition through FYMNutrient addition through FYM 3.8 mt3.8 mt

Nutrient addition through BiofertilizersNutrient addition through Biofertilizers 1.0 mt1.0 mt

Nutrient addition through agricultural wastesNutrient addition through agricultural wastes 2.0 mt2.0 mt

Nutrient addition through other sourcesNutrient addition through other sources 1.0 mt1.0 mt

Total AdditionTotal Addition 24.6 mt24.6 mt

Mining of soilsMining of soils 7.4 mt per yr7.4 mt per yr

Projected food grain production in relation to Projected food grain production in relation to nutrient (N-P2O5-K2O) consumption, removal and nutrient (N-P2O5-K2O) consumption, removal and gapgap

Integrated use of manuresIntegrated use of manures

Organic matter helps improving soil health/ Organic matter helps improving soil health/ quality and environment security and also quality and environment security and also increase in productivity, sustainability of increase in productivity, sustainability of agriculture.agriculture.

Incentives and infrastructure need to be Incentives and infrastructure need to be developed to efficiently tap the locally developed to efficiently tap the locally available natural resources from both rural available natural resources from both rural and urban areas.and urban areas.

These resources not only provide nutrients These resources not only provide nutrients but also partially save the chemical but also partially save the chemical fertilizers.fertilizers.

FYM and compostFYM and compost Traditionally important sources of N and organic Traditionally important sources of N and organic

matter, besides being sources of P, K, S and matter, besides being sources of P, K, S and micronutrients.micronutrients.

Potential of rural and urban compost is about 600 Potential of rural and urban compost is about 600 and 16 mt, respectively.and 16 mt, respectively.

Only 2 t/ha/year is available for use in agriculture.Only 2 t/ha/year is available for use in agriculture. Less than 50% of the manurial potential of livestock Less than 50% of the manurial potential of livestock

population is utilized in crop production.population is utilized in crop production. Residual effect on succeeding crop is also very Residual effect on succeeding crop is also very

impressive.impressive. Integrated when with inorganic sources they also Integrated when with inorganic sources they also

reclaim the alkali/sodic and acidic soils.reclaim the alkali/sodic and acidic soils. These materials also improve the soil physical These materials also improve the soil physical

properties like bulk density, aggregate stability, properties like bulk density, aggregate stability, water infiltration and hydraulic conductivity and also water infiltration and hydraulic conductivity and also microbial population specially of Azotobacter.microbial population specially of Azotobacter.

Photographs Photographs

PhotographsPhotographs

Green manuringGreen manuring Green manuring and cultivation of legume in a cropping Green manuring and cultivation of legume in a cropping

system is effective in augmenting N supply.system is effective in augmenting N supply.

Integrated use of green manure and chemical fertilizers Integrated use of green manure and chemical fertilizers saves 50-70% fertilizer N in rice cultivation.saves 50-70% fertilizer N in rice cultivation.

In rice growing areas, on an average 30-40 kg fertilizer N In rice growing areas, on an average 30-40 kg fertilizer N equivalent can be considered as optimum.equivalent can be considered as optimum.

Important green manuring crops like sesbenia, sunnhemp Important green manuring crops like sesbenia, sunnhemp and cowpeas have narrow C:N ratio contribute sizable and cowpeas have narrow C:N ratio contribute sizable amount of plant nutrients particularly N.amount of plant nutrients particularly N.

Favorable effect of green manure is availability of Favorable effect of green manure is availability of nutrients through oxidation-reduction regime, pH and nutrients through oxidation-reduction regime, pH and increased chelation capacity.increased chelation capacity.

Green manuring of 45 days old cowpea alongwith 60 kg Green manuring of 45 days old cowpea alongwith 60 kg N/ha give considerably higher yield of rice as well as N/ha give considerably higher yield of rice as well as succeeding wheat by 270-430 kg/ha due to residual effect.succeeding wheat by 270-430 kg/ha due to residual effect.

Legume intercropping and Legume intercropping and residue incorporationresidue incorporation

Crops like sugarcane, maize, grain sorghum Crops like sugarcane, maize, grain sorghum may be benefited from green manuring in may be benefited from green manuring in crop rotation and incorporation of legume crop rotation and incorporation of legume residuesresidues

It can economize 60 kg N/ha in rice-wheat It can economize 60 kg N/ha in rice-wheat systemsystem

Crop residue and recyclable Crop residue and recyclable wastewaste

1/3 of crop residues are available for utilization in 1/3 of crop residues are available for utilization in agricultural production.agricultural production.

On an average, 25% N and P, 50% S and 75% K is On an average, 25% N and P, 50% S and 75% K is retained in cereal residues.retained in cereal residues.

2-4 mg N could be fixed by heterotrophic microbes 2-4 mg N could be fixed by heterotrophic microbes per gram of straw added in flooded soils.per gram of straw added in flooded soils.

Press-mud is a recyclable waste of sugar industry Press-mud is a recyclable waste of sugar industry and alongwith fertilizer it increases cane yield and and alongwith fertilizer it increases cane yield and substitute about 25% fertilizer equivalent to N.substitute about 25% fertilizer equivalent to N.

Potato haulms contain 2.5% N and integrated use Potato haulms contain 2.5% N and integrated use with Chemical fertilizer can save about 45 kg N/ha with Chemical fertilizer can save about 45 kg N/ha and also increase in cane yield by 5t/ha.and also increase in cane yield by 5t/ha.

5 tonnes of sugarcane trash/ha with fertilizer 5 tonnes of sugarcane trash/ha with fertilizer increase cane yield and save nearly 75 kg N/ha, increase cane yield and save nearly 75 kg N/ha, beside improving soil organic matter status.beside improving soil organic matter status.

BiofertilizersBiofertilizers The Rhizobium-legume symbiosis could meet more The Rhizobium-legume symbiosis could meet more

than 80% N needs of legume crops and increase than 80% N needs of legume crops and increase yield of pulse crop by 10-15%.yield of pulse crop by 10-15%.

Blue green algae and Azolla which are more relevant Blue green algae and Azolla which are more relevant to rice cultivation and contribution is 20-40 kg/ha to rice cultivation and contribution is 20-40 kg/ha fertilizer equivalent to N.fertilizer equivalent to N.

Phosphate solubilizing bacteria with low grade rock Phosphate solubilizing bacteria with low grade rock phosphate contribute about 30-35 kg Pphosphate contribute about 30-35 kg P22OO55/ha/ha in in neutral to slightly alkaline soils.neutral to slightly alkaline soils.

Vermicompost, sewage manure and biogas Vermicompost, sewage manure and biogas biproduct slurry with chemical fertilizers should be biproduct slurry with chemical fertilizers should be encouraged as these are potential sources of encouraged as these are potential sources of nutrients available to agriculture.nutrients available to agriculture.

ConclusionConclusion

Integrated nutrient supply and management Integrated nutrient supply and management models should be developed to provide models should be developed to provide guidance for rational, integrated and efficient guidance for rational, integrated and efficient supply and use of nutrient sources.supply and use of nutrient sources.

Strategies are also required to prepare and Strategies are also required to prepare and distribute bulk sources of nutrients to reduce distribute bulk sources of nutrients to reduce their bulk employing modern technology.their bulk employing modern technology.