Soil test-based nutrient balancing improved crop productivity and rural livelihoods: case study from rainfed semi-arid tropics in Andhra Pradesh, India

Chander, Girish; Wani, S P; Sahrawat, K. L.; Dixit, Sreenath; Venkateswarlu, B.; Rajesh, C.; Rao, P. N.; Pardhasaradhi, G

doi:10.1080/03650340.2013.871706

Cited by 25 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…The results further show that the soil samples were low in organic C (hence in available N), and widely deficient in P, S, B and Zn, but the deficiency of K was of minor nature. These results are in accord with the results of soil analysis reported from other states of India including Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh 8,[10][11][12][13] . In the semi-arid regions of sub-Saharan Africa, soil fertility has been mainly focused on organic matter and major nutrient management, and little research has been reported on the extent of deficiencies of secondary and micronutrients.…”

Section: Fertility Status Of Sat Soils: Some Resultssupporting

confidence: 82%

How Fertile are Semi-Arid Tropical Soils?

Sahrawat¹

2016

Current Science

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The semi-arid tropical (SAT) regions are notably characterized by low rainfall and high temperatures, and hence low natural primary productivity and soil fertility. However, to adequately respond to the title of our article as to how fertile are SAT soils, there is a need to critically review the current literature on the fertility status of SAT soils. Little attention has been paid in the past to determining the fertility status of SAT soils supporting rainfed production systems despite the fact that the SAT soils are relatively fragile than their irrigated counterparts; and this is due to their widespread degradation and lack of investment in building up the fertility. However, as in the case of other agroecosystems, the soils in the SAT regions vary widely in various fertility parameters. For example, the results of survey of large numbers of farmers' fields in the SAT regions of India, by the ICRISAT and its partners, showed that they vary widely in soil pH, salts (electrical conductivity, EC), organic C (an index of available N) and major (N and P), secondary (S) and micronutrients (B and Zn) although the soils were low in organic C with widespread deficiencies of these nutrients. From the results discussed in this article, it is concluded that in general, the soils in the SAT regions are low in fertility; however, they vary widely in various fertility parameters.

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Section: Fertility Status Of Sat Soils: Some Resultssupporting

confidence: 82%

How Fertile are Semi-Arid Tropical Soils?

Sahrawat¹

2016

Current Science

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“…However, under improved practice, the percentage increment in crop yields was almost the same as during previous years. Thus soil testbased nutrient balancing not only enhances crop productivity but also adds to resilience-building of production systems 14,17 . The findings from the participatory trials demonstrated the need for adopting science-led improved crop management practices and soil test-based fertilizer management to boost productivity and improve livelihoods in the SAT.…”

Section: Soil Mapping-based Fertilizer Management and Crop Productivitymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The characterization of fertility status of farmers' fields particularly in India, has indicated micro-, and secondary nutrient deficiencies of boron (B), zinc (Zn) and sulphur (S) in addition to nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). Such nutrient depletion is the chief biophysical factor limiting production [11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18] . Soil health is a pre-requisite to strengthen agro-based enterprises and may prove to be a very effective entry point intervention to quickly harness the productivity benefits while bringing on board the majority farmers to initiate the process of upgradation of dryland agriculture.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In rainfed agriculture, low crop yields are the main issue for the farmers and studies have indicated that the yields can be increased by 2 to 4 folds [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] . Decrease in soil fertility and water scarcity are the main causes for low crop yields and inefficient utilization of production resources [11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18] . Globally, only half of the nutrients that crops take from the soil are not replenished.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Soil Mapping and Variety-Based Entry-Point Interventions for Strengthening Agriculture-Based Livelihoods - Exemplar Case of 'bhoochetana' in India

et al. 2016

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Soil health diagnosis in nearly 100,000 farmers' fields under 'Bhoochetana' initiative in Karnataka showed widespread soil degradation. Soil mapping-based fertilizer management was an effective entry-point intervention to take most farmers on-board to initiate the process of upgrading agriculture. Soils of the farmers' fields showed low levels of micro-and secondary nutrients such as zinc (Zn) (55%), boron (B) (62%) and sulphur (S) (52%) in addition to that of phosphorus (P) (41%), potassium (K) (23%) and soil organic carbon (C) (52%). Soil mapping-based fertilizer management recorded significant productivity benefits that varied from 25% to 47% in cereals, 28% to 37% in pulses and 22% to 48% in oilseed crops. In terms of economics, a rupee spent on soil test-based fertility management brought returns of Rs 3 to Rs 15. Similarly, the participatory trials showed that the use of high yielding varieties of sorghum, pearl millet, finger millet, groundnut, soybean, castor, pigeonpea and chickpea enhanced productivity by 30% to 123%. The tangible benefits through soil mapping and variety based interventions have enhanced the risk-taking ability of farmers to invest in technologies based on use of soil testing and use of improved cultivars of crops. The adoption of simple knowledge-based technologies as entry point interventions along with policy reorientation to ensure knowledge sharing and availability of needed inputs at village level, enabled in a period of four years (2009-2013) to outreach more than 5 million families in Karnataka to transfer improved technologies in more than 7 million ha area. The study indicates that knowledge-based entry point interventions like soil mapping and improved varieties targeted at providing simple solutions are the best options for quick benefits and rapportbuilding with the majority farmers to initiate a collective action for technological upgradation of dry land agriculture.

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“…Land degradation due to soil fertility decline is a major hindrance in enhancing food production and realizing productivity potential. Due to prolonged nutrient mining, drylands are depleted not only in primary nutrients but also secondary and micro nutrients like sulphur, zinc, iron and boron [7][8][9][10][11][12]. The strategies to rejuvenate farm soil health through balancing the deficient micro and secondary nutrients along with primary nutrients have shown 20% to 70% higher food production [13][14][15][16].…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%