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(The Gist of Kurukshetra) PRECISE NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT AND SOIL HEALTH CARDS [OCTOBER-2019]

(The Gist of Kurukshetra) PRECISE NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT AND SOIL HEALTH CARDS

[OCTOBER-2019]

PRECISE NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT AND SOIL HEALTH CARDS

Soil Health Card (SHC) scheme was launched on 19th February 2015 and till 2018 nationwide a large number of SHCs were issued and accordingly nutrient management was done which resulted in record food grain production in even drought like conditions. Site-Specific Nutrient Management relies on principles of '5Rs', the right time, the right amount, the right place, the right source, and the right manner. The Site-Specific Nutrient Management (SSNM) approach emphasizes 'feeding' crop with nutrients as and when needed. SSNM strives to enable farmers to dynamically adjust fertilizer use to optimally fill the deficit between the nutrient needs of a high-yielding crop and the nutrient supply from naturally occurring indigenous sources such as soil, organic amendments, crop residues, manures, and irrigation water. The following nutrient management strategies are the most efficient methods to enhance nutrient use efficiency in the field crops.

Use of neem coated prilled urea and zinc sulphate-coated urea is beneficial in increasing grain yield, yield attributes, agronomic efficiency and apparent nitrogen recovery of field crops.
Production of hundred per cent neem coated urea for improvement in soil health and reduction in the attack of pests and diseases. This leads to a decrease in the use of plant protection chemicals, overall increase in crop yield and the reduction in the use of urea for non-agricultural purposes.
Use of biofertilizers like the application Phosphate Solubilising Bacteria (PSB) and Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhizae (VAM) along with rock phosphate provide higher productivity of field crops. These bio-fertilisers enhance root length; root volume and root dry weight which results in robust plant growth and higher yield.
Application of NPK fertilisers is adjusted to the location and time as per the needs of the crop based on Soil Health Card.
Leaf Colour Chart (LCC), Chlorophyll meters and Green Seeker based nitrogen management which ensures that nitrogen is applied at the right time and in the right amount as needed by the crop, which reduces wastage of N-fertilizer.
Integration with other Integrated Crop Management (ICM) practices such as the use of quality seeds, optimum plant population and efficient water management.
Fertigation is the most efficient method of fertiliser application, as it ensures uniform application of the water and fertilisers directly to the plant roots as per the crop demand. Since both water and nutrients reach directly to the rooting zone, it has a tremendous effect on resource saving.
Use of software-based skills like – Nutrient Experts, Crop Manager, Geographical Information System (GIS) and Global Positioning System (GPS) in monitoring and application of nutrients.