Crop Plant Nutrition

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Plant Nutrient elements:

Plant nutrient elements are those nutrients which are required by the plant in more or less amount
for their normal growth and development.

Plant analysis shows presence of about 90 (or more) elements though only 17 of which are known
to be essential for plants.

An element will be considered essential when the three following criteria are satisfied / Arnon
(1954) has defined following criteria for essentiality of any nutrient:
i. The plant cannot grow or complete its life cycle in absence of the element;
ii. The element is very specific and cannot be replaced by another element;
iii. The element plays a direct role in plant metabolism.

Based on those criteria the following elements are known to be essential for the higher plants
C, H, O N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S
Fe, Mn, B, Mo, Cu, Zn, Cl and Co (someone tell)

Based on the relative requirement by plants, the essential plant nutrients are classified as:
A. Major or macronutrients: are those essential elements which required by the plants
in relatively large amounts (as compared to other element). Those nutrients which are
required by plants in concentrations exceeding 1000 ppm are termed as major or
macronutrients.
These are further classified into two categories as:
a. Primary nutrients: C, H, O, N, P, K are the primary elements which are essential
from seed germination and primary growth.
b. Secondary nutrients: They are secondary in the sense that they are needed only when
the plants have started growing (secondary growth) or they have grown for some period.
They are Ca, Mg and sulphur (S).
B. Minor or micro nutrients or trace elements: are those essential elements which
required by the plants in relatively small amount (as compared to other element). The
elements which are required by plants in concentration less than 100 ppm are put in this
category. They are: Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Mo, B, Cl (and Co.)
But regarding the essentiality, both of these groups are equally important. This
group is on the basis of the amount taken up by the plant.
Beneficial elements: They are beneficial for some specific plants not for all. e.g. Na, Si
(for rice).
Macro nutrient Micro nutrient
1. Deficiency symptoms are found in the older 1. Deficiency symptoms are found in the
leaves younger leaves
2. Plants absorb large amount 2. plants absorb small amounts
3. Comparatively high doses do not produce 3. High doses are toxic to plant
any adverse effect on plant
4. Deficiency comparatively high in soil 4. Deficiency comparatively low in soil

Essential plant nutrients, available forms and their sources are as follows:

Nutrients Available forms Sources


Carbon (C) CO2 (mainly by stomata) Air, atmosphere
+
Hydrogen (H) H2O, H Soil water
- --
Oxygen (O) OH , O2, O , CO2 Air, soil atmosphere
+ - -
NH4 , NO3 , NO2 , Fertilizers (mainly Urea),
Nitrogen (N)
Urea {CO(NH2) foliar application} Manures
Fertilizers (mainly TSP,
Phosphorus (P) H2PO4-, HPO4--, PO4---
SSP), Manures
Fertilizers (mainly MOP),
Potassium (K) K+
Manures
Fertilizers (mainly
Calcium (Ca) Ca++
Gypsum), Manures
Magnesium (Mg) Mg++ Fertilizers, Manures
Fertilizers (mainly
Sulphur (S) SO4--, SO3--
Gypsum), Manures
Iron (Fe) Fe++, Fe+++ Manures and fertilizer
++ ++++
Manganese (Mn) Mn , Mn Manures and fertilizer
Copper (Cu) Cu+, Cu++ Manures and fertilizer
++
Zinc (Zn) Zn Manures and fertilizer
--
Molybdenum (Mo) MoO4 Manures and fertilizer
Boron (B) H2BO3-, HBO3--, BO3--- Manures and fertilizer
-
Chlorine (Cl) Cl Manures and fertilizer
Nitrogen
Function

i. Nitrogen promotes vegetative growth, and improves the quality of produce including fodder,
leafy vegetables and food crops.
ii. It increases the tillering of cereals crops.
iii. N increases the protein content of some food and feed crops.
iv. It increases the size of leaf and fruits
v. N increases the crop yield.
vi. Nitrogen is essential to cell division, expansion, and therefore growth.
vii. It produces longer cells with thinner cell walls which is particularly important for vegetables
crops.

Deficiency symptom/ hunger signs/ lack of nitrogen


i. The growth of the plant is stunted with restricted foliage
ii. Makes the leaves small in size, light green, yellow or red in colour (Older leaves
iii. Tillering reduced
iv. Branching, internode elongation, flowering, fruit setting and other such developments are
adversely affected.
v. The flower bud often turns pale and sheds prematurely. The maturation is hastened but the
size and quality of the fruits are poor.
vi. Results to low yield.

Toxicity symptoms under abundant nitrogen supply

i. Excessive nitrogen prolongs vegetative growth resulting in delay in the maturity and fruiting
of some crops.
ii. Excessive nitrogen encourages the production of soft, succulent tissue which is susceptible to
lodging, mechanical injury and the attack of diseases with the consequence of a decrease in
the crop yield and quality.
iii. In case of cereal crops, the straw becomes weak and the crop very often lodges and straw and
grain ratio is increased.
iv. Excess nitrogen deteriorates the quality of some crops such as potato, barley and sugarcane.
It delayed reproductive growth and may adversely affect fruit and grain quality
Phosphorus
Function
i. P aids in laying down reproductive primordial in plants and thus promotes flowering
and fruiting.
ii. It enhances the development of reproductive parts.
iii. P is essential to seed maturation and is found in large amounts in seed and fruit.
iv. P stimulates root development and growth in the seedling stage and thereby it helps to
establish the seedlings quickly.
v. P imparts greater strength to cereal culm and prevents lodging.
vi. P increases the disease resistance capacity of plants.
vii. P has a special action on leguminous crops. It induces nodule formation of this crop
and rhizobial activity. Thus it helps in fixing more of atmospheric nitrogen in root
nodules.
viii. P makes the plant drought resistant and winter hardy.
Deficiency symptom
i. Root and shoot growth is restricted and plants become thin and spindly.
ii. Makes the colour of leaves, stems and branches purple.
iii. Leaves may shed prematurely and flowering and fruiting may be delayed
considerably.
iv. Stunted growth even under abundant supply of nitrogen and potash, premature
ripening of crop.
v. The tillering of cereal crops decreases and as such yield also becomes slow.
vi. Decrease the number of flower and fruit.
vii. Reduces the size of seed and grain with the consequence of poor yield.
viii. Promotes premature dropping.

Abundant supply/over dose/toxicity


i. Reduced vegetative growth.
ii. Early flowering, fruiting.
iii. Impairs the uptake of iron and zinc.
Potassium
Function
i. Potassium helps in the formation of mechanical tissues in cereals, encourage strong
stem and root system resulting into resistance to lodging.
ii. It plays a vital role in photosynthesis by directly increasing growth and leaf area
index and stomatal opening.
iii. It increases resistance in plants against drought, heat, frost and various diseases
caused by fungi, nematodes and other micro-organisms.
iv. In fruit crops, it improves colour, flavour and increases the size and weight of the
fruits.
v. It counteracts the damaging effects of excess nitrogen.
vi. It increases the plumpness of grains and seeds.

Deficiency symptom

i. Generally, a plant deficient in potassium is stunted in growth with a pronounced


shortening of the internodes and have a busy appearance.
ii. A deficiency of potassium brings about chlorosis, i.e. yellowing of leaves. So plant
shows a reduced rate of photosynthesis.
iii. Weakens the stem of grain crops and facilitates lodging.
iv. The root system develops poorly and root becomes thin and brown.
v. Decreases plants resistance to disese.
vi. Decreases the quality of certain fruits (Apple) and vegetable (Potato).
vii. Decraeses plumpness of grain and size of fruits.
viii. Reduces the crop yield.

Toxicity

i. Crop maturity is delayed.


ii.Dropping of flowers and fruits.
Sulphur
Function
i. It increases oil content in oil crops like soybean, groundnut and linseed.
ii. Sulphur forms an important constituent of straw and plant stalks.
iii. It promotes the nodule formation on the root of leguminous plant.
iv. It hastens root growth and stimulates seed formation.
v. Pungent odour of onion and garlic is due to the presence of S compound.
Deficiency symptom
i. Leaves of the cereal crops show interveinal (between veins) chlorosis.
ii. Root and stems become abnormally long and develop woodiness.
iii. Slow growth with slender stalks, nodulation in legumes may be poor and nitrogen
fixation is reduced.
iv. In fruit trees, the fruits become light green, mis-shaped, thicked skinned and less
juicy. Delays maturity of fruits.

Write an assignment on Functions, deficiency symptoms of Boron, Iron,


Manganese, Zinc, Copper, Cobalt, Molybdenum and Chlorine in crop
plants.

MANURES AND FERTILIZERS


Definition
Manures: Manures are the well decomposed organic substances of plant and animal
origin, are used to enrich soil fertility can promote crop production.
Or
Manure may be defined as the organic material of plant and animal origin under varying
stages of decomposition which are added to the soil in order to increase the soil organic
matter status, improve the soil health as well as to increase the nutrient status of the soil.
e.g. compost, farmyard manure (FYM), green manure (GM) etc.
Characteristics of Manures

i) Low content of nutrient elements


ii) Slow availability of nutrients
iii) Promote good soil physical condition
iv) Limited supply
Fertilizers: It is the chemical substances usually inorganic in nature and produce in the
factory which are added to the soil to supply certain elements essential to the growth of
plants.
OR
Inorganic fertilizer may be defined as the synthetic material, which are manufactured in
factories and added to the soil in order to provide one or more of the essential plant
nutrients. e.g. triple super phosphate, muriate of potash etc.
Characteristics of Fertilizers
i) Relatively high content of nutrient elements as compared to manure
ii) Readily soluble
iii) Generally display undesirable physical condition of soil
iv) Supply is almost unlimited in areas where fertilizer distribution and marketing
is well organized
Difference between manure and fertilizer
Manure Fertilizer
1. It is bulky; produced generally, in the 1. It is concentrated; manufactured
farm from organic substances of plant and chemically in factories, generally from
animal origin. inorganic substances.
2. It has no definite chemical formula and 2. It has definite chemical formula as well
composition. as composition.
3. Mode of action is very slow and crop 3. Mode of action is rapid and generally,
response is also slow. crop response is also rapid.
4. More than one essential plant nutrients 4. Only one or two or a fixed number of
are present. essential plant nutrients are present.
5. Amount of essential plant nutrient 5. Amount of essential plant nutrient(s)
present is low. present is high.
6. Generally do not show symptoms of 6. Over application than recommended
over supply or toxicity. dose shows toxic effect on soil and plant.

Chemical name, chemical formula and nutrient content of commonly used fertilizers
Nitrogenous fertilizer
Sl. Chemical name Chemical %N
No. formula
1 Urea CO(NH2)2 46
2 Anhydrous ammonia Liquid NH3 82
3 Ammonium sulphate (NH4)2SO4 21
4 Ammonium nitrate NH4NO3 33
5 Sodium nitrate NaNO3 16
6 Ammonium chloride NH4 Cl 26
7 Mono ammonium NH4H2PO4 11
phosphate
8 Di ammonium phosphate (NH4)2HPO4 21
9 Potassium nitrate KNO3 13
10 Calcium nitrate CaNO3 15.5

Phosphatic fertilizer
Sl. No. Chemical name Chemical formula %P2O5 %P
1 Triple super phosphate (TSP) Ca(H2PO4)2 48 21.12
2 Super phosphate or Ca(H2PO4)2 16 7.04
single super phosphate (SSP)
3 Mono ammonium phosphate NH4H2PO4 48 21.12
4 Di ammonium phosphate (NH4)2HPO4 54 23.76
5 Phosphoric acid H3 PO4 55 24.2

Potassic fertilizer
Sl. No. Chemical name Chemical %K2O %K
formula
1 Muriate of potash (MP) KCl 60 49.8
2 Potassium sulphate K2SO4 50 41.5
3 Potassium nitrate KNO3 44 36.52
Other fertilizers
Sl. No. Chemical name Chemical Nutrient
formula
1 Gypsum CaSO4.H2O Ca (33%), S
(18%)
2 Magnesium sulphate MgSO4.H2O S (13%), Ca
(9.5%)
3 Zinc sulphate ZnSO4.H2O Zn (36%), S
(18%)
4 Zinc oxide ZnO Zn (78%)
5 Boric acid H3BO3 B (17%)
6 Borax Na2B4O7.10H2O B (10.5%)
Commonly used manures in Bangladesh and their nutrient content
Sl. No. Manure N (%) P (%) K (%)
1 Compost (general) 0.4-0.8 0.3-0.6 0.7-1.0
2 Compost (town) 1-2 1 1.5
3 Compost (water 2-3 1-2 3-4
hyacinth)
4 Cowdung 0.5-1.5 0.4-0.8 0.5-1.9
5 Urine (Cow) 1 Trace (less than 1.35
0.05)
6 Farmyard Manure 0.5-1.5 0.4-0.8 0.5-1.9
(FYM)
7 Poultry Manure 1.6 1.5 0.85
8 Mustard oil cake 5.1-5.2 1.8-1.9 1.1-1.3
9 Groundnut oil cake 7-7.2 1.4-1.6 1.3-1.4
10 Sesame oil cake 6.2-6.3 2-2.1 1.2-1.3
11 Dried blood 10-12 1-1.5 0.6-0.8
12 Fish meal 4-10 3-4 0.5-1.5
13 Bone meal 4 9 -
14 Ash - - 2.3-1.2
15 Dhaincha (GM) 0.62 0.02 0.3
16 Sunnhemp (GM) 0.75 0.12 0.51
17 Cowpea (GM) 0.71 0.15 0.58
18 Black gram (GM) 0.85 0.18 0.53
19 Mung bean (GM) 0.72 0.18 0.53
20 Rice straw 0.52 0.52 1.61
21 Wheat straw 0.63 0.46 0.86
22 Sugarcane leaves 1.29 0.52 0.86
23 Weed 0.8 0.3 0.2

Methods of Fertilizer Application


For growth, development and higher yields the application of fertilizer is necessary.
Fertilizer recovery is greatly influenced by method of its application. To get the optimum
yield an adequate amount of fertilizers should be applied by proper methods. That’s why
knowledge of the methods of fertilizer application is necessary. Method of application
varies according to the spacing of crop, type of fertilizer material, time of application, etc.

Methods of fertilizer application


A. Broadcasting
B. Localized placement
C. Spraying or foliage application
D. Injection
E. Miscellaneous

1. Broadcasting
Application of fertilizer on the surface of land through broadcasting as evenly as possible.
Even and uniform spreading of dry solid fertilizers by hand or spreader over the entire
field before or after sowing of the crop is termed as broadcasting. Well decomposed
FYM, compost, oil cake, bone meal, urea, superphosphate and lime are applied by this
method.
The Broadcasting method can be divided into
i. Broadcasting during land preparation: Generally applied before planting or
sowing and followed for most of the crops.
ii. Top dressing: Spreading of fertilizer in standing crops without considering the
crop rows is termed as top dressing. Generally nitrogenous fertilizers are applied
at different stages of the growth of standing crops. The number of top dressing
depends upon the nature of the crop.
iii. Side dressing: Application of fertilizer in the rows is known as side dressing. eg.
Sugarcane, maize, jute, tea etc. But when the crop rows are taken into account and
the material is dropped on the ground surface near the crop rows then it is called
as side dressing.

Advantages of Broadcasting methods of fertilizer application


i) It is very easy method
ii) It requires less time and labour
iii) large area can be covered in a shortest possible time
iv) fertilizer may be applied in fields with narrow spacing crops
v) It can be applied on broadcasted plant
Disadvantages
i) Fertilizer distribution may not be uniform
ii) Experience is required to apply fertilizer
iii) fertilizer loss is maximum
iv) It encourages weed growth
v) sometimes leaf injury may occur
2 Localized placement
Application of fertilizer in the soil near the root zone. Localized placement can be
divided into
i) Band placement: According to the age and height of the plant, a band is
prepared on both sides in the soil (5-10 cm depth) 10-15 cm apart from the
plant. After that fertilizer is applied in the band. eg. Potato, tomato, cotton,
tobacco etc.
ii) Ball placement: Generally a ball is made of puddled soil with the necessary
amount of fertilizer. eg. Rice, Taro etc.
iii) Ring placement: A round ring is made one to three m from the plant. The
depth of the furrow varies from 15-20 cm. After that, fertilizer is placed in the
ring and covered with the soil. eg. Mango, Jackfruit, Guava, Litchi etc.
iv) Furrow placement: A narrow furrow (5-10 cm depth) is prepared between the
two adjacent rows and fertilizer is applied in the furrow. eg. Cauliflower,
Cabbage, Jute, Mustard etc.
v) Drill placement: Application of fertilizer with the help of seeddrill during
seeding. eg. Rice, Jute, Kaon etc.
vi) Plough placement: Furrow is made with the plough and fertilizer is applied in
furrows. eg., Potato, Sugarcane.
vii) Trench placement: Deep trench (Furrow, 30-40 cm) is made with spade and
fertilizer is placed in trench. eg. Sugarcane.

Advantages of Localized placement method of fertilizer application


i) It requires a lower amount of fertilizer than the broadcast method.
ii) Fertilizer loss is minimum
iii) It does not encourage weed growth
iv) Plant can absorb nutrient easily as it is available in the rootzone.

Disadvantages
i) It requires more time
ii) Labour cost is high
iii) Large area cannot be covered
iv) It is not possible for narrow spacing plants.
3. Spraying
Use of liquid fertilizers is not very common practice in Bangladesh but in advanced
countries this is the most common method. It is the most suitable method under dry land
agriculture and in the areas which are prone to erosion problems.
Urea and micro nutrient fertilizer solution are generally sprayed on the soil or leaves
i) Spraying of fertilizer along with pesticides
ii) Used soluble fertilizers eg. Urea.
Advantages of spraying method
i) Fertilizer is applied almost with pesticides
ii) It can be applied after appearing deficiency symptoms
iii) More appropriate for micro nutrients
iv) Plants can absorb the nutrients even in conditions of insufficient moisture.
Disadvantages
i) Fertilizers which are insoluble in water may not be applied
ii) If concentration is high leaf injury may occur
iii) It is not applicable in rainy conditions.
iv) Machinery is required.
4. Injection: Generally anhydrous ammonia, liquid ammonia are injected into the soil (5-
10 cm depth).
Advantages
i) Less wastage of nitrogenous fertilizer
ii) As the fertilizer in the form of solution is applied near the root zone, so the
efficiency of uptake is increased.
Disadvantages
i) Special machinery is needed for application
ii) Sometimes ammonia damages roots.
5. Miscellaneous
i) Nailing the fruit tress such as micro nutrient
ii) Application with irrigation water
Nanofertilization
Nanofertilizer and Nanotechnology
The word “Nano” means one-billionth, so nanotechnology refers to materials that
are measured in a billionth of a meter (nm). A nanometer is so small that the
width of a human hair is 80,000 nanometers. The field of nanotechnology has
resulted from advances in chemistry, physics, pharmaceuticals, engineering, and
biology. The size of a nanomaterial is typically about 1 to 100 nanometers. They
can be naturally occurring or engineered. Due to their extremely minute size, they
have many unique properties that are now being explored for new opportunities in
agriculture.
Objectives
Nanofertilizers are being studied as a way to increase nutrient efficiency and
improve plant nutrition, compared with traditional fertilizers. A nanofertilizer is
any product that is made with nanoparticles or uses nanotechnology to improve
nutrient efficiency
Types
Three classes of nanofertilizers have been proposed:
1. nanoscale fertilizer (nanoparticles which contain nutrients),
2. nanoscale additives (traditional fertilizers with nanoscale additives), and
3. nanoscale coating (traditional fertilizers coated or loaded with nanoparticles)

Another promising application of nanotechnology is the encapsulation of beneficial


microorganisms that can improve plant root health. These could include various bacteria
or fungi that enhance the availability of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in the root
zone. The development of nanobiosensors to react with specific root exudates is also
being explored.

Examples of potential nanofertilizer designs (adapted from Manjunatha et al., 2016)

Slow release: the nanocapsule slowly releases nutrients over a specified period of
time.
Quick release: the nanoparticle shell breaks upon contact with a surface (such as
striking a leaf).
Specific release: the shell breaks open when it encounters a specific chemical or
enzyme.
Moisture release: the nanoparticle degrades and releases nutrients in the presence
of water.
Heat release: the nanoparticle releases nutrients when the temperature exceeds a
set point.
pH release: the nanoparticle only degrades in specified acid or alkaline conditions.
Ultrasound release: the nanoparticle is ruptured by an external ultrasound
frequency.
Magnetic release: a magnetic nanoparticle ruptures when exposed to a magnetic
field.

Many of these nanotechnologies are still in the early development stage for both
medical and agricultural uses. However, the next time you hear about
nanofertilizers, you will have a better idea of where this field is headed.

SOIL FERTILITY AND PRODUCTIVITY


Soil fertility refers to the ability of a soil to supply all the essential nutrients to plants in
adequate amounts, available forms and in suitable proportions (balance). It is measured in
terms of available forms of the essential nutrient elements in the soil at any given time.

Soil productivity refers to the ability of a soil to produce crops. Productivity is a broader
term that includes fertility as one of the important factors which contribute towards crop
yield. This is not a soil property alone but function of several factors like management
practices, irrigation, drainage, plant protection measures, climate etc. This is measured in
terms of harvests or crop yield in relation to production factors for a specific kind of soil.

A soil may be fertile but may not be productive. As for example, saline soil may have all
the essential elements for plant growth but cannot be fertile because of excess Na-salts,
which disturb the balance with other nutrient ions like Ca2+, Mg2+, K+ etc. But a
productive soil is, of course, a fertile soil.

Thus soil fertility represents the status of available plant nutrients in soil while soil
productivity indicates the resultant effect of various factors influencing crop production,
both within and beyond the soil.

Agronomic means of maintaining soil fertility


Maintenance of soil fertility is a great problem to our farmers. Cultivation of same crop
year after year in the same field decreases the soil fertility. To increase the soil fertility, it
is necessary to check the loss of nutrient and to increase the nutrient content of soil. The
following things must be properly followed for increasing the fertility of soil:
i. Proper use of land
It is necessary to select the crop which is suitable for a particular land type by experience.
As for example, cultivation of aman paddy is best suited in low and clay soil. But this
land type is not suitable for tosha jute (Corchorus olitorius)
ii. Good tillage
Good tillage is necessary to bring the soil in suitable condition for the production of
crops. Weeds and stubbles of previous crop ploughed under by tillage is turned into
organic matter. As a result, the physical, chemical and biological changes of soil take
place which is necessary for the maintenance of soil fertility.
iii. Control of weeds
Weeds grown on a particular soil absorb plant nutrients and make the soil unfertile.
Generally crops fail to compete successfully with weeds in terms of plant nutrients. For
this, to maintain and improve the soil fertility, it is necessary to control weeds in time.

iv. Control of soil erosion


Top soil is rich in organic matter. Organic matter is the life as well as store house of plant
nutrients. Again, some nutrients, especially nitrogen remains on the upper layer of soil. If
the upper layer of soil is removed by any means, (air, water or human activities) the
fertility of soil decreases. Therefore, it is necessary to check the upper layer of soil from
erosion by any means.
v. Maintenance of optimum soil moisture
The quantity of soil water, either in excess or less, hampers the growth of crop. If the
quantity of water is excess in the soil, nutrients are lost by leaching and as a result the
fertility of soil decreases. Again, if there is no water in the soil, nutrients do not come into
soil solution to become available for plant uptake.
vi. Removal of excess water
Removal of excess water from the soil is very much essential. Otherwise, nutrients
are lost by the process of leaching. Besides this, the aeration is also hampered which
inhibits the microbial activity. So it is essential to remove excess water from the soil to
maintain the soil fertility.
vii. Cultivation of cover crops
Cover crops act as clothing of the soil. If cover crops are cultivated, such as Cowpea,
Sweet potato etc, then it makes a cover on the surface of the soil which reduces the soil
erosion and leaching loss of nutrients from the soil. As result, the fertility of soil is
conserved.
viii. Cultivation of green manuring crops
By cultivation of the green manuring crops (i.e. leguminous crops such as dhaincha,
sunnhemp, cowpea, kalai etc. and non-leguminous crops such as oat, maize, jowar, bajra
etc.) in the field and turning under the soil by ploughing, the organic matter (and nitrogen
in case of leguminous crops) increases in the soil and thereby the fertility of soil in-
creases. The leguminous crops fix nitrogen from air with the help of nitrifying bacteria
(Rhizobium) living in the nodule of the crops.
ix. Crop rotation
If the same crop is cultivated year after year in the same field, the particular nutrients
become exhausted and the fertility of the soil is decreased. For this reason, different crops
should be cultivated in a year.
x. Application of manures
Manure is organic in nature. Application of manures of plant origin (oil cakes, compost,
farmyard manure etc.) and animal origin (cow-dung, urine, bonemeal etc.) increase the
organic matter of soil and thereby the fertility of soil is increased.
xi. Judicious application of balanced fertilizer
Manures contain small quantity of nutrients. So, in many cases, the purpose of
supplying plant foods cannot be obtained by manuring. So fertilizers, the concentrated
source of plant nutrients, should be applied. However, it is very much essential to
estimate the requirement of different plant nutrients for a particular crop. Then, the exact
deficiency of plant nutrients in a particular soil should be estimated. Applications of
fertilizers should be aimed to correct this gap i.e., only to meet the demand of plant food.

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