Site-specific nutrient management (SSNM): A unique approach towards maintaining soil health

Abstract

Agricultural production in India has increased from ~50 Mt in 1950 to ~251 Mt in 2011-2012 by the intensive use of external inputs. The negative nutrient balance due to the imbalanced fertilization to the tune of ~8-10 Mt is reported, resulting in nutrient mining, stagnation and/or deceleration in productivity and soil health decline. The indispensable role of geo-informatics (RS, GPS and GIS) aided site-specific nutrient management (SSNM) for efficient use of resources and nutrients is suggested for achieving the projected food production target ~300 Mt by 2025. Towards the better response of SSNM over blanket fertilizer recommendation in terms of nutrient use efficiency (NUE), productivity and profitability is reported and discussed under Indian context. Long-term pooled data across several locations in India revealed an increase in yield of rice and wheat crops by ~12 and 17% and profitability by ~14 and 13%, respectively as an outcome of SSNM. Web based farmers' advisory launched recently in the state of West Bengal is reported. The development of such dissemination mechanisms that consolidates the complex and knowledge-intensive SSNM information into simple delivery system is suggested for rapid implementation by the farmers towards maintaining soil health and ensuring future generation food security.