Field water capacity

Abstract

Fertilizers, both organic and mineral, are essential for sustainable crop production. Organic fertilizers play a significant role in improving the soil physical properties like soil aggregation, pore-size distribution reduction in soil compaction and crusting, and also improving the soil water retention and transmission characteristics. However, there is limitation in availability of the organic fertilizers sufficient enough to meet the crop demand to produce food, feed, and fiber for the growing population. The role of inorganic fertilizers cannot be ignored to meet the immediate crop demand. Besides this condition, the inorganic fertilizers also help in addition of organic residues to soil through enhanced biomass production and root growth. Therefore, both organic and inorganic fertilizers should be applied in integrated manner and in balanced proportion to improve soil health, minimize environmental pollution, and sustain crop yield at higher level.