12 Main Principles for Applying Fertilizer to Soil

This article throws light upon the twelve main principles for applying fertilizer to soil. The principles are: 1. Soil Fertility 2. Balance Use of Fertilizers 3. Soil Condition 4. Erosion 5. Drainage 6. Temperature 7. Rainfall 8. Crop Rotation 9. Deep Placement of Fertilizers 10. Basal Application of Fertilizer 11. Split Application 12. Nutrient requirement of Different Crops and Varieties.

Principle # 1. Soil Fertility:

According to the basic fertility level of the soil fertilizer dose should be adjusted.

Principle # 2. Balance Use of Fertilizers:

The response of nitrogen fertilizer increases when use of nitrogen is balanced with the application of phosphorus and potash. Similarly in balanced application of fertilizers potash increases the availability of phosphorus.

Principle # 3. Soil Condition:

In neutral soil (pH 7.0) response of fertilizers is maximum. In acidic, saline and alkaline soils availability of fertilizers is reduced, thus, higher application is needed.

Principle # 4. Erosion:

Eroded soils usually require heavier fertilizer application to restore their productivity than soils which have not been eroded.

Principle # 5. Drainage:

In un-drained soil, availability of fertilizer is low. After drainage the economic levels of fertilizer use are higher.

Principle # 6. Temperature:

Under cool conditions which are not conducive to the rapid rate of decomposition and nitrification of organic matter, more nitrogen fertilizer is needed than under warmer conditions.

Principle # 7. Rainfall:

In general, there is high requirement of fertilizer in areas of high rainfall than dry farming areas.

Principle # 8. Crop Rotation:

Nitrogen dose is reduced after legume (pulse) crops in crop rotation because legume crop fix atmospheric nitrogen in the soil.

Principle # 9. Deep Placement of Fertilizers:

Placement of fertilizers 8.to 10 cm below the soil surface decreases the loss of fertilizers, thus, useful from the angles of both economy and uptake by plants.

Principle # 10. Basal Application of Fertilizer:

The basal application of phosphatic and potassic fertilizers are recommended because they are released slowly. Lower dose of nitrogen may be applied as basal.

Principle # 11. Split Application:

Nitrogen is easily and quickly available so that split application of nitrogen as top dressing has been found beneficial as well as economically feasible.

Principle # 12. Nutrient requirement of Different Crops and Varieties:

A good crop of Oats may utilize only 60 kg of nitrogen while maize will utilize 140 kg per hectare. Similarly, tall variety of rice take only 40-50 kg nitrogen whereas dwarf variety of rice require 80-100 kg nitrogen per hectare.