Nutrient Management - Science topic

Machine learning algorithms plays a significant role in precise resource optimization like irrigation water and nutrient management. Based on the real time data, the decision making is made easy by predicting the need and subsequently supplying it the precise requirements. Irrigation scheduling could be done based on available wheather parameters, sensor based precised data on soil water and the crop water requirements for millets at a particular period. All these calculations can be automated using machines. Real time based moisture content of the plant and temperature of it can also be included in the algorithm as an input. By combining all this the actual amount needed can be calculated and applied accordingly which optimize the over or under use of water resources.

Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) is the strategic use of chemical fertilizers, organic manures (like compost, green manure) and biofertilizers to maintain soil fertility and optimize crop productivity sustainably.

Agroecological practices can transform the intensive cereal-based farming of the Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP) towards sustainable and nutritious food production in several key ways:

The recommended package of practices (PoPs) for major oilseeds and pulse crops in the agro-climatic zones (ACZs) of India have proven to be highly effective in enhancing both yield and profitability. These practices are tailored to specific regional agro-ecological conditions and include optimized sowing times, high-yielding and stress-tolerant varieties, balanced fertilization, integrated pest and disease management, and improved irrigation and weed control techniques. Adoption of PoPs has resulted in substantial yield gains often 20–40% higher than traditional methods—and improved input use efficiency, leading to better returns on investment for farmers. Additionally, the integration of PoPs with extension services and farmer training has further strengthened their impact, making them a key strategy for increasing productivity and income in India’s diverse agricultural zones.

Site-Specific Nutrient Management (SSNM) can be effectively integrated into broader Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) strategies by tailoring fertilizer application to crop needs, soil conditions, and local climate, thereby optimizing nutrient use efficiency (NUE) and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, particularly nitrous oxide. By minimizing over-application of nitrogen and promoting balanced nutrient inputs, SSNM reduces losses to the environment while sustaining yields. When combined with CSA practices like conservation tillage, cover cropping, and diversified rotations, SSNM also supports enhanced soil organic carbon sequestration through improved root biomass and residue management. This integrated approach not only mitigates GHG emissions but also builds long-term soil health and resilience against climate variability.

The GreenSeeker device is used to measure the NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index), which reflects plant health and vigor. In rice cultivation, nitrogen fertilizer recommendation is calculated using a process that links NDVI values to the crop’s nitrogen needs through the following steps:

1. Measure NDVI at a specific growth stage, such as tillering or before panicle initiation.

2.Compare the field NDVI with the NDVI of a control strip, where sufficient nitrogen has been applied (this is called the nitrogen-rich strip).

3. Calculate the difference or ratio between the field NDVI and the control NDVI.

4. Insert the values into a calibrated formula, which accounts for NDVI values, the crop stage, and previously applied nitrogen.

5.The result gives the recommended nitrogen dose to apply.

This method helps avoid over-fertilization, reduce costs, and improve nitrogen use efficiency.

Precise management of nutrient addition requires knowledge about the soil fertility status at the site, the crop rotation, and the type of crops to be grown, in addition to the presence of a smart and precise irrigation method. Accordingly, a sound strategy can be developed in terms of selecting the type of mineral, organic, and biological fertilizers to achieve integrated fertilization management and linking them to the plant's life stages, as well as choosing the appropriate doses and time for addition in the appropriate manner.

I think that the Precision nutrient management can be integrated with sustainable farming practices to improve soil health and increase crop yields through the following steps:

Let us use a food analogy (i am a foodie) to see how innovative digital tools help improve nutrient management practices:

Together, these digital tools create a "smart kitchen" for farming that reduces fertilizer waste, improves crop yields, lowers environmental impact, and saves farmers money—all by applying exactly the right nutrients, at the right time, in the right amounts.

Dr. Xiaolan Huang (黄 晓澜) Greetings

Congratulations for your new assignment!

May I know who is the publisher of your upcoming book?? Please email me the details at moonisadervash757@gmail.com

Best Regards,

Dr. Moonisa Aslam Dervash

Absolutely! Agricultural science has indeed reached an advanced stage, but there's a gap between the available knowledge and its practical implementation, particularly regarding precise nutrient management in farming. While it's encouraging that many farmers are conducting annual soil tests, it's crucial to translate these tests into actionable insights that are tailored to specific crops and locations.

The Soil Test Crop Response (STCR) equation is one such tool that can provide farmers with precise recommendations for fertilizer application based on soil test results, crop type, and environmental factors. These recommendations ensure that nutrients are applied in optimal quantities and at the right time, maximizing crop yield while minimizing waste and environmental impact.

By embracing crop-specific and location-specific nutrient management strategies like the STCR equation, farmers can achieve more sustainable and efficient agricultural practices. This not only benefits their bottom line by reducing input costs and increasing yields but also contributes to environmental conservation by minimizing nutrient runoff and pollution.

Therefore, there's a clear need to prioritize the adoption of precise fertilizer recommendations in agriculture to harness the full potential of advanced agricultural science and ensure the long-term sustainability of our food production systems.

This method typically has the soil samples collected a year (or more) after the imagery date and tissue testing. Site-specific soil test target levels are established for each field and nutrient management plans developed to reach and maintain the target levels. Plant tissue analysis gives a much more direct measure of what the plant is using; the procedures are universally applicable (in contrast to soil testing methodology); and regular plant tissue testing enables plant nutrient status to be monitored. Precision fertilization is applying the Right Input, at the Right Amount, to the Right Place, at the Right Time, and in the Right Manner and help farmers reduce the amount of inputs they use, which can help reduce the risk of environmental pollution. Precision agriculture is the science of improving crop yields and assisting management decisions using high technology sensor and analysis tools. Precision fertilization and precision irrigation are a fertilization technology based on the comprehensive analysis of the yield data of different spatial units and multilayer data, such as soil physical and chemical properties, diseases, pests, and climate. A fertilizer recommendation is the research-based set of guidelines, or management practices, for supplying fertilizer to the crop to achieve yield and quality goals (economic) in a manner that minimizes nutrient losses to the environment. High-spatial-resolution UAS imagery enables much earlier and more cost-effective detection, diagnosis, and corrective action of agricultural management problems compared to low-resolution satellite imagery. Therefore, UAS can address the needs of farmers or other users, enabling them to make better management decisions with minimal costs and environmental impact.

Based on soil testing results fertilizer recommendations in crops are more effective in increasing yield and quality crop production. Plants' nutrient deficiency and toxicity are not balanced in the growth and development of plants. Therefore regular soil tests and plant-tissue tests are needed to ensure improved high-yield crop productivity and high-quality crop production. Yes, analyze the components of the approach and discuss its effectiveness in optimizing nutrient management for different crops. We should study soil health and smart crop production with soil fertility management.

Life cycle analysis is based on current and literature data as well. Which area you are gonna LCA? if it is a Life cycle environmental analysis, I'd prefer that collect data from an existing system, or use literature, or you can also use sarogate system for the analysis. Here is some software you can use for environmental analysis i,e., GaBi, SimaPro, ecoenvent etc.

A septic system's lifespan should be anywhere from 15 to 40 years. How long the system lasts depends on a number of factors, including construction material, soil acidity, water table, maintenance practices, and several others. Concrete septic tanks have the longest lifespan out of any septic tank material. Pipes in your drain field system are usually made of PVC plastic, steel, or cast iron, which typically lasts up to 50 years if installed and maintained properly.

Recuperarea nutrienţilor se face pentru a putea fi utilizaţi ulterior în diferite domenii.

Eliminarea nutrienţilor se face pentru a-i îndepărta definitiv din probă.

Mainly Urea or other source of N fertilizer like NaNO3, (NH4)2SO4, UAN has been used for foliar N-application due to its quick absorption resulting in high recoveries of the applied N-fertilizer. Urea being small & neutral molecules with high solubility, it rapidly penetrates the leaf cuticle by lipophilic and stomatal pathways. Inside the leaf, urea hydrolysis is catalyzed by urease, an enzyme that is present in the plant tissues. A very small part of the foliar applied urea hydrolyzed to ammonia & CO2. The scorching appeared as chlorosis of the leaf tip, where NH4+ accumulation is driven by the transpiration stream.

In short, we can say that leaf scorching is promoted by NH4+ accumulation due to a limitation in N assimilation capacity (lack of balance in N uptake & assimilation).

@ Abhishek, the attached files may be useful to you.

You may use the Internet of things (IoT) for managing various issues such as fertilization. check articles like

The use of lava pumice for horticulture is limited based on its serious deficiency in essential Calcium. In addition it is quite high in Potassium and Magnesium which make Calcium availability worse. I was mandated to use lava pumice in Hawaii ginger production systems but upon its poor performance made it use untenable. Another problem is these materials are too dense for container plantings. Not everything that is available has competitive usage qualities. The availability of minerals from pumic materials are also low.

According your question you may adjust concentration of all nutrients of the Hoagland solution in order to check potassium control. You may also take care about the varieties you are using for your work.

Thanks, Dr. Chandrakala M. sharing your country's recent applications. How many kilograms is the package which could be substituted by a 500ml bottle?

Urea is rapidly hydrolyzed to ammonium (this process is completed in about 5 days), which can be potentially lost through ammonia volatilization. But if urea is placed at a depth (even 1-2 cm below the soil surface), losses of urea-N via ammonia volatilization are greatly reduced or are minimal. The application of urea before or after irrigation is linked with ammonia volatilization losses rather than the issues discussed above by different colleagues. In coarse-textured soils where water percolation rates are high, it is recommended to apply urea before the irrigation event as the percolating water carries urea to a depth in the soil and urea-N does not remain prone to losses via ammonia volatilization. But one should make sure that the time between urea application and irrigation is kept to a minimum. Urea lying on the dry soil before application of irrigation water can also be hydrolyzed to ammonium though to a limited extent. We need to keep in mind that that urea is very hygroscopic.

In heavy-textured soil, the best way to apply urea is to incorporate it into the soil at a depth. But when urea is to be topdressed while the crop is in the field, apply urea immediately after the irrigation water has percolated down the soil surface. Due to the heavy texture of the soil, water slowly keeps moving down and transports urea to a depth where it is safe from ammonia volatilization losses.

Kindly go through the attached publication of ours. It should make you more knowledgeable on this subject.

Also check https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ija/2020/2821678/

Simple immobilisation on account formation of calcium phosphate ,in addition to adsorption of phosphates on calcium carbonate particles of calcareous soils...

The dry matter content have a direct co-relation with the nutrient management. There are so many research articles, which will help you in assessing the impact of variation in nutrient management on dry matter and nutrient uptake.

Kindly check out my recently published chapter on SPSS, DSSAT & Random Forest Regression Models

Hi, could you send me your development on PDF format - Is sewage sludge permitted in organic farming as a source of nutrients ?

Of electronic:

Greetings

In case of STCR and IPNS the STCR is more suitable for plant as compare to IPNS for soil health.

before apply the nutrients to plant its more important to know about the fertility status of our field

Yes! Please see the following PDF attachment.

I agree with above respondent. But I suggest for site specific nutrient management based soil testing and integrated approach of nutrient management

@Jagadish, thanks for your nice analytical comments. Actually we have become too traditional. My request is to think beyond, think latest, think more precisely.

Thanks once again.

Sulphur, boron, molybdenum and zinc.

Curcumin (1,7-bis(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1,6-heptadiene-3,5-dione), also called diferuloylmethane, is the main natural polyphenol found in the rhizome of Curcuma longa (turmeric) and in others Curcuma spp. Proximate analysis shows nutrients like phosphorous , potassium , calcium and iron are involved...

Some interesting PDFs are enclosed for referal...

It's very important

Hi!

Are you talking about the Orange Flesh sweet potatoes (OFSP) or normal sweet potatoes? Because OFSP is a genetically improved variety that contain high level of beta-carotene sometimes comparable to carrots.

But talking of a nutrient inducing the biosynthesis of beta-carotene in normal potatoes!! That may be a research topic! Though some mineral elements are Always needed as enzymes cofactors during synthesis, but then the pathway should exist.

ICRISAT, CSRI and PD of consern crops.

Following

Rice Nitrogen Status( Plant Prod. Sci. 17(1): 81―92 (2014) )

Abstract: Plant-based diagnosis is one of the most important methods to determine nitrogen (N) content of crops. Our objective was to establish the relationship between soil-plant analysis development (SPAD) values and N nutrition index (NNI) during the three developmental stages of rice and apply the SPAD meter as diagnostic tools for predicting grain yield response to N fertilization. We determined the SPAD values of four uppermost fully expanded leaves of two rice cultivars at six N fertilization levels at three growth stages and examined the relationship between SPAD values and NNI. The critical N concentration (Nc) was 5.31 W–0.5 in Xiushui63, and 5.38 W–0.49 in Hang43, where W is the total shoot biomass. The correlation between SPAD value and NNI varied with the leaf position, developmental stage, and variety. The lower leaf appeared to be more sensitive to the N level than the upper leaf in the response of biomass, and could be more suitable as a test sample for N status diagnosis, especially in the booting and heading stage. The dependence of grain yield on SPAD values of the fourth fully expanded leaf (L4) was significant at booting stage (R2 L4 = 0.82** in 2011, R2 L4 = 0.72** in 2012). Ratio of SPAD values of L4 to that in the N-saturated plot (RSPAD) (R2 L4 = 0.92** in 2011, R2 L4 = 0.77** in 2012) and NNI (R2 = 0.96** in 2011, R2 = 0.86** in 2012) at booting stage demonstrated a closer relationship with grain yield. PDF enclosed for further reference...

I agree with Kulvir Singh in the inadvisability of applying nitrogen on soybean. Soybean is sensitive to low soil acidity if you can get a soil pH reading liming maybe one of your best options for optimizing soybean production. In relation to nutrient application the phosphorus is best applied close to the seeding area to stimulate early growth and rooting. The potassium is best applied at flowering to stimulate the translocation of photosynthetate into developing pods. In terms of micronutrients if the pH is right you might not have any issue at all. If in the vegetative stage you get chlorosis the type of micronutrient deficiency can be found by leaf tissue analysis. In alkaline soils iron and manganese deficiencies as well as zinc are possible. If you have accessibility of rock phosphate and you have an acid tendency soil I would suggest mixing vermicompost with phosphate as your starter fertilizer then use potassium at mid flowering. If you have any soil or leaf analysis I would be glad to give an assessment based on my experience.

PFA

SSNM CONTENT OF UTILITY

I agree with you Dr Tarafdar. If have to make an effective use of soil fertility variograms, we need to have crop nutrient requirement . And this information has to be soil, cultivar/ variety and desired yield specific....then only SSNM could be effectively use as a part  of precision nutrient management.We also have to  make distinction between nutrient uptake and nutrient removal..

Most of the studies have been done with regard to biochar originated from plant biomass. Application of biochar , especially in acid soils has proven more beneficial than alkaline soils.  hoever , there are  pressing documents to prove that biochars are equally effective in alkaline soils as well . Application of biochar invariably improves the adsorptive capacity of soils through enhancement of CEC of soils, therefore , better NUE can very well be anticipated. If it is acidic soils , it brings an improvement of soil pH , thereby ,  brings  conspicuous imprvoments in soil fertility plus biological soil properties as well. but , the most distinctive advantage of biochar as an physical amendment is the  provision of carbon contributing handsomely towards the non-labile fraction of soil SOC, as the carbon from biochar has maximum residence time compared to ant other form of organic residues including the organic manures... 

Here is another concept called 4R-nutrient Stewardship concept ..

The 4Rs of nutrient management— applying the right fertilizer source at the right rate at the right time and in the right place—easily summarize the increasingly complex fertility decisions that have to be made by CCAs and their farmer clients. In this issue, we take a look at how this concept is being implemented in the field.by By Tanner Ehmke, Crops & Soils magazine contributing writer

PDf enclosed for  further reading ...

Himanshu , have you tested their complimentarity , that they do not inhibit the activity of each other  over a period of time when studied in a consortium mode than they are independent to each other. Thats the most critical point in the efficiency of any microbial consortium ..? Unless this is tested , you can not declare a group of  microbes as consortium..? Rossiana has raised a valid point. 

Let me put up another response . Nitrogen leaching followed the similar pattern during the times of fertigation ( April -June) ..Here is PDF enclosed for further reading ..

Thanks Dr Biswas, sometimes the results of various agencies are contrasting so create confusion. Some of the agencies disseminate results with their selfish motive and interest, so may be misleading. IF A CENTRALIZED PLATFORM (PUBLIC-PRIVATE INTERACTION) is established with useful content for dissemination, farmers may start relying on the link/agency for agro-advisory inputs. We have to target in this direction, which is missing even in India too, although some successful regional platforms are available

regards

Seeing  a very meak response , let me trigger some discussion on such an interesting topic. Do you feel , that the major  types of nutrient interactions will undergo some basic changes , regardless of nutrient management strategy .... 

For example, if High phosphate induced zinc non-availability operational under conventional fertilization programe,  will vanish under INM strategy..?

Sir,

Division of Agricultural Physics, ICAR-IARI, New Delhi has developed online calculator for soil physical health assessment. You can visit the following website

Another bit more comprehensive one developed by Division of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, ICAR-IARI, New Delhi which can be found at the following website

After registration you can use that.

Most important is to know the feeder root zone of any crop , and this zone will not vary much , despite other favorable soil conditions,since it is more of genetically controlled than any other mechanical factors. Very often , there is strong effect of seasonality on feeder root distribution pattern . So , fertilizer application needs to be tuned according to seasonality of feeder root distribution pattern . Therefore , we will confine to such soil depth only , rather than worrying for other depths , where there are lesser proportion  of feeder roots , unnecessary adding to the fertilizer doses, with much reduced fertilizer -use-efficiency.

 Use of botanicals as a nutrient source is , infact , not so popular for alleviating nutrient deficiencies or as maintenance dose . Green manure is very popular practice with or without cover crops as popular practice of floor management , but i doubt , these practices could , anyway meet nutrient requirement of the crop  , could be possible for some ornamental plants..?

Andrea , thats a good point . but , this will only reveal the changes in nutrient density of different crops grown over the years. And , it will let you know , how  has this  happend , simply because of the nutrient mining . In some cases , the reduction in nutrient density has not been experienced , for example , in europe.

However , our most important and genuine concern is , how can we raise the nutrient density in edible plant parts . unfortunately , most of the edible plant parts are considered very poor sink for micronutrients ?. How can we produce /breed the crop varieties having higher nutrient -use-efficiency.   

 Hi

You can go to this profile of Prof. Avi Shaviv (he was my advisor). He has numerous articles regarding N cycle in agricultural soils:

Here are some of his publications:

Site-Specific Nutrient Management (SSNM) provides guidance relevant to the context of farmers’ fields. SSNM maintains or enhances crop yields, while providing savings for farmers through more efficient fertilizer use. By minimizing fertilizer overuse, greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced, in some cases up to 50%

KEY MESSAGES:

1 Site-Specific Nutrient Management (SSNM) optimizes the supply of soil nutrients over space and time to match crop requirements.

2 SSNM increases crop productivity and improves efficiency of fertilizer use.

3 SSNM mitigates greenhouse gases from agriculture in areas with high nitrogen fertilizer use.

4 Incentives for adoption of SSNM depend strongly on fertilizer prices.

Hi Sjoerd,

I hope the folowing artcles will be useful for you.

Best regards,

Noemi

Dr Anoop,

Thanks for providing the opportunity to be part of an important discussion.

Fertilizer recommendation in same soil type should be different for not only crop species, rather we should have it for different varieties of the same crop.

Regarding general fertilizer recommendation my views look absurd and may not be appreciated. Farmers' do regular monitoring for good production. It's not always the appropriate quantity or volume, but timely and efficient management of inputs that gives the best economic benefit, which is one of the main criteria for fertilizer prescription. So, the CARE is more important than precise applications. Can we think of fertilizer recommendation on the basis of soil physical condition (soil type as you mentioned, water retention/movement capacity, drainage and aeration status etc), soil biological environment (SOM, soil micro-flora which has been a topic of discussion in one of your questions, enzyme etc etc) and crop characteristics (root growth behaviour, shoot:root ratio, nutrient partitioning pattern etc)???

Thanks and regards to all.

Is there rapid field test available for diagnosing the microbial abundance of soil as indicator of soil health ? . Another problem , one may face is with regard to utmost sensitivity of soil microbes to any kind of input or even any adversity in climate , such microbe may undergo   changes in structural  and functional  diversity . there are so many soil health -related parameters , but we need to have a parameter which fairly stable over time and space , from  convenience in  evaluation  in field , and possibly in field 

Angamuthu , I am talking of any nono-fertilizer suitable as a nutrient source , if you dissolve it in water , the identity of that nano-size is lost since it is cent percent solubilized in water . On the other hand , you take any  commercial fertilizer ( For example ) , you dissolve it in water , it solubilized cent percent in water . Now compare the efficacy of two fertilizer sources ( Dissolved nano-size fertilizer or dissolved commercial fertilizer)as foliar spray , Do you feel which one will perform better?

Dear Mohamad Yadegari

Your need for supplementing oil palm will best be served by doing foliar analysis and comparing to optimized values for the stage of development.

For accurate foliar analysis you will need 20 leaflets to be dried and analyzed. Some people can judge this based on the leaf color and there are chlorophyll meters which can be useful.

The greatest use of Nitrogen is in peak stages of growth and care should be taken not to over amend with Nitrogen as the plant will be top heavy. Depending on the acidity of the soil you may want to change how you amend your plant for Nitrogen. With your foliar analysis you will also get insight on other critical elements which might not be optimized and it may suggest soil treatments for further plantings.

Your nutritional plan should always include the complete soil analysis and even water analysis if you irrigate and needs fluctuate depending on the changes of environmental conditions particularly rainfall which will cause leaching and denitrification.

thank you for your kindness.

best wishes

Off course , i am bit too late to respond to this question , but  better  late than  never . We in perennial crops recommend to undertake analyis for P,K,Mg  at an every alternate years.  Putting too many slag years, probably will put the  potential impact of  fertilization in a bit of jeopardy. We very frequently use leaf nalysis in conjunction with soil analysis for addressing these nutrients with regard to their budgeting.

A nutrient management strategy said to be effective has to be sustainable , Shashi. Which method of nutrient management is best with respect to quality production of crop  without incurring any potential mining of nutrient reserve of soil , means considering the overall  impact. And any practitioner of nutrient management would surely look at all these , with sustainability of the practice at the top.

Please look into the following paper:

Comparison of modified Mitscherlich and response plateau models for calibrating soil test nitrogen recommendations for rice on Typic ustochrept. K. Alivelu and others 

Communications in soil science and plant  analysis 11/2003 34,2633_2643

Dear Stefan,

                      If you get arable lands for sampling near the tram line in which agriculture is regularly practised and is in no way disturbed by other anthropogenic activities, you can collect samples. Most important is that your research design should be in the tune of your research objectives.

Good wishes.

Soumendu Chatterjee 

Hi,

You can find the review I made for radiata pine on page 182 of 'Sustainable Management of radiata pine plantations' FAO forestry paper 170'.  It is available on-line or can be downloaded through my Research Gate  site. In Table 10.2 the data is presented on  a mean annual basis, with the 'Other inputs' line being rainfall for P and cations.

Although there are many variables involved, stem-only harvesting is usually OK in the long term on many sites. Weathering rates, erosion, leaching losses and N fixation etc, as well as rainfall needs to be considered. Weathering is often more important than rainfall inputs for P and cations.

Some researchers have also developed models that can be run to see if there are trends over several rotations, but of course they are only so good as the data used to develop them and assumptions made. 

Don

Dr. Sunil,

My name is Emerson. I´m working at Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA). My collegue Dr. Israel Pereira Alexandre Filho is working with organic fertilizers in babycorn and can help you. Your mail adress is israel.pereira@embrapa.br.

Thanks