Dear Gaurav,

Indo-Gangetic plains physiographic division of India is the most fertile region of the country represented by the alluvial soils. Hence intensive agriculture is practiced in the region. Farmers use chemical fertilizers on large scale to enhance the crop yield in this  region. Urea is the most commonly used nitrogenous fertilizer to get increased yield of crops like wheat and paddy. Continuous use of urea is indeed destroying the soil quality of this region.

Sincerely,

Dr. Arvind Singh

Is it continuous use of urea alone , or fertilization more tilted towards greater use of urea compared to other two P-and K-sources, coupled with  unattended multiple micronutrient deficiencies and   long standing conventional cropping sequence ..? 

I still maintain , as long as fertilization is balanced ., regardless of crops(s)/cropping sequence , soil health ( how shall we define it to evaluate in  the aftermath of urea..?) , should it be an  issue..?

Do we have any spatio-temporal data of Indo-gangetic plain featuring soil health parameters  practicing a crop sequence , to establish these claims..?

The use urea with out other nutrients  balanced and focused without  other micronutrients is problematic for starters this will lead to soil acidity issues in the long term without counter practices.  Urea fertilized iand without a liming program could lead to soil acidification and the decrease in soil organic matter level  a potentially deadly two edged sword. .

Considering the danger of soil acidification attention needs to be given to soil pH. The use of lime which is Calciitic should be employed in areas of pH less than 5.7 with no Magnesium deficiency.

In case of low Magnesium Dolomitic limestone would be appropriate  in areas where the soil test for Magnesium is less than 100.

In the case of perceived need for "urea we need to consider the use of legumes in rotation for supplying Nitrogen needs with less acidification and the return of compost and manure to maintain and increase soil organic matter.

Our soil pH goal should be about pH 6.3 to 6.5 making incremental addition of lime with measuring soil pH not to over lime.

When these practices are followed the Nitrogen requirement can be supplied more cost effectively and the soil organic matter can be maintained and increase.

In relation to soil organic matter the use of legumes and compost are the best management practices.

Focus the rotation around the legume and return manures as composts is highly effective in combating acidity generation.

Liming remediates existing problems and substitution of legume and use of compost prevent recurrence.

The best use of manure is in compost.

Finally the full soil analysis is needed to target toxicities as well and excesses and when these are addressed crop performance is enhanced. 

Remember that avoiding the generation of problems and issues is superior to correcting them after the fact.  

Dear Gaurav Singh

Good question and very good discussion. Here I refer one paper at Rotham Stead Agri Farm that was continued for about  25 years (1924-1950) regarding the effects of synthetic fertilizers on soil physical and chemical properties. It was concluded that application of balanced fertilizers did not show adverse effects on soil and crop production in this long term study.

A similar study was conducted at Farm of Pb Agri Univ, Ludhiana by soil scientists. They maintained two controls; one Fertilizer and FM control, and other Fertilizer control. Findings were very similar to the above study.

I mean to say that balanced fertilizer application is almost harmless. Promotion of this practice needs lot of emphasis on the part of researchers,planners and farmers without any further loss of time. 

At the same time we should admit that in resource poor developing nations, the researchers, extension workers and farmers can just speak, write and /or go on agitation. Whole of the control lies with the governments and planners. If they are convinced to act upon for development and promotion, they can change the scenario overnight. Very clear example of development of Malaysia we can analyze in this respect.

Very interesting feedback Dr Ghafoor . The production sustainability of famous rice-wheat cropping sequence on Indo-gangetic plains of northern India turned  out to be the dominant region contributing handsomely towards the  cereal basket of India , is sustained for so long years through use of urea or urea plus other chemical fertilizers. The key factor is the balance in fertilization . Soils will sustain the necessary soil health ( Like microbial biomass ,  micorbial diversity , soil enzymes etc ..) even under consistent use of chemical fertilizers , needless to say , most of the processes associated with nutrient availability in soil is microbial-driven . 

I support the opinion of Paul Reed Hepperly that in relation to soil organic matter the use of legumes and compost are the best management practices, even for the best agricultural practice. We should have started to follow sustainable agriculture, especially if you worry in destroying soil quality by applying more and more Urea

Dear Gaurav,

We all are aware of Law of Conservation of Mass. This is the basis of all the matter cycling on the earth, including the nutrients e.g. N, P and K.

If you look carefully, you will observe that N > K > P is the sequence of their mobility. In other words, this is the sequence of speed of their cycling within the earth system.

Ecosystem degradation is caused by N, P and K, but N being the most mobile, causes the largest detectable harm.

And, not only Indo-Gangetic Plains but all soils undergo degradation due to overuse of N based fertilization. This happens because N affects soil microflora and microfauna in most direct manner.

Regards,

MKD

Indo-Gangetic belt is one of the fertile belt of the country. The impact of green revolution and intensive agriculture is a feature of the region. Agricultural researchers always recommend the balance application for sustaining soil health and Productivity. But, practically not happening. 1. Richness of the soil,  2. High cost of other nutrients and their availability on time., 3. Low MSP of most of the agricultural commodity, there by more dependent on the soil, 4. Poor understanding of the farmers regarding soil health sustainability. 

We need to sustain the soil to sustain productivity and Ecology. Application of urea is as such not harmful if we balance the C:N ratio and organic matter of the soil at optimum level. The ill effects of N is more apparent where C is not returned to soil. Once soil reduces organic content, sole urea application has deltorious effects on soil health. The country is vast. Eg. We are growing rice for some benefits, where rice need not to be grown using excess N and water.

The niche crops should be promoted as per their adaptation and geographical distribution. This will produce enough and at the same time productivity and Ecology can be maintained and man made pollution can be reduced to the extent possible. 

We need to have a strong policy and it's implementation. Researchers must give technology based on geographical needs, and not that getting something done and asking some other to implement it. 

I do agree with you Dr Mahapatra , though we recommend balanced fertilization , but practically not happening . Dont you feel , somewhere we distinctively lack  about the tangible modules of monitoring and  evaluation strategy as a part of policy matter..? 

Yes Dr Mahapatra i am totally agree with you, even if government promotes soil health cards and provided  fertilizer recommendation on the basis of their soil fertility status, the choice of fertilizer application for most of the farmers are on the basis of their purchase capacity and not on the basis of actual recommendation, and this practice will destroy their soil productivity for next generation. Always imbalance application of the chemical fertilizer cause harm to the soil biological, chemical and physical properties. Dr Franklin D. Roosevelt says that “A nation that destroys its soils destroys itself."  This is the time to think that what natural resources we received from our ancestors and what actual condition we are going to left of our next generations.       

A very vital questions has been raised here. However, luckily the situation has improved now and P, K and micro nutrients additions are now part of agronomic practices, though not to the extent these are required. This struggle of researchers and extension workers is to be still strengthened and teaching of farmers is still to be continued so that loss occurred in the early period is recovered.  

I try to read your area which covered by IGP, this area  have high climatic variation which affect nutrient mobility. Regarding Urea application, Nitrogenous fertilizer remain the ''King among others'' , but its excessive use eventually leading to soil degradation and ground water pollution. Though excessive use of Urea is mainly manged in the states having strong irrigation practices.

  "Urea, being the most common nitrogenous (N) fertilizer, is indiscriminately used irrespective of scientific prescriptions. Its excessive use leads to several adverse implications on soil, crop quality and overall eco-system" / Source:B S Dwivedi, Head of the soil science and agriculture chemistry division of the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI)/

For example like organic plus inorganic fertilizer mixed crop based Balanced Fertilizer

In Indo-Gangetic alluvial soils the predominant crops grown wheat,rice,maize sugarcane etc., are highly nitrogen responsive and the farmers can see the spectacular response on crops.The nitrogen is also a cheaper source because of subsidy provided by Govt.Over the years the farmers realized the need for P and P fertilizer use has increased,except in the last five years or so because of escalation in P fertilizer prices.The potassium fertilizer use is much less especially in Punjab and Haryana states.Much of imbalance in fertilizer use is because of K.The commonly used ammonium acetate method did not detect the soil K depletion in the alluvial soils.Researchers have highlighted the large removals of K by crops,and the decreases in nonexchangeable K.But soil test methods based on nonexchangeable are not introduced in Soil Testing Laboratories.There is need for creating awareness among farmers about K depletion  in their soils and future consequences on crop yields and yield sustainability.A method to measure nonexchangeable K need to be identified,standardized and introduced in STLs.

I endorse your view point Dr. Suba Rao.

It appears that there is a dire need to document the type and nature  of degradation that are caused by continuous use of N fertilizers in the IGP areas. However there are areas where application of adequate amount of N fertilizers is not  done by farmers and it is not a small area in the IGP. A good review can possibly help us to flag this point to the policy makers for a solution.

Yes, Dalip Kumar! we should document it quantitatively.

Balance fertilization with organic management, in any form would be helpful in sustaining productivity of IGP. Apart from this, excessive rice cultivation be avoided to restrict use of water. 

Good practical view of Bikas.

Dear Dr. Nazir, the country is big. The green revolution so called came through IGP. That was need of that time. We must not forget geographical niches and their distribution and adaptation of crops. Rice in particular is forcefully cultivated in many areas where it should not have been. We must regroup crops and Cropping Systems for sustainability and Productivity. County got enough area for rice. Avoiding rice would help sustainable management of water, and niche crops productivity could be increased. Long term planning is the need of the hour. Policy makers are totally ignorant about this. We need to have stable MSP for all the crops, then only can influence farmers. 

Dr Mahapatra , the sustainability of rice-wheat cropping system on IGP is undoubtedly established . Of late , we started debating about the sustainability of the same system . The question is whether , it is  due to the contribution  of application of higher proportion of N in relation to P and K  , means fertilizer is more tilted in favour of N than P and K. To what an extent , you account so called unsustainability  of rice-wheat cropping sequence to faulty fertilizer practices? 

No doubt the balance fertilization with organic management would be helpful in sustaining productivity of IGP. But I do not agree with the statement of excessive rice cultivation be avoided in IGP. So far rice-rice cultivation in IGP has increased SOC stock leading to better health.

Only last week I could publish a review - Are nitrogen fertilizers deleterious to soil health? I am attaching its copy. My analysis very clearly reveals that fertilizer N applied as per need of the crop (optimum dose), in balanced proportion with P and K and along with organic manures (what ever is available with the farmer) does not adversely affect soil health. I would suggest all of you kindly go through the attached paper and then write your views.

The pressure on Indo-Gangetic plain is huge in reference to the National production of the rice and wheat. Majority of the farmers applying N in huge quantity with some P and K. Huge removal of nutrients in rice - wheat system leads continuous break down of organic matter both native and what ever is added not only for the need of N but, for other elements also . The loss of organic matter resulting loss of soil health.

Secondly the time has come to rethink whether Punjab and Haryana to continue with rice cultivation. Are these areas niche for rice. Huge planning and implementations required to regroup the crops according to their geographical niches. This may and will evade the soil health problems with time.

No doubt at one time it was the need of the country. Now the needs are soil health, environmental factors etc. Blaming N nutrition not going to solve soil health problems.

Issues related to ammoniated fertilizer include the acidification of production fields, the stimulation of diseases and pests favored by unbalanced plant nutrition, the high carbon footprint of the production practice, the issues with water quality and the health and environment, and its role for stimulating degradation of soil organic matter resources. When the crop rotation focuses on producing the cereal crop from the nitrogen of legumes all these issues can be greatly reduced. The nutrition needed for highly productive cropping can be provided by the strategic use of legumes crops as rotational crops and by the use of manures returned as composts. Mixed plant and animal agriculture can be particularly useful in improving soil quality and crop nutrition.

Considering different kinds of suggestions given by a number of experts, I feel that solution lies in empowering the farmers with right kind of knowledge regarding fertilizer management in the IGP. When farmers understand the risks involved in unbalanced use of N, P and K, or not returning enough organic matter to the fields or not following crop rotations with legumes or applying urea more than what is needed, they will follow the right kind of management practices. Only then soil health can be maintained.

Thanks Dr. Bijay Singh. We are the people to give the right kind of knowledge along with expertise and experiences of the farmers, not only in IGP but in every sphere of Agriculture and it's Allied practices.

It's very difficult for any sector to pull out farmers from the rice - wheat system of the IGP as it's outcome dictates food security along with assured MSP to farmers.

Imbalances in fertilizer use will continue as long as the farmers are not getting remunerative prices of their produce. Secondly, we are short of pulse production. Even then farmers of IGP prefers wheat over pulses, due to the MSP of wheat and risks involved with pulse crops.

Residue management in rice - wheat system is a probability to bring back organic matter into the system. However, it requires huge outlay in agriculture development, what has not happened.

Not only balanced NPK, but we need to give due importances to crop nutrition in totality.

Area specific crop nutrients requirements and fertilizer availability along with organic matter addition should be included in policy making.

A very little approaches have been taken only with zincated urea or S and Zinc fertilizers.

In agriculture system we talk about agony of small and marginal farmers. Same is true conditions for agriculture comparing other sectors in the country.

We need to work hard for the empowerment of Agriculture in general for food security and sustainability, keeping environment and Ecology into consideration. Where the soil is destroyed, the nation is destroyed.

In this context, IGP needs huge attention with respect to crop production, fertility management and sustainability.

Thanks Dr. Bijay Singh. We are the people to give the right kind of knowledge along with expertise and experiences of the farmers, not only in IGP but in every sphere of Agriculture and it's Allied practices.

It's very difficult for any sector to pull out farmers from the rice - wheat system of the IGP as it's outcome dictates food security along with assured MSP to farmers.

Imbalances in fertilizer use will continue as long as the farmers are not getting remunerative prices of their produce. Secondly, we are short of pulse production. Even then farmers of IGP prefers wheat over pulses, due to the MSP of wheat and risks involved with pulse crops.

Residue management in rice - wheat system is a probability to bring back organic matter into the system. However, it requires huge outlay in agriculture development, what has not happened.

Not only balanced NPK, but we need to give due importances to crop nutrition in totality.

Area specific crop nutrients requirements and fertilizer availability along with organic matter addition should be included in policy making.

A very little approaches have been taken only with zincated urea or S and Zinc fertilizers.

In agriculture system we talk about agony of small and marginal farmers. Same is true conditions for agriculture comparing other sectors in the country.

We need to work hard for the empowerment of Agriculture in general for food security and sustainability, keeping environment and Ecology into consideration. Where the soil is destroyed, the nation is destroyed.

In this context, IGP needs huge attention with respect to crop production, fertility management and sustainability.