In the era of sustainability, soil test based fertilizer approach is one of the viable options for the dynamic adjustment of nutrients based on soil fertility status. Even though STCR based SSNM concept emerged in the early 1960's and a lot of research has been done on food grains and cereal crops, why that kind of research has not implemented in flower crops till now. How far it is worthful if we follow in flower crops too???
You are dead right Lakshmi . Horticultural crops are not mandated under NRM division of ICAR. And soil scientists working under Hort. Div., you can count them on fingers . Flower crops , I do not think , its worth trying , for the simple reason , its not so much nutrient extracting compared to fruits and vegatables to some extent .
STCR based SSNM concept is still theory at farmers' level even in field crops also. Awareness of soil testing and importance of application of chemical fertilizers and organics (INM) need to be created round the year. However, majority plantation crops like tea, Coffee, Arecanut etc are provided with nutrients based on STCR based SSNM concept. Planters collect soil sample and get them analysed on charge basis at Coffee Board and Tea Board. High valued and controlled conditions flowers like anthurium,orchids and jerbara are grown probably based on SSNM.
Salakinkop, these flowers are basically grown under protected conditions , where except fertigation , no SSNM like concept is possible . Can you please share with me any work on flowers using SSNM concept .
Lakshmi , find a good review article for your reference please.
Ms.Lakshmi, STCR Experimental design is somewhat elaborate with more treatments. It is not only difficult to layout the experiment but to continue for more years.Even the responses may not be spectacular like field crops.STCR approach has been successfully used for vegetable crops and some horticulture crops from Kerala like ginger, tapioca and banana. Karnataka has well implemented STCR recommendations in Irrigated crops and received honour at National level.
Thank you SubbaRao Sir and Salakinkop ji for your kind response
Dr. Anoop ji, Thank you for the Review paper.
I do agree the reason given by you for the query...but in India, most of the Loose flower crops and some cut flowers like Gladiolus are cultivated in open field conditions. They do produce more biomass. Unfortunately, the exact estimate of nutrient use and imbalance under flower crops is not available but definitely it may be highly negative for most of the nutrients.
Ms.Lakshmi, one can use STCR approach for flowers if they are grown under field conditions like vegetable crops.
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