To reduce the use of chemical fertilizers, preventing deterioration of soil health, environment and contamination of groundwater. Crop rotation to be maintained and good grazing management for livestock producers and to control drainage.

Reasonable crop rotation, increasing the application of organic fertilizer, planting green fertilizer plants and so on.

@ Suneel, to increase nutrient use efficiency, mobilize native nutrients, use organic and nanofertilizers, apply on foliar mode as much as possible for direct absorption.

Legume cover crop rotation and recycling crop residues, minimizing tillage in essence following the three principles of conservation agriculture would be a pathway to reduce fertilizer use.

Agreed my learned colleagues, but nutrient depletion to deficiency levels should not be encouraged. In some locations, the choice of fertiliser is less important than the leakiness of the soil that leads to contamination of ground water.

Yes, Paul. We need to first meet crop demands. Reducing the fertilizer use should be an option where the soils are having sufficient levels of nutrients to sustain crop growth. But most often this is not the case.

Crop yields would decline if we reduce the fertilizer use.

By using organic manure, plant residue left over after composting, biofertilizers, biostimulators, and biochar, we can cut back on the use of chemical fertilizers

Dear authors

Reducing fertilizer consumption can be approached through various

strategies aimed at improving efficiency and optimizing nutrient use. Here are several methods:

By implementing these strategies, farmers can reduce fertilizer consumption while maintaining or even improving crop yields and minimizing environmental impacts.

Si se trata de reducir el uso de fertilizantes químicos, creo que podemos ir lentos pero seguros, empezando por aquellos cultivos de menor costo de producción como es el caso de leguminosas de grano que tiene rendimientos bajos pero menos costo de producción y luego recién abordar cultivos de mayor impacto económico como son los frutales, para suplir las fuentes de nitrógeno y fosforo y algo de potasio tenemos el guano de islas de ley ( 10-10-2) , como fuente de potasio tenemos, a la vinaza con 8 a 15 % de potasio, para calcio tenemos las fuentes baratas pero poco solubles como el yeso agrícola, para el magnesio esta la sal de Epsom ( sulfato de magnesio 16% de MgO ) solo molida después de extraída de las minas , son algunas opciones viables junto al uso de microorganismos solubilizadores de fosforo potasio, magnesio y microelementos.

Dear Suneel Kumar

Reducing fertilizer consumption is important for environmental sustainability and minimizing negative impacts on ecosystems. Here are several strategies to achieve this:

ü Precision Agriculture: Precision agriculture techniques involve using technology such as GPS, sensors, and drones to apply fertilizers more precisely, targeting specific areas of fields that require nutrients rather than blanket applications. This reduces over-application and wastage of fertilizers.

ü Soil Testing and Nutrient Management Planning: Conducting regular soil tests to assess nutrient levels and adopting nutrient management planning helps farmers apply fertilizers only where and when they are needed. This prevents excessive application of fertilizers and ensures that crops receive the appropriate nutrients for optimal growth.

ü Cover Cropping and Crop Rotation: Implementing cover cropping and crop rotation practices can improve soil health and fertility naturally, reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers. Cover crops add organic matter to the soil, improve soil structure, and fix nitrogen from the atmosphere, while crop rotation helps break pest and disease cycles and maintains nutrient balance in the soil.

ü Use of Organic and Natural Fertilizers: Organic fertilizers, such as compost, manure, and organic amendments, provide nutrients to plants while also improving soil health and structure. Additionally, natural fertilizers such as rock phosphate and guano can supplement nutrient needs in a more sustainable manner compared to synthetic fertilizers.

ü Biological Nitrogen Fixation: Utilizing biological nitrogen fixation through leguminous cover crops, intercropping, and inoculation of legume crops with nitrogen-fixing bacteria (e.g., Rhizobia) can reduce the need for synthetic nitrogen fertilizers by harnessing natural processes to supply nitrogen to crops.

ü Integrated Nutrient Management: Adopting integrated nutrient management approaches that combine organic and inorganic fertilizers with other nutrient sources, such as crop residues, green manures, and biofertilizers, can optimize nutrient use efficiency and reduce reliance on synthetic fertilizers.

ü Agroecological Practices:Agroecological farming practices, such as agroforestry, conservation agriculture, and polyculture, promote nutrient cycling, soil fertility, and biological diversity, reducing the need for external inputs like fertilizers while maintaining or increasing crop productivity.

ü Education and Extension Services: Providing farmers with education, training, and extension services on nutrient management practices and sustainable farming techniques can help increase awareness and adoption of practices that reduce fertilizer consumption while maintaining or improving crop yields.

By implementing these strategies, farmers can reduce fertilizer consumption, minimize environmental impacts, and improve the sustainability of agricultural systems.