Managing nutrients is referred to as the 4Rs: Right rate, Right timing, Right source, and Right placement. Consistent use of the 4Rs will help prevent excess nutrient loss from agricultural fields into surface and ground water resources. Nutrient management refers to the efficient use of crops to improve productivity. It is necessary to balance the soil nutrient input with the crop requirement. If the nutrients are applied at the right time and in adequate quantities, optimum crop yield is obtained. Efficient use of nutrients can be achieved by the adoption of best nutrient management practices (BMPs). BMPs include selecting the right fertilizer product and applying the right amount at the right time and place to match plant needs and reduce nutrient losses. It is generally agreed that there are ten fundamental components of a crop nutrient management plan. Each component is critical to helping analyze each field and improve nutrient efficiency for the crops grown. Specifically, in the Indian soils, nutrient use efficiency (NUE) is very low. It varies from 30 to 50% for nitrogen (N), 15 to 20% for phosphorus (P), 60 to 70% for potassium (K), 8 to 10% for sulphur (S), and 1 to 2% for micronutrients. Deep placement of fertilizer, along with foliar feeding of nitrogen through spraying of nitrogenous fertilizer in place of top dressing should be done in case of dry lands. Addition of organic manures or green manuring should be done at least once in 3-5 years. Fertilizer efficiency in these soils is profoundly influenced by fertilizer placement and timing. Salinity, acidity, elemental deficiencies, and toxicities, and low organic matter content are some of the major chemical constraints.

Start the drive for nutrient efficency with a thorough soil analysis and mapping.

Soil acidity and alkalinity play key roles in the nutrient availability.

Applying when and where nutrients are needed giving critical nutrients at critical timing.

Understand the influence of soil organic matter to cropping success.

Starter fertilizer can give effective results with lower application rates.

Keep legumes emphasized in the crop rotation and recycle manures and residues back to the fields.

Time supplemental nitrogen to the grand period of vegetative growth and make the application based on nitrate levels in the soil.

Focus on Phosophorus for the starter and potassium for grain fill or tuber development.

Use seed and foliar treatment to imporve effiency and effect of micronutrients whose need is confirmed from foliar analysis.

Thanks Dr Paul Reed Hepperty Ji for participating in the discussion.

Soil management practices like balanced fertilization, application of amendments and integrated nutrient management, inclusion of legumes in crop rotation, mulching with crop residues and tillage influences the nutrient use efficiency. Nutrient management refers to the efficient use of crops to improve productivity. It is necessary to balance the soil nutrient input with the crop requirement. If the nutrients are applied at the right time and in adequate quantities, optimum crop yield is obtained. Nutrient management is the act of controlling the amount, source, timing, and technique of nutrient application to maximize agricultural output while reducing nutrient losses that might result in nutrient application environmental issues. Nutrient cycles restore ecosystems to the equilibrium state, and therefore play an important role in keeping the ecosystem functioning. All organisms, living and non-living depend on one another. Nutrient cycles link living organisms with non-living organisms through the flow of nutrients. BMPs are primarily used to modify land management practices on croplands, specifically those focused on reducing erosion and nutrient runoff. These practices can help to directly protect drinking supplies, as well as help to protect animal habitat, fisheries and agricultural uses such as irrigation and stock watering. Nutrient use efficiency refers to the ability of crops to take up and utilise nutrients for optimal yields, therefore, the concept involves three major processes in plants: uptake, assimilation, and utilization of nutrients.

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