Very pertinent question Dr Rajakumar . This is the most practical issue indeed. Farmers think, about the utility of soil testing and possible fertilizer management based on the  recommendations of soil testing . But , their thinking simply goes begging for the simple reason , the lack of trust in the outcome of the soil test interpretation . Lack of well equipped soil testing laboratory , experienced personnel and the recommendation suiting to variety of crops. these are basic reasons , why farmers are unwilling to adopt soil test -based fertilizer recommendation , by and large .

Very pertinent question Dr Rajakumar . This is the most practical issue indeed. Farmers think, about the utility of soil testing and possible fertilizer management based on the  recommendations of soil testing . But , their thinking simply goes begging for the simple reason , the lack of trust in the outcome of the soil test interpretation . Lack of well equipped soil testing laboratory , experienced personnel and the recommendation suiting to variety of crops. these are basic reasons , why farmers are unwilling to adopt soil test -based fertilizer recommendation , by and large .

Dear Dr. Rajakumar,

I believe farmers are well aware of the value of soil testing in determining fertilizer needs and doses, and also about the economic benefit of soil test based fertilizer application. Interacting with hundreds of farmers in different fora like farmers training, farmers day, field visits, kisan mela, etc. I realized that it is due to

(1). non availability of soil testing labs and services in their neighbourhood/ areas,

(2). non availability of scientists/ subject matter specialists in their area to guide them or interpret soil test values,

(3). lack of knowledge/ skill among the farmers about correct method for collection and processing of soil samples. Improperly collected soil samples often give incorrect test values, therefore many times farmers do not notice real benefits of soil testing in their fields.

Keeping the above issues in mind, if our policy makers take necessary steps, farmers will definitely benefit from the soil testing based fertilizer application.

Thank you for initiating discussion on this important topic. 

Dr. Kundu, has really said it all, i believe farmers appreciate and do want to have soil tests conducted on their farms, however unavailability of portable easy to manoeuvre soil test kits, practical hands-on training and poor extension services especially in developing countries have been a bane to sustainable soil management practices by small holder farmers who are vastly domicilled in rural areas. If we want to encourage sustainable soil management practices, this need to change.

Endorsing some excellent comments from Dr Kundu , let me add some more ..

If soil testing  is an art , soil test interpretation is a much bigger art to translate capital into investment , evaluated by  magnitude of crop  response. And , let us not discuss the issue exclusively in Indian perspective..

Why are we not able to establish distinctive gains in  terms of  well defined state of art technology in many parts of the world , compared to other countries . I can still cite an example of Soil Health Card initiated way back in 1930/40s by Cornell university using only five soil parameters..

I will be grateful, if any one can share the modus operandi of successful Soil Testing Program backed up by the rigorous monitoring  after the implementation of recommendations of soil testing ...

All scientists,

Nice discussion and efforts. Pl  give the info on fertilizer technology, any new, feeding technology, any new, soil testing method insitu...?

Thanks

lack of awareness, importance & cost involved

Dear Scientists,

Are there any efforts /  works on increasing crop yields  through soil health management by considering village as a whole?

Thanks

Yes, Dr. Rajakumar, under the Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) of the Govt of India, our institute has initiated promotion of soil-test based fertilizer use in crop production in selected tribal villages of Nadia district in West Bengal (India). Under this scheme, tribal farmers of select villages have been given hand-on training in soil testing. Portable soil testing kits have been distributed to the selected farmer groups. Few villages under Haringhata Block in Nadia district have started using those kits for assessing soil fertility of their fields, and using fertilizers at required doses. Our extension staff is assisting them in interpretation of test results and recommendation of fertilizers. This has helped farmers in increasing crop yields with judicious use of fertilizers. 

Dr Rajakumar and other colleagues , if you say , whether or not, soil is essential , there cant be two opinions about its utility, undoubtedly and blindly  YES . However , the bigger question is , are we in a position to implement soil test -based fertilizer recommendations for a variety of crops grown on either  same or variety of soils ,  either  in a given village or  block...? 

Anoop Sir,

Yes.  It is possible to implement STFR for a crop in a region.  I think during first year we need to categorize yield levels in a village into three classes (L / M / H) along with initial soil analysis and correlate yield with soil properties. Identify which  soil property has higher relation (+/-) that needs to be given more attention.  Steps have to be taken to improve that property to enhance the yield.  For example available P and Org,C are the two most important properties in that region controlling the yield levels keeping others at normal level.  Then the farmer has to go for addition of 25% extra of  these along with other recommended dosages.  This practice has to be followed by low yield obtaining farmers.   

A project on this at National level ,may be planned to enhance the yield levels of a village as a whole just by STFR keeping other inputs as best.

Thanks.

This is one of the reasons , why is there an unprecedented imbalance  in fertilizer use when analysed across crops and soil types , besides the crop yields obtained in preceding years. Where does our current understanding on soil test -based fertilizer recommendation stand ..?. Are we technically in a position to bring into practice the recommendation of soil testing ..? The accessability and interpretation of soil test report are the two  major handicaps in smooth implementation of soil testing , atleast in this subcontinent , southeast Asia, contrary to one of the finest works initiated by Cornell university , a model program...

Dear Scientists,

Is it possible to coat a fertilizer band on seeds ? On addition of moisture to the soil the nutrients should be available to the crop throughout !  You may say that it may be possible for coarse seeds.  Through Nano technology it may be applied to fine seeds also.  Please give me work refrences if such works are done elsewhere.

Nice prospect , you have suggested Dr Rajakumar . We can practice this , like coating the rhizobium slurry or slurry of any othe rmicorbes on seeds to have betetr germination and onward growth . Likewsie coating nano- particles of Zn-fertilizer  or any other      f ertilizers , could be a  strong possibility , i suppose so...

i think , our discussion has gone a off - track  a bit , when we consider the central theme of the discussion ...

Lets come to the main issue, friends...

Sir,

Farmers are not showing much interest for soil testing as they do for getting best seeds, and control of pest and diseases. So we have to think how best we can solve the nutrient needs of the crops.  Seed companies if they do the coating of nutrients on seeds before packing it is possible to address the basal dose.  Only top dressing of nutrients that to in small extent  and deficient one may be planned.  In this respect I floated the concept.

Good  out  point , simply out of box ,  Dr Rajakumar , but nutrient coating of seeds , not too sure , how will it respond , once put into the soil ; how does it exert osmotic effects about the required nutrients for even germination to begin with..and then; shelf life of seeds in terms of vitality of seeds , yet another issue to reckon with...

Sir,

Good points to discuss. I  request other scientists to interact on this.

I will also pool the info and put later

Thanks

Despite so much utility of soil test -based recommendation , farmers continue to apply fertilizers annually what they used to apply in the past .  We are hugely accountable for lack of trust  in recommendations based on  soil test reports...

the main reason for that especially in developing countries due to the lack of such equipment, incorrect values as general for testing values which means a mislead guide for farmers, such test high costs compared with low revenue from crops marketing .