Soil Testing Scenario in India and Its Significance in the Balanced Use of Fertilisers
Hari Mohan Meena *
Department of Soil Science and Agriculture Chemistry, GKVK, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore (UAS) (B), Karnataka-65, India
R. P. Sharma
Department of Soil Science, Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya (CSKHPKV), Palampur, Himachal Pradesh, India
Roohi .
Department of Soil Science and Agriculture Chemistry, GKVK, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore (UAS) (B), Karnataka-65, India
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Soil testing is employed for quick characterisation of the inherent fertility status of soils and predicting the nutrient requirements of crops. Soil testing is guiding the farmers regarding the balanced and judicious use of the fertilisers, which ultimately reduces the overall costs and finally mitigate the consequences of the global warming. Proper soil sampling techniques must be demonstrated to the farmers for having more meaningful results by adopting which more desirable results will be achieved. Soil sampling will be the ultimate gadget which surely improves the livelihoods of the farmers by reducing the dose of fertilisers as we have to feed the crop but not the soil.
Keywords: Soil testing, fertility status of soil, soil health and balance nutrition