Plant Nutrition

Back to Plant Nutrition

NUTRIENT CONFUSION:

1.    INTRODUCTION
2.    THE ISSUES
3.    SOLUTIONS
4.    CONCLUSION

1. INTRODUCTION:
Having entered the field of Rural Development about 9 years ago, we were shocked to find that the agricultural practices were outdated and indeed harmful. The situation is further compounded by the existence of a veritable Mafia that is merrily looting the public while selling outdated and indeed banned items. The need is pressing and a High visibility campaign is required to spread the message of alternate means of increased Agricultural Production that is sustainable and avoids harm to the Eco-Systems. At the same time we need to bring down input costs without harming the quality of the produce. Only Grade A, Export Quality Produce will be the answer to Pakistans problems in the Economic field. Having realized this point I have made determined efforts to find a practicable solution to the present impasse. The following is a brief that details the problems as well as their solutions.

2. THE ISSUES:
The issues that we are faced with are as follows:

a. Low yields:
     It is well known that our yields are miserable as compared with those of other countries. Even our traditional enemy across the border has a much better yield record.

b. Poor quality:
     The quality of our produce is not at all up to the mark and is certainly not fit for export.

c. High Input Costs:
     The use of inefficient and unstable mineral fertilizers has directly led to increasing pest attacks. This calls for further inputs in the form pesticides.

d. Environmental Degradation:
     By using unstable mineral fertilizers and Pesticides we have polluted the atmosphere, soil and ground water.

e. Dead Biota:
     One major consequence of pollution is to have killed the flourishing microbial life in the soil.
f. Increasing Alkalinity: The soil pH in the Punjab has risen to almost 9. This ties down most of the nutrients in the soil and makes them unavailable to the plant.

g. Poor quality seed:
     The question of plant nutrition arises after we use Certified seed. This is not available to the poor farmers.

h. Poor Marketing:
     The stranglehold of the Aarthi ensures that 40 % of the profit in agricultural produce goes to him while only 25 % gets to the farmer.

i. Lack of Processing/ Storage Facilities:
    Produce processing and cold storage leaves much to be desired. This effects the quality of already poor quality produce.

j. Lack of Skills:
     Our poor farmers sorely lack the requisite Agricultural and Horticultural Skills that will enable them to grow High Quality Produce.

While this list can go on it will suffice to deal with them here and now!

3. SOLUTIONS:

a. Yields:
     Understanding of the plants requirements at particular stages of growth and the role played by each mineral; compound and hormone is of prime importance in order to achieve maximum potential from our crops. Behavior of various chemicals and their subsequent deterioration in the soils due to exposure to other elements show that a large percent of fertilizers are literally being wasted. Secondly inappropriate timings and quantities of inorganic fertilizers are contributing to decrease rather than increased yields. For example loading the plants with unstabilized Urea at the early stage of development leads to vegetative growth that may appear good but in fact drains nutrients away from flowers and fruit as well as leads to lodging problems. As we are concerned with the fruit rather than the leaves and branches it is more important to develop the root system at this stage rather than the foliage. Secondly method, timing and quantity of application is also important. Foliar sprays reduce fertilizer requirements upto 1/3rd. Banding and placing of Nutrients reduce quantities required as well as deny nutrients to weeds growing between rows. Seed treatment provides badly needed nutrients when the plant is young and has yet to develop the root system. The entire future of the plant is determined in the first 15 days of growth; this can only be achieved by seed treatment.

b. QUALITY:
    Plants require Macro, Secondary and MicroNutrients in varying quantities in order to produce high quality fruit. Absence of any or a combination of these nutrients leads to poor quality. Some of these nutrients are chronically lacking in Pakistans soils or are present in chemical forms that are unavailable to the plant. Thus it is important to get them to the plant. For example Pakistans soils are calcareous. Our "experts" consider that due to this, Calcium is not required to be provided to the plants. Sodium salts fill up the uptake passages of the plant and deny access of valuable nutrients. However use of Calcium Chloride by the author has shown remarkable results. This is due to the fact that the double positive charge on Calcium repelled the single positive charged Sodium and allowed uptake by the plant. When Urea is introduced to the plant it requires immediate assimilation in order to avoid toxicity. To do this Calcium is sucked out of the plants cell walls and used in the reduction process. This causes the plants cell walls to leak nutrients and provides a trail for soil borne pests. Secondly over build up of Amino acids in the plants leaves provides a scent source for flying insects.

c. INPUT COSTS:
     Just as a well-nourished child can fight off disease and viral attacks so too can a well-nourished plant. The immune system works admirably well. Additionally some products can stimulate the immune system. Thirdly with proper nutrition the plant does not create over large amounts of amino acids nor does nutrition leak. This fact disallows insect attack. We have practically observed this in a number of various crops. Thus firstly the added cost of pesticides is cut down. Secondly added yields offset input costs. Thirdly with local formulation of Hi Tec materials costs can be controlled. If we expect to get sustainable and high yields we will have to provide the correct nutrition and this costs money. However the introduction can be phased with increasing yields. Farmers in Developed Countries expect at least 1 to 5 input/output ratio. Sad to say our small farmers are dealing with a 1 to 0.80 input/output ratio. The only factor that is keeping them going is payment of input on credit and receipt of output in cash. There is no shortcut to progress nor do magic solutions work.

d. ENVIRONMENT:
     It is important to remember that farming is not a natural activity. It is an adaptation by mankind. Experience has found that we can either work with and close to nature by understanding its requirements or work against nature or perish. The prevailing myth of farming with manure and calling it Organic is just a myth. The elements required by a plant are inorganic whether they are carried by organic material or otherwise. Conversion to organic form is carried out by the plant and not by Bacteria. The damage is done by not understanding the chemistry of the materials that we use. Hydrolysis; Volatilization; Leaching; Chemical Antagonism; Unstable elements; High pH of soils and resultant tying up of nutrients; Effects of weather extremes these are the real villains. Once we understand the language of the plant and the soil we are in a much better position to deal with them in accordance with the requirements of Nature and thus avoid Eco-catastrophe.

e. BIOTA:
     disallowing the introduction of destructive chemicals such as Artificial Pesticides; Herbicides; fungicides; Weedicides etc can preserve microbial life. There are quite a few Natural elements; compounds and Microbes that can be used for these purposes that effectively dispose off the problem and yet are safe for microbial life as well as environmentally safe. We must switch over to their use.

f. ALKALINITY:
     Sodium content of impounded water rises considerably due to evaporation in the lakes. Secondly run off may be contaminated (P.D. Khan area). The water that is being used for growth is itself slowly poisoning the soil. The water can now be treated by microbes and by an electric process reportedly effected by the Israelis. Use of low pH in place of high pH Fertilizers can also help to lessen the problem.

g. SEED:
     Sale of certified seed through Farmers Associations and CBOs should be encouraged and strict penalties are imposed for passing on bad seed. The Government itself through corrupt Staff is also carrying out the practice of selling poor seed. This needs to be checked. Secondly unregulated seed import is also introducing nematodes and pathogens into our soils. We must be aware of this and take immediate counter measures.

h. MARKETING:
     The formation of Farmers Associations and CBOs must take on Cooperative Farming and Cooperative Marketing. This step along with Growing for export will remove a great burden from the poor farmers and also provide much needed Foreign Exchange. Quality can be improved and strict supervision can be effected through these very Associations.

i. PROCESSING/ STORAGE:
     Export demands the use of Cold Stores and High Grade Hygienic Processing. Without catering for these we can hardly expect to export. The revolutionary Earth Sheltered; Ceramic Adobe; Passive Solar; Low Cost Housing that we are trying to introduce is admirably suited to constructing Environment Friendly; Energy Efficient; Low Cost Cold Stores. These must be established. Canning and Food Preservation training must be imparted.

j. SKILLS:
     It is obvious that there are no Hands on training facilities for technical skills in Agriculture & Horticulture. These must be established immediately. Vocational Training in these fields will be greatly appreciated. One method is to establish Technology receiving & Transferring Centers along the lines of Akhter Hameed Khans Commilla Approach. This is being effected by our Organization. Existence of these facilities in the Rural Areas will be the answer.

4. CONCLUSION:

Most of the problems outlined above are directly or indirectly related to Poor Nutrition. Once the concepts of Plant Nutrition are clear in our minds we will be able to overcome most of these problems. This is illustrated by the fact that a single application of Calcium and Boron, 20 days prior to harvest will increase the shelf life of perishable commodities from the present 12 to 24 hours to as much as 4 days.