Plant Nutrition

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ORGANIC MATTER:

Organic matter acts as a biological buffer ensuring that a balanced supply of nutrients are available to the plant roots. Soils that are poor in organic matter loose this buffering capacity and their fertilizer efficiency will decrease in N & P Fertilizers.

BENEFITS:

    • Serves as the principal storehouse for anions such as nitrates, sulfates, borates, molybdates and chlorides that are essential for plant growth.
    • Increases CEC (Cation Exchange Capacity) of soil by a factor of 5 to 10 times that of clay.
    • Acts as a buffer against rapid changes caused by acidity; alkalinity; salinity; pesticides and toxic heavy metals.
    • Supplies food for beneficial soil organisms like earthworms, symbiotic Nitrogen fixing bacteria and mycorrihize (beneficial fungus).
    • Serves as recycling sink for organic waste and green manures (animal manure, crop residues, household refuse and leguminous plants collected within and outside the farm) and thus keeps environment clean and hygienic.
    • Softens the soil by introducing fibrous matter.
    • Increases soil water retention capacity.
    • Makes plants more resistant to pests and disease through improved nutrient availability and uptake, resulting in healthier plants with strong immune systems.
    • Prevents soil acidification.

In short organic matter greatly enhances nutrient availability, improves the biological functioning of the soil and the efficiency of chemical fertilizers (with increased efficiency less is required, thus reducing input costs).
Acidification is a process in which the H+ concentration of a soil system increases, resulting in a decrease in the observed pH. Intensive cropping, high yielding varieties and market production increases the demand for soil nutrients. Organic fertilizers and green manures cannot meet this demand because recycling organic wastes is only possible to a limited extent and green manures often compete with crop production.
Only organic matter inculcation or introduction of beneficial microorganisms will not suffice. Firstly the judicious use of safe and stable agro-chemicals should be adopted. Stringent controls and careful monitoring is required. Secondly, only those agro-chemicals be sold that are manufactured locally through joint ventures with technology holding Corporations. Secondly, monoculture should be discouraged and crop rotation should be adopted. Better understanding of soil mechanics be used for mechanized soil management and reduced tillage and even no till be encouraged with increased organic matter in the soil. Soil conservation measures and good cultural practices be encouraged. Conservation Irrigation like low cost drip; sprinkle and sub soil irrigation should be used. Canals and drains should be lined with low cost ceramic adobe tiles manufactured as a by-product of Earth Sheltered, Ceramic Adobe, Passive Solar Construction. Of colonies and cold stores. Greater understanding of the plants needs be promoted and nutrient mapping and flows should be monitored. Use of safe and natural rooting and fruiting hormones should be encouraged to change the genetic expression of the plant and strengthen its immune system. Certified and viable seed must be ensured with strict penalties for mal-practices. Crop insurance should be introduced with increase in skills. Vocational training in Horticultural practices, soil conservation and environment protection along with technical knowledge and skills should be imparted widely. Short term crop financing should be carried out through Community Based Organizations especially for Growing For Export. Produce processing, storage, preservation and addition in value should be given primary importance.
The best Technical and Financial option is often to use both organic and inorganic fertilizers. Studies have shown rice production of 7 tons per hectare using chemical fertilizers in traditional broadcast and 15 tons per hectare using bio-mass, safe and stabilized chemical fertilizers, liquid primary, chelated secondary and micronutrients, natural hormones and foliar applications. Yields of 5 to 6 tons were harvested per hectare using Organic fertilizer and 14-14-14 chemical fertilizer. Organic fertilizer alone produced 4.5 to 5 tons per hectare. Where producing for the organic market organic fertilizers and natural hormones can be used. Where producing for the conventional market organic fertilizer, natural hormones, liquid primary, chelated secondary and micronutrients through split foliar and banding applications. Seed treatment, deep banding and good cultural practices make all the difference in sustainability.