Soil testing refers to the process by which elements such as magnesium, calcium, potassium, phosphorous, sodium, sulfur, manganese, copper, and zinc are chemically removed from the soil and measured for their available content within the sample of soil. It is an important diagnostic tool for determining the nutrients for plants.
Nutrient management refers to the agricultural practice of maintaining the fertility of the soil and providing plants with the necessary nutrients to grow properly for sustaining the desired productivity. This practice helps optimize the benefits from all possible sources of organic, inorganic, and biological components. One of its aims is to have no adverse impact on the ecosystem by balanced fertilization of organic manures, bio-inoculant, and inorganic fertilizers.
Importance of soil testing:
There are several objectives of soil testing-
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To determine the acidity, salinity, and alkalinity of the soil.
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To ensure environmental safety by reducing the excessive use of chemical fertilizers.
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To evaluate the fertility and nutrient status of the soil.
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To check the loss of nutrients post-harvest.
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To determine that a certain type of soil is suitable to grow a crop.
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To form strategies to restore and revitalize the soil’s fertility.
The best time to get the soil tested is after the harvest as it leaves the farmer with plenty of time to formulate a nutrient management or fertilization strategy. Farmers should get their soil tested because-
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Soil testing informs the farmer of the current health of the farm’s soil, which helps them make an informed decision about ways to improve it. Soil testing will provide the farmer with pertinent information related to the soil’s nutrient level and pH content. With this information, the farmer can choose not just the type of fertilizer but also the quantity of fertilizer which is appropriate to improve the fertility of the soil.
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Soil testing leads to the minimization of fertilizer expenditure as knowing how deficient the soil is helps limit the wastage of fertilizers. It also reduces the instances of over-fertilization of soil as it can be harmful to not just the environment but also damage the plant and lead to water pollution which can cause irreversible harm to aquatic life.
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Soil testing helps improve crop yield because the farmer is able to provide necessary nutrients to the crop and soil. Increasing the yield and quality of the crop also makes it more profitable.
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Soil testing increases the consistency of nutrients available in the field which results in more uniform crop growth. This simplifies processes like cultivation and fertilizer application.
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Effective application of fertilizers and pesticides because of soil testing reduces the runoff of fertilizers into water bodies, which results in water pollution.
Importance of Nutrient Management:
Nutrient management aims to fulfill the nutrient requirements of the crop by monitoring the fertility of the soil and using strategies to overcome any deficiencies. While forming strategies, it takes the economic conditions of the farmers, social acceptability, ecological and environmental impact, and accessibility into consideration. Nutrient management is starting to play an important role in agriculture as it uses tools that are easily accessible to improve soil fertility.
It helps provide balanced nutrition to the crops and minimizes the antagonistic effects resulting from nutrient imbalance. Nutrient management strategies help farmers improve and sustain the physical, chemical, and biological functioning of the soil. It also minimizes the deterioration of soil, water, and ecosystem by promoting carbon sequestration, reducing nutrient losses to groundwater and surface water bodies, and to the atmosphere. Nutrient management practices help produce fruits and vegetables that are healthier because of their high nutritional content.
