Balanced fertilizer use refers to application of essential plant nutrients in optimum quantities and in right proportional through appropriate method and time of application suited for a specific crop and agronomic situation. Aims of Balanced Fertilization: a) Increasing crop yield, b) Improving quality of the produce , c) Increasing farm income, d) Correction of inherent soil nutrient deficiencies and toxicities e) Maintaining or improving lasting soil fertility,. f) Reduces environmental hazards

2. TOPIC-
CONCEPT OF BALANCED NUTRITION – AIMS - NPK USE RATIO - CROP
RESPONSE TO NPK USE – SPECIALTY FERTILIZERS – ORGANICALLY
CHELATED MICRONUTRIENT, MICRONUTRIENT MIXTURES.
PRINCIPLES OF CROP PRODUCTION
AGRON-501
Submitted by
M. Uday Bhaskar
BAM-17-51

3. Food and Environment
• We talk about food production
• We talk about food quality
• We talk about food fortification
• We talk about post harvest management
• We talk about food packaging and marketing
We rarely talk about environment which determines all the above
1

4. Fertilizer Sales trend in last 6 years
Figures in Lakh Metric TonnesSource: Coromandel’s Internal Finding
2

5. Soil Organic Carbon Map
 Organic carbon status in all the major states is low
 West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka are the major states where organic carbon is low
Over All India Organic
Carbon Status
67% of Indian Soil is having lower
organic Carbon
Source: Coromandel’s Internal Finding
OC test done - 3.4 lac samples

6. Depleting soil organic matter
Imbalance in fertilizer use
Emerging multi-nutrient deficiencies
Declining nutrient use efficiency
Declining crop response ratio
Negative soil nutrient balance 3

7. • Balanced fertilizer use refers to application of essential plant nutrients in
optimum quantities and in right proportional through appropriate method
and time of application suited for a specific crop and agronomic situation.
• Balanced fertilizer rates differ from area to area and also from crop to
crop.
• Soil testing is one of the most important tools to practice balanced
fertilization.
4

8. a) Increasing crop yield,
b) Improving quality of the produce ,
c) Increasing farm income,
d) Correction of inherent soil nutrient deficiencies and toxicities
e) Maintaining or improving lasting soil fertility,.
f) Reduces environmental hazards
5

9. • Soil test summarizes that Indian soils have low to medium available P
and 60% medium K where as N continues to be universally deficient.
• 47 percent soils are deficient in Zn , 12% Cu , 4 % Mn
• In recent years phenomenal increase in S deficiency has been witnessed
specially intensive cropping system where fertilizers devoid of S are used
• Thus in situation where besides NPK the nutrients such as Zn , Fe ,Mn ,
Cu and S are also becoming limiting factors . It is unthinkable to have a
sustained food security without balanced and integrated use of nutrients
-Based On Indian institute of soil science-2016 soil testing data
6

10. • No doubt the awareness of balanced use of fertilizers is growing, but enormously
nutrient use ratio is of great concern
• Different crops require different proportions of NPK for optimum yields.
• The NPK ratio of 4:2:1 is often cited as appropriate for grain base systems in
India.
• Legumes may need the ratio of 1:2:2 ,root crops 2:1:2 and other crops 2:1:1.
• A balanced and judicious use of fertilizers is a key to efficient nutrient use and
for maintaining soil productivity.
7

11. CROP RESPONCE TO NPK USE:
Adequate and balanced fertilization plays a significant role in increasing
the storage of organic C and N in soil to improve its fertility; quality, and
health by sequestering atmospheric C.
Realizing high yield potentials as a results of synergistic nutrient
interactions.
 Help in enabling the plant to resist the damage from pest and diseases
and to tolerate relatively dry moisture conditions.
8

12. A favorable influence on crop quality and biochemical constituents of
the produce
Minimizing the amount of fertilizer nutrients left in the soil after
harvest, thus reducing the potential for negative environmental impacts
through leaching of nutrients and emission of greenhouse gas.
9

13. INTRODUCTION
• Traditionally farmers use combination of conventional. During the crop season
however nutrients can be lost to the ground water ,to the air and into the soils
organic matters a result of biological and physical activity in the soil
• The fertilizer industry knows this it has been a task to develop Special
fertilizers to avoid or reduce such nutrient losses.
10

14.  Volatilization
 Denitrification
 Leaching
 Runoff
NO3
-
NH3
atmosphere
N2O
SOIL SYSTEM
NO3
-
NH4
+
to groundwater
surface waters
to surface water
11

15. What are advantages speciality fertilizers ?
• For specific uses, specialty fertilizers may be preferred.
• Recently new generation specialty fertilizers have been introduce exclusively for
foliar application and fertigation .
• They are highly water soluble with low salt index.
• These fertilizers have varying ratios of major secondary and micronutrients.
• They are compatible with most of the commonly used insecticides and fungicides.
EXAMPLES: Multi-K (13-0-46),
Poly feed (19-19-19) 12

16. Classification Of
SpecialtyFertilizers
Speciality
fertilizers
Slow
Release
Controlled
Release
Fertilizers
associated
with inhibitors
13

17. SLOW RELEASE FERTILIZERS
• The majority of slow -release fertilizers are materials with either sulphur or synthetic
plastic coatings on the granular surface.
• Sulphur -coated urea (SCU) has long been popular and economical for incorporation and
top-dressing of soils for high cash value specialty crops.
• It is use to overcome problem of leaching.
• Available over weeks to months
Examples : Resin-coated urea, Sulphur-coated urea , Isobutylidene diurea (IBDU) ,
Methylene urea , Urea formaldehyde
14

18. Sulphur Coated Urea
Solid
Urea
H2O
H2O
Solid
Urea
Solid
Urea
Sulfur
Coating
H2O
Dissolved
Urea
H2O
H2O
+ S
15

19. Unfortunately, more than half (up to 60%) of the nitrogen leaches out or vaporizes in the
form of nitrogen gas, ammonia & nitrous oxide due to the presence of denitrifying bacteria
in the soil, there fore neem coated may be one of solution to it
Featured Benefits ofNeemCoated Urea
1.Slow down the process of nitrification of urea.
2. Neem Coated Urea reported improved yield up to 48%
3. Lower underground water contamination due to leaching of urea.
4. Controls soil born nematodes, termites and other pest due to pesticide properties.
16

20. 17

21. Government Policy on Neem Coated Urea
•In January 2015, the government allowed the urea producers to produce up to 100% of
production as Neem coated urea.
• Further, the government made it mandatory to produce at least 75% of domestic Urea as
Neem coated.
• The current policy is that Government has mandated all indigenous producers of Urea to
produce 100% of urea as Neem coated urea only.
• New policy decided by ministry of agriculture yet to be implemented : changing weight of
bags from 50 kg s to 45kgs
18

22. TECHNOLOGY USED
Technology Sulfur-based coating
Release mechanism Rapture of coating
Longevity 2-2.5 months
Release controlling factors Microbial activity, moisture, temperature
Controlled-release N (% of total N)* 40-50%
Additional nutrients in a controlled-release form -
19

23. Why need slow release fertilizers?
❖ Reduced toxicity
❖ Reduce possible losses of nutrients- slower leaching and run off,
evaporation losses of ammonia.
❖ Decreases risk of environmental pollution
❖ Reduction in relevant gas emission.
❖ Slower release rate – plants are able to take up most of the fertilizers
20

24. Cont.....
21

25. Slow release fertilizers have two
disadvantages:
a) The thickness of sulphur coating means less fertilizer is delivered per
tonne of product
b) It is difficult to predict the release rate so this are used in ornamental
than commodity crops such as wheat , corn etc
22

26. Fig.- 3 The ‘ideal fertilizer’: the nutrient release is synchronized with the crop’snutrient
requirements (Source: Lammel, 2005).
23

27. CONTROLLED RELEASE(CR) FERTILIZERS:
A synthetic fertilizer, usually encased in capsules, that releases its nutrients
over a specific period of time much the same as a controlled-release drug
releases its medicine
Example :Meister®- polymer-coated urea, Nutricote® 24

28. Polymer Coatings Remain Intact
Water
Dissolved
Urea
Solid Urea
Dissolved
Urea
Water
Dissolved
Urea
Complete
Release
25

29. Advantages of CRFs
Less frequent application is required
Easier and precise mechanical application
Reduced capital and labor outlay
Reduced nutrient loss by leaching and run-off
Reduced leaf burn
26

30. TECHNOLOGY USED
Technology Polymer coating
Release mechanism Diffusion
Longevity 2-16 months, depends on the coating thickness
Release controlling factors Temperature
Controlled-release N (% of total N)* 100%
Additional nutrients in a controlled-release form Controlled-release NPK formulae
27

31. Key benefits ofCRFs over Slowrelease fertilizers
• First Key benefit is the predictability of their nutrient release curve
• Another Key benefit is the thinness of coating resulting in much
higher nutrient content
28

32. Fig.- 4. Water soluble, N low-solubility and N product with a coated.
29

33. NITRIFICATION AND UREASE
INHIBITORS:
Nitrification inhibitors:
These are compounds that delay bacterial oxidation of the ammonium-ion (NH4)
and nitrite (NO2) by depressing over a certain period of time the activities of
Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacteria in the soil.
NH + NO -
4 2
NO3
-
Denitrification
Leaching loss
Plant uptake
Delays conversion for 2- 4
weeks depending on pH
and temp
Example :Dicynamide, meliacin coated urea etc
30

34. Urease inhibitors
Prevent or depress over a certain period of time the transformation of amide-N in urea to
ammonium hydroxide and ammonium.
Commercial urease Inhibitors : N-Serve, thiourea, AM.
Urea NH4
+
NH3
31

35. Limitations
• Very high costs of CRFs and SRFs
• Lack of proper legislation in most parts of the world to restrict the use of
soluble fertilizers
• Only about 0.15% of the total fertilizers consumption is such products
• CRF may be inadequate sources of nutrients in situations with low
ambient and soil temperatures
32

36. 33

37. The four main classes of micronutrient
sources are:
 Inorganic Products — Inorganic sources include oxides and carbonates,
and metallic salts such as sulphates, chlorides, and nitrates.
Synthetic Chelates — These sources are formed by combining a chelating
agent with a metal through coordinate bonding.
Natural Organic Complexes — These complexes are made by reacting
metallic salts with some organic by-products of the wood pulp industry or related
industries.
 Fritted Glass Products (Frits)— Fritted glassy products in which
solubility is controlled by particle size and changes in matrix composition.
34

38. What is a chelate ?
• The word chelate is derived from the Greek word for “claw”.
• In fertilizer technology, it refers to inorganic nutrients that are enclosed by
an organic molecule.
Example below shows how a nutrient such as iron combines with the
chemical EDTA to form a chelate.
35

39. Use of chelates
• Chelates are useful for micronutrients applied to alkaline soils.
• Iron, manganese, zinc and copper react with the ions found at high pH to
form insoluble substances. As a result, the nutrients are made unavailable
to plants.
• But the organic coating in the chelate prevents these reactions from
occurring in the soil. The plant roots take up the chelated nutrient and the
chelate releases the nutrient within the plant.
36

40. How does it work ?
37

41. Chelated Micronutrients Fertilizers:
The main functions are as follows:
 Iron catalyzes the production of chlorophyll.
Iron is involved in some respiratory and photosynthetic, enzyme systems.
Iron is found to be involved in the reduction of nitrates and sulphates.
Iron is required in proper functioning of symbiotic Nitrogen fixing
Microorganisms.
38

42. The main functions are as follows:
 Zinc is involved in plant carbon metabolism.
Zinc is a necessary component of several enzyme systems that regulate
metabolic activities within plants.
Zinc stimulates the synthesis of Tryptophan and IAA.
It is part of an enzyme that regulates the equilibrium among carbon dioxide,
water, and carbonic acid.
It is a part enzyme that plays a role in protein metabolism. 39

43. The main functions are as follows:
 Calcium works for root development during early growth stage of
plant
Calcium is involved in formation of seeds and grains
Calcium is essential for apical growth of plant
Calcium is a part of cell wall, and hence related to cell division,
cell elongation process. 40

44. 41

45. Particulars Impacts
Balanced fertilization (BF) Yield = 5472 kg/ha
Farmers’ practices Yield = 4583 kg/ha
Increased yield due to BF Yield = 0.889 tons/ha
% increase in yield due to BF = 19.4 %
Gross return = 32594 Rs. in million
Additional expenditure for BF = 8463 Rs./ha
Net return = 20183 Rs. in million
Impact of balanced fertilization on Rice
Source :TNAU- Agritech portal
42

46. Particulars Impacts
Balanced fertilization (BF) Yield = 4352 kg/ha
Farmers’ practices Yield = 3056 kg/ha
Increased yield due to BF Yield = 1296 kg/ha
% increase in yield due to BF = 42.4%
Gross return = 11081 Rs. in million
Additional expenditure for BF = 6313 Rs./ha
Net return = 8082 Rs. in million
Impact of balanced fertilization on Maize
Source :TNAU- Agritech portal
43

47. Particulars Impacts
Balanced fertilization (BF) Yield = 3167 kg/ha
Farmers’ practices Yield = 2372 kg/ha
Increased yield due to BF Yield = 795 kg/ha
% increase in yield due to BF = 33.52 %
Gross return = 50051.4 Rs. in million
Additional expenditure for BF = 7610 Rs./ha
Net return = 30887.1 Rs. in million
Impact of balanced fertilization on Cotton
Source :TNAU- Agritech portal
44

48. Particulars Impacts
Balanced fertilization (BF) Yield = 89.64 ton /ha
Farmers’ practices Yield = 82.97 ton /ha
Increased yield due to BF Yield = 6.67 ton /ha
% increase in yield due to BF = 8 %
Gross return = 5267.7 Rs. in million
Additional expenditure for BF = 6125 Rs./ha
Net return = 1318.9 Rs. in million
Impact of balanced fertilization on Sugarcane
Source :TNAU- Agritech portal
45

49. Treatment Black soil Red soil Mean
CONTROL 4.69 4.58 4.64
PU 7.21 7.14 7.18
SCU 7.58 7.51 7.55
NCU 7.49 7.43 7.46
TCU 7.51 7.46 7.49
LCU 7.37 7.26 7.32
GCU 7.46 7.36 7.41
UMB 7.50 7.34 7.48
Mean 7.18 7.06 7.42
Venkateswara rao v, 1990
Table 1: Effect of forms of slow release urea fertilizers on grain yield(g per hill) of
Rice in Black and Red soils
PU- Prilled urea , SCU-sulphur coated urea , NCU- Neem coated urea
TCU- Tar coated urea , GCU-gypsum coated urea , UMB- urea in mud ball
46

50. sonu , 2014
Table 2:Yield attributes and grain yield of maize influenced by different doses of
Nitrification inhibitors
47

51. Dongchu, 2015
Table 2:Effect of Polyofein coated urea in nitrogen use efficiency and yield in rice –
rice cropping system
International journal of agriculture and biology,vol-17 ,2015
48

52. Effect of Different Slow Release Nitrogen Fertilizer Forms on Yield and Chemical Constituents of Maize
and Soybean
Abou-Zied,
Middle East Journal of Agriculture Research, 3(3): 645-652, 2014

53. EFFECT OF SLOW RELEASE NITROGEN FERTILIZERS ON PRODUCTIVITY AND QUALITY OF POTATO
(Solanum tuberosum L.).
Ezzat, A. S.*
J. of Soil Sciences and Agricultural Engineering - Vol. 1 (2):169 - 184, 2010

54. •Soil fertility and nutrient management – S.S.Singh
•Principles of crop production-S.R.Reddy
•Principles of Agronomy - S.R.Reddy
•Journal of the Indian Society of Soil Science
•Indian Farming
•Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis
•Internet www.pdfsearch.com