Agricultural crops production

1. Apply Basal Fertilizer

2. INTRODUCTION
Fertilizer is any material of natural or synthetic origin that is
applied to soils or plant tissues to supply one or more plant
nutrients essential to the growth of plants. Conservative
estimates report 30 to 50% of crop yields are attributed to
natural or synthetic commercial fertilizer.
Basal in terms of fertilizer can only refer to the amount of
nutrients needed in the soil to sustain normal plant health.

3. In order to get maximum benefit from manures
and fertilizers, they should not only be applied
in proper time and in right manner but any other
aspects should also be given careful
consideration. Different soils react differently
with fertilizer application. Similarly, the N, P, K
requirements of different crops are different and
even for a single crop nutrient requirements are
not the same at different stages of growth.

4. The aspects that require consideration in fertilizer application are listed below.
- Availability of nutrients in manure and fertilizer
- Nutrient requirements of crops at different stages of crop growth
- Time of application
- Methods of application, placement of fertilizers
- Foliar application
- Crop response to fertilizers application and interaction of N, P, K
- Residual effect of manures and fertilizers
- Crop response to different nutrient carrier
- Unit cost of nutrients and economics in manuring

5. Fertilizers are applied by different methods mainly for
3 purposes:
1. To make the nutrients easily available to crops
2. To reduce fertilizer losses, and
3. For ease of application

6. The time and method of fertilizer application vary in
relation to
1. The nature of fertilizer
2. Soil type
3. The differences in nutrient requirement and nature
of field crops.

7. Mechanism
Fertilizers enhance the growth of plants. This
goal is met in two ways, the traditional one
being additives that provide nutrients. The
second mode by which some fertilizers act is to
enhance the effectiveness of the soil by
modifying its water retention and aeration.

8. Fertilizers typically provide, in varying proportions:
- three main macronutrients: Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P),
Potassium (K)
- Three secondary macronutrients: Calcium (Ca), Magnesium
(Mg), Sulfur (S)
- Micronutrients: copper (Cu), Iron (Fe), Manganese (Mn),
molybdenum (Mo)
Zinc (Zn), Boron (B), and occational significance there are
silicon (Si), Cobalt (Co) and vanadium (V) plus rare mineral
catalyst.

9. Nitrogen
Fertilizing effect: ammonium nitrate provides plants with required amount of
nitrogen, which is especially important during the period of intensive growth.
Fertilization not only ensures effective growth and ripening, faster root
development, rapid nutrient absorption, but also prevents leave yellowing.
Nitrogen stimulates and regulates many vital plant growth processes. Plants
fertilized with ammonium nitrate consume less water, contain more proteins
and sugar, have longer vegetation period.
Nitrogen at higher levels causes a loss of certain plant species, depletion of
soil nutrients, death of fish and aquatic organisms, and contamination of
drinking water.

10. Phosphorus
• Root Growth - An important nutrient to encourage root growth
on any plants. Roots are the foundation of the plant, and
having a healthy, web-like root system is crucial to ensuring a
healthy plant.
• Flowers and Seeds - Improves flower formation and seed
production. Paying attention to flower formation is crucial for
any landscaper or homeowner installing a landscape. But, it's
also important for growers, because flower formation is the
leading indicator to a healthy fruit set.
• Improves Plant Resilience - Phosphorus improves plant
resilience against disease and helps strengthen the plant for
winter.

11. Potassium is the third key nutrient of
commercial fertilizers. It helps strengthen
plants' abilities to resist disease and plays an
important role in increasing crop yields and
overall quality. Potassium also protects the plant
when the weather is cold or dry, strengthening
its root system and preventing wilt.

12. The nutrients required for healthy plant life are classified
according to the elements, but the elements are not used
as fertilizers. Instead, compounds containing these
elements are the basis of fertilizers.
Plants are made up of four main elements: hydrogen,
oxygen, carbon and nitrogen. Carbon, hydrogen, and
oxygen are widely available as water and carbon dioxide.
Although nitrogen makes up most of the atmosphere, it is
in the form that is unavailable to plants. Nitrogen is very
important fertilizer since nitrogen is present in proteins
and other components

13. Types of Fertilizers - Organic
Generally the term “organic fertilizer” is used to refer to fertilizer that
has gone through minimal processing, where nutrients are still found in
their natural forms. This includes manure and compost, which you can
prepare yourself, along with items which can be purchased. Inorganic
fertilizers generally refer to fertilizers that are synthetic or artificial, and
generally are manufactured from petroleum products (yes, fertilizer that
is made from crude oil).
In the last 60 to 70 years, a phenomenon has happened in farming in the
USA. Farmers started using Inorganic Fertilizer instead of Organic
Fertilizer. From that point we have seen a gradual worsening of soils,
resulting in increased insect, disease and weed problems.

14. Inorganic Fertilizers are “water soluble”. They are
minerals in concentrated form that are readily available to
the plant. Unlike most organic fertilizers, they don’t need
the help of the soil to break them down so the plant can
utilize them. They only need the soil to hold them until
the plant takes them in. Water soluble inorganic fertilizers
do nothing to contribute to the health of the soil. So over
time, soils become run down and diseased, and become
ever more limited in the types of crops they will grow.

15. • What is Manure?
• Manure is the decomposed form of dead plants and
animals, which is applied to the soil to increase
production. It is a natural form of fertilizer and is cost-
effective. The human and animal excreta is also used as
manure. The livestock manure is rich in nitrogen,
phosphorus, and potassium.
• Manure is highly rich in organic matter and humus and
thus improves the soil fertility. These are better in the
long run and does not cause any pollution. It is a
valuable and renewable resource.

16. Animal manures are the solid, semisolid, and
liquid by-products generated by animals grown
to produce meat, milk, eggs, and other
agricultural products for human use and
consumption. They are mixtures of animal
feces, urine, bedding materials (e.g.,
straw, sawdust, rice hulls), and other materials
associated with animal production, such as
waste feed, soil, wash waters, and any chemical
or physical amendments used during manure
handling and storage.

17. Human waste (or human excreta) refers to
the waste products of the human digestive
system, menses, and
human metabolism including urine and faeces.
As part of a sanitation system that is in place,
human waste is collected, transported, treated
and disposed of

18. compost, crumbly mass of rotted organic matter
made from decomposed plant material, used
in gardening and agriculture. Compost is especially
important in organic farming, where the use
of synthetic fertilizers is not permitted. Compost
improves soil structure, provides a wide range of
nutrients for plants, and adds beneficial microbes to
the soil. The maximum benefits of compost on soil
structure (better aggregation, pore spacing, and
water storage) and on crop yield usually occur after
several years of use.

19. PRECAUTIONS FOR MANURE
• The decomposition of manure that occurs in manure pits generates
methane, hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide, and ammonia gases.
These gases can produce oxygen-deficient, toxic and/or explosive
atmospheres.
• A person might enter a manure pit one time without apparent
problems, but the next time could die. The most serious problems
with gases occur when manure is agitated or when ventilation systems
fail. However, gases are constantly being produced and there is never a
“safe” time to enter a pit.

20. AGAWID
TAYON!