Soil nutrient management options

a) Increase organic matter incorporation: The measures for increased OM can be improve quality of FYM, increased fodder production, stall feeding of animals, use of green manures/biomass, efficient recycling of organic residues.

b) Improve the quality of FYM: There is an ample room to increase its nutrient content primarily nitrogen through quality fodder production, proper collection or conservation of urine and proper decomposition and application methods.

c) Reduce soil erosion: Cause nutrient loss in soil. Reducing this erosion through different means such as

reducing bare lands, mulching, cover cops, proper terracing etc. helps substantially.

d) Legume integration: integrating legumes into farming system contribute significantly in nutrients

supply through symbiotically fixed nitrogen.

e) Growing more manure demanding crops in the rotation: if crops like vegetables and potato are grown at least once in a year in a land, it helps to build organic matter balance and believed to improve the physical and chemical properties of soil.

f) Selection of less nutrient demanding crops: there are certain crops/varieties, which demand relatively, lower nutrients. Selection of such crops helps in nutrient management.

g) Balance soil reaction: Timely correction of soil pH through organic manures application and amendment helps nutrient availability.

h) Avoid excessive use of chemical fertilizers: Improper timing and excess application of chemical fertilizers also causes wastage of resources as well as creates soil problems. So, only need-based application is strictly recommended in the IPNS.

i) Minimize pesticides use: Unnecessary use of pesticides should be restricted for a better soil productivity