<str<strong>on</strong>g><strong>Co</strong>mpendium</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> <strong>Soil</strong> <strong>Health</strong> C<strong>on</strong>tents Ch. No. C<strong>on</strong>tent Page 1 Introducti<strong>on</strong> 1-5 2 Highlights <strong>of</strong> State-wise <strong>Soil</strong> Test Based Fertilizer Use Programme 6-7 3 State-wise status <strong>of</strong> the soil health programmes as <strong>on</strong> 01.04.2011 at a Glance 8-55 Annexes 56-75
<strong>Soil</strong>s Introducti<strong>on</strong> <strong>Soil</strong> is a thin layer <strong>of</strong> earth’s crust and is a living media, which is <strong>on</strong>e <strong>of</strong> the important factors <strong>of</strong> crop producti<strong>on</strong> and serves as a natural nutrient source for the growth <strong>of</strong> plants. The comp<strong>on</strong>ents <strong>of</strong> the soils are mineral material, organic matter, water and air, the proporti<strong>on</strong>s <strong>of</strong> which vary and which together form a system for plant growth. The soils are studied and classified according to their use, which is termed as “land capability classificati<strong>on</strong>”. In this classificati<strong>on</strong>, inherent soil characteristics, external land features and envir<strong>on</strong>mental factors are given prominence. For this purpose soil survey is carried out to record the crop limiting factors such as soil depth, topography, texture and structure, water holding capacity, drainage features followed by evaluati<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> soil fertility based <strong>on</strong> soil testing / soil analysis. According to their use the soils are classified into 8 classes, four <strong>of</strong> which are c<strong>on</strong>sidered suitable for agriculture purpose and remaining are n<strong>on</strong>-arable lands and can be used for silviculture and forest and need str<strong>on</strong>g c<strong>on</strong>servati<strong>on</strong> measures. An effective linkage between soil testing and soil survey is useful to ensure formulati<strong>on</strong> <strong>of</strong> a sound soil fertility evaluati<strong>on</strong> programme. In the administrative set up, soil survey is generally kept under the discipline <strong>of</strong> natural resource management while soil testing remains a part <strong>of</strong> the discipline <strong>of</strong> fertilizer use and management. Proper maintenance <strong>of</strong> the soil health, which is necessary from agricultural point <strong>of</strong> view, refers to the capacity <strong>of</strong> the soil to ensure proper physical, chemical and biological activities/processes for sustaining higher crop productivity. A productive soil would ensure proper retenti<strong>on</strong> and release <strong>of</strong> water and nutrients, promote and sustain root growth, maintain soil biotic habitat, resp<strong>on</strong>d to management and resist degradati<strong>on</strong> (see Annex 1). Nutrient Status <strong>of</strong> <strong>Soil</strong>s Intensive agriculture, while increasing food producti<strong>on</strong>, has caused sec<strong>on</strong>d generati<strong>on</strong> problems in respect <strong>of</strong> nutrient imbalance including greater mining <strong>of</strong> soil nutrients to the extent <strong>of</strong> 10 milli<strong>on</strong> t<strong>on</strong>s every year depleting soil fertility, emerging deficiencies <strong>of</strong> sec<strong>on</strong>dary and micr<strong>on</strong>utrients, decline <strong>of</strong> water table and its quality <strong>of</strong> water, decreasing organic carb<strong>on</strong> c<strong>on</strong>tent, and overall deteriorati<strong>on</strong> in soil health. Indian soils not <strong>on</strong>ly show deficiency <strong>of</strong> primary nutrients (Nitrogen, Phosphorous and Potassium) but also <strong>of</strong> sec<strong>on</strong>dary nutrients (Sulphur, Calcium and Magnesium) and micro nutrients (Bor<strong>on</strong>, Zinc, <strong>Co</strong>pper and Ir<strong>on</strong> etc.) in most parts <strong>of</strong> the country. Besides the three primary nutrients (N, P, K), deficiency <strong>of</strong> Sulphur and micro nutrients like Zinc and Bor<strong>on</strong> in many <strong>of</strong> States, and <strong>of</strong> Ir<strong>on</strong>, Manganese and Molybdenum in some States, has become a limiting factor in increasing food productivity. In a comprehensive study carried out by ICAR through their <strong>Co</strong>ordinated Research Project <strong>on</strong> Micr<strong>on</strong>utrients, Toxic and Heavy Metals, based <strong>on</strong> analysis <strong>of</strong> 2,51,547 soil samples from different States, it was found that 48% <strong>of</strong> these
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