By anjalirao 
India’s agronomic landscape is rapidly evolving. Farmers today must do more than follow traditional practices with changing climates, soil fatigue, and fluctuating market demands. Soil nutrition requires active intervention to maintain healthy yields. We spoke with several leading Indian agronomists who shared practical, effective, and region-tested soil nutrient booster strategies. These insights, drawn from years of on-field research and farmer collaborations, offer both science-backed and field-proven guidance.
The Indian Soil Landscape
India has 15 major agroclimatic zones, each with distinct soil characteristics. From the red soils of Tamil Nadu to the black cotton soils of Maharashtra, nutrient retention and depletion patterns differ drastically. One-size-fits-all doesn’t apply here.
- Over 50% of Indian soils are deficient in nitrogen and phosphorus.
- Around 41% of samples tested in various regions also show significant zinc deficiency.
Agronomists emphasize localized soil testing as the first step to nutrient management. Without this, most interventions are a shot in the dark.
Tailoring Nutrient Strategies Based on Soil Type
Prominent agronomists maintain that knowing what is lacking and why is essential to increasing soil nutrients. For example, sandy soils require frequent micro-dosing because they drain nutrients quickly. Conversely, soils that contain a lot of clay tend to lock up nutrients, rendering them inaccessible to plants.
Here are tailored strategies for two common soil types:
For Red Soils (Alfisols):
- Integrate farmyard manure with rock phosphate to reduce phosphorus fixation.
- Use zinc-enriched composts to address typical micronutrient deficiencies.
For Black Soils (Vertisols):
- Apply gypsum to improve soil structure and enhance root access to nutrients.
- Combine biofertilizers with organic amendments to break down compact layers.
Organic and Biological Boosters for Long-Term Gains
While chemical fertilizers offer quick results, they often lead to long-term imbalances. India’s top agronomists advocate for a hybrid approach that integrates organic and biological inputs.
Use of Green Manures
Green manure crops like Dhaincha and Sesbania are being resurrected in southern and eastern India. Before they flower, these crops are ploughed back into the field, naturally fixing nitrogen from the atmosphere and replenishing the soil with organic carbon
Harnessing the Power of Mycorrhiza
Mycorrhizal fungi form symbiotic relationships with plant roots, expanding the surface area for nutrient absorption. Agronomists in Punjab and Gujarat have seen a 20–25% improvement in phosphorus uptake when farmers inoculate soil with Glomus intraradices spores during sowing.
Fermented Bio-inputs
Jeevamrut and Panchagavya, fermented from cow dung, urine, jaggery, and pulses, are gaining attention for their traditional relevance and the microbial diversity they bring. These preparations enhance soil respiration and nutrient mobilization.
Micronutrients: Small Quantities, Massive Impact
Deficits in micronutrients are frequently overlooked until they have a serious negative impact on crop health. Indian soils are particularly lacking in zinc, boron, and iron. These components depend on enzyme activation, pollination, and chlorophyll synthesis.
A lot of farmers still believe that their NPK routine is sufficient. Ignoring micronutrients can undermine all other efforts, agronomists emphasise. Ensure the precise deficiencies noted in your soil test report are balanced with any soil amendments you apply.
For those exploring better options, a practical way to start is to buy micronutrient fertilizers from reliable agricultural input suppliers offering trace-element formulations.
“The health of the soil mirrors the health of the crop. Nourish one, and the other follows.” – Dr. A.V. Ramaswamy, Senior Agronomist, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University.
Integrating Crop Residue Management
Crop leftovers are frequently burned, particularly in northern India, reducing vital organic matter and contributing to pollution. Instead, agronomists advise shredding them and adding them to the soil with mulchers or rotavators.
This practice:
- Improves organic carbon content
- Stimulates microbial activity
Dr. B.K. Singh, a soil scientist from Uttar Pradesh, notes that farms using crop residue retention reported up to a 12% increase in subsequent wheat yields without extra fertilizer input.
Leveraging Precision Agriculture Tools
Digital soil mapping and satellite-guided fertilizer application tools are transforming nutrient management. Precision agronomy platforms now allow farmers to map nutrient zones and apply inputs selectively.
One such tool, developed by ICRISAT, combines local soil data with real-time weather updates, giving farmers actionable advice on nutrient timing and dosage. Integrating these tools with smartphone alerts allows farmers to act quickly, reducing waste and improving efficiency.
A good external resource for understanding this is the Precision Agriculture Handbook published by the Food and Agriculture Organization.
Effective Use of Cover Crops and Crop Rotation
Cover crops, like mustard and sun hemp, have two functions: they fix nitrogen and stop soil erosion. According to agronomists, legumes and cereals should be alternated to organically increase soil fertility.
A typical rotation could look like:
- Year 1: Rice → Legume (pulses)
- Year 2: Wheat → Sunflower
- Year 3: Maize → Mustard
This pattern interrupts pest cycles and allows for better nutrient use. Multi-tier cropping—growing root, legume, and leaf crops together—is also resurging in tribal farming communities.
Lime and Gypsum: Forgotten Yet Essential
Low pH hampers nutrient availability in acidic soils of the northeast and parts of Kerala. Applying agricultural lime can correct this and free up phosphorus and molybdenum locked in the soil.
In contrast, sodic soils (typical in Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh) benefit from gypsum, which helps displace sodium ions, improving permeability and root penetration.
These inputs often go ignored due to cost or awareness gaps, but their long-term value is immense. The National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning provides region-specific recommendations for these amendments.
FAQs
- What’s the best time to apply micronutrients?
Apply during early vegetative stages for most crops. Foliar sprays are particularly effective when deficiency symptoms appear. - How often should I test my soil?
Ideally, once every two years. But if you’re experimenting with new inputs or rotations, annual testing is better. - Can compost alone supply enough nutrients?
Compost enriches the soil with organic matter and microbes, but it usually lacks sufficient NPK for high-yield crops. It should supplement, not replace, a balanced nutrition plan. - Is liquid fertilizer better than granular?
Liquid fertilizers act faster, especially for micronutrients via foliar spray. But granular forms offer slow-release benefits. The choice depends on crop stage and deficiency severity.
Final Takeaways from the Field
Agronomists from all over India concur on one basic fact: soil health cannot be maintained by a single product or method. The combination of digital tools, rotation, tailored supplementation, organic inputs, and tried-and-true techniques is what counts. Every component helps to create viridescence, the growing field’s vivid green vibrancy.
Farmers are urged to consider soil cycles and seasons rather than aiming for immediate results. Thanks to the increasing availability of precision farming instruments and fresh data from agricultural colleges, making wise judgements about soil nutrition is now simpler than ever.
Be inquisitive and flexible, and pay attention to your soil since it communicates with your crops.
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