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Soil Fertility management for Sustainable Agriculture

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Soil Fertility Management
for Sustainable Agriculture
Soil Fertility Management
for Sustainable Agriculture

Dr. ASHOKKUMAR V. RAJANI

Department of Agricultural Chemistry and Soil Science
College of Agriculture
Junagadh Agricultural University
JUNAGADH-362 001

NEW DELHI - 110089 (INDIA)

Copyright © 2020, Jaya Publishing House, Delhi (India) and Author.

All rights reserved. Neither this book nor any part may be reproduced or used in any form
or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, microfilming, recording,
or information storage and retrieval system, without the written permission of the publisher
and author.

The information contained in this book has been obtained from authentic and reliable
resources, but the authors/publisher cannot assume responsibility for the validity of all
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First Edition 2020

ISBN : 978-93-89996-616

Published by:

JAYA PUBLISHING HOUSE

Publisher and Distributor
H-1/60, Sector - 16, Rohini, Delhi-110089 (INDIA)
Ph: +91-11-43501867, 91-9891277233
Email: [email protected], [email protected]
Website: www.jphindia.com
 Dedicated
To
Those, Who ARE
Time Conscious
 Contents

Preface xiii
About the author xv

Chapter 1: Introduction 1 - 27
1.1 Sustainable agriculture 1
1.2 Viewpoint of sustainability 3
1.3 Challenges and potential 4
1.4 Definitions of sustainable agriculture 6
1.5 Objectives of sustainable agriculture 7
1.6 Basic elements of sustainable agriculture 7
1.7 Steps to a sustainable agriculture 8
1.8 Approaches of sustainable agriculture 12
1.9 Indicators of sustainable agriculture 14
1.10 Soil fertility management 15

Chapter 2: Plant Nutrients 28 - 52

2.1 Definitions of plant nutrient 28
2.2 Types of nutrient elements 29
2.3 Criteria of essentiality of nutrients 32
2.4 The soil as a nutrient source for plants 33
2.5 Nutrient deficiency and management 36
2.5.1: Generalized symptoms of plant nutrient deficiency 37
2.5.2: General functions and deficiency and toxicity symptoms 37
of plant nutrients

Chapter 3: Soil, The Sustainer 53 - 115

3.1 Soil organic matter 55
3.2 Soil water 56
3.3 Thermal properties of soils 71
3.4 Mineral matter 77
3.5 Soil texture (particle size distribution) 86
3.6 Soil structure 94
3.7 Soil biology (soil living organism) 102

Chapter 4: Soil Colloids 116 - 144

4.1 Properties and importance of soil colloids 117
4.2 Types/nature of colloids 120
4.3 Classification of layer silicate clays 127
4.4 Sources of charges on soil colloids 135

Chapter 5: Organic Matter 145 - 154

5.1 Composition of plant residues 145
5.2 Decomposition of organic matter 147
5.3 Humus 150
5.4 Carbon cycle 151
5.5 Carbon: nitrogen (c: n) ratio 152
5.6 Role of organic matter 154

Chapter 6: Soil Acidity 155 - 182

6.1 Causes of soil acidification 156
6.2 Role of aluminum in soil acidity 164
6.3 Pools of soil acidity 166
6.4 Buffering of pH in soils 169
6.5 Acid soils 170
6.6 Concept of soil pH and nutrient availability 177

Chapter 7: Salt Affected Soils 183 - 233

7.1 Origin of salts 183
7.2 Sources of soluble salts 184
7.3 Origin and nature of salts in soils 189
7.4 Distribution of salt affected soils 190
7.5 Factors responsible for the development of saline soils or 191
causes of salinization
7.6 Factors responsible for development of sodic soils or 193
causes of alkalinity
7.7 Extent distribution of salt affected soils 194
7.8 Morphological feature and characterization of salt affected soils 197
7.9 Problems of salt affected soils 203
7.10 Appraisal of saline and sodic soils 205
7.11 Classification of saline soils 208
7.12 Classification of sodic / alkali soils 209
7.13 Physical determinants of problematic soils 209
7.14 Crop growth on salt affected soils 214
7.15 Principles and different methods of reclamation 217
7.16 Management practices on salt affected soils 228

Chapter 8: Nitrogen 234 - 265

8.1 Nitrogen in the plant 234
8.2 Nitrogen forms 236
8.3 Immobilization and mineralization of soil nitrogen 240
8.4 Nitrogen fixation 247
8.5 Losses of nitrogen 257
8.6 Practical management of soil nitrogen 258

Chapter 9: Phosphorus 266 - 309

9.1 Phosphorus in the plant 266
9.2 Phosphorus in the soil 267
9.3 Phosphorus in plant nutrition 268
9.4 Soil phosphorus its origin and nature 270
9.5 Chemistry of solid phosphorus compounds and their equilibrium 271
9.6 Phosphorus cycle 273
9.7 Phosphorus in soil solution 275
9.8 P uptake by roots and mycorrhizae 276
9.9 Organic phosphorus in soils 280
9.10 Inorganic phosphorus in soils 268
9.11 Solubility of inorganic soil phosphorus 289
9.12 Phosphorus-fixation capacity of soils 295
9.13 Plant strategies for adequate phosphorus acquisition from soils 301
9.14 Practical phosphorus management 304

Chapter 10: Potassium 310 - 327

10.1 Potassium in the plant 311
10.2 Potassium in the soil 312
10.3 Potassium cycle 313
10.4 The potassium problem in soil fertility 315
10.5 Forms and availability of potassium in soils 318
10.6 Factors affecting potassium fixation in soils 322
10.7 Practical aspects of potassium management 324

Chapter 11: Secondary Nutrients 328 - 340

11.1 Sulphur 328
11.2 Calcium 335
11.3 Magnesium 338

Chapter 12: Micronutrients and Other Beneficial Elements 341 - 361

12.1 Manganese (mn) 341
12.2 Zinc (zn) 344
12.3 Copper (cu) 347
12.4 Iron (fe) 350
12.5 Boron (b) 352
12.6 Chlorine (cl) 355
12.7 Molybdenum (mo) 357
12.8 Nickel (ni) 359
12.9 Beneficial elements 360
12.10 Chelates 360
Chapter 13: Management of Different Problem Soils 362 - 387
13.1 Calcareous soils 362
13.2 Clayey/black soils 368
13.3 Sandy soils 371
13.4 Dry land soils 377

Chapter 14: Soil Erosion, Compaction and Pollution 388 - 415

14.1 Soil erosion 388
14.2 Compacted soils 406
14.3 Polluted soils 412

Chapter 15: Manures and Fertilizers 416 - 462

15.1 Manures 416
15.2 Fertilizers 439
15.3 Manufacturing process of fertilizers 456

Chapter 16: Fertilizer Recommendations and Application 463 - 475

16.1 Blanket recommendation 463
16.2 Soil test crop response (STCR) approach 464
16.3 Nutrient use efficiency (NUE) 465
16.4 Methods of fertilizer application 469
16.5 Fertilizers management under rainfed conditions 471
16.6 Integrated nutrient management 472
16.7 Nutrient interactions in plants and soils 472

References 476
 Preface

The author Dr. Ashokkumar V. Rajani is engaged in research as well as in teaching both theory
and practical courses of Soil Science for the last twenty four years. With this vast experience
of teaching the subject and research along with practical experience the author has attempt
to compile a book on “Soil Fertility management for Sustainable Agriculture”. The book
cover, most of the fundamental facts about sustainable agriculture and soil fertility, authors
try to cover basic fundamental knowledge of soils as a sustainer, soil organic matter, soil water.
The book also covers detail information about all problematic soils and their management
for sustaining agricultural production. In the book focus also given to all essential and
beneficial plant nutrients which are essential for soil fertility management. In this Book most
of the literature cited is also covers soil science subjects as per the Fifth Dean Committee
Recommendation for the B.Sc. (Hons.) Agriculture Course Curriculum. This book
also covers information about manures, fertilizers and its recommendation and method of
application for sustainable agriculture. Overall the book also useful to soil science PG students
for NET examination preparation. The book prepared to meet the requirement of under
graduate, post graduate students; teachers, researchers working in field of soil science. Each
chapter of this book is presented in concise and consistent manner with clear understanding.

The authors are highly pleased to express his gratitude to Dr L. B. Ranparia for their
constant encouragement and help during the preparation of this Book.

We hope that students, teachers and researchers who engage in teaching and research
work will find this Book useful for their knowledge and works. Any suggestions for its further
improvement will be highly appreciated.

Junagadh Dr. ASHOKKUMAR V. RAJANI

2020
 About the Author

Dr. Ashokkumar V. Rajani obtained his B.Sc. (Agri.) and M.Sc.

(Agri.) in Agril. Chem. & Soil Science. Degrees from Gujarat
Agricultural University in 1990 and 1993, respectively and Ph.D. in
Soil Science & Agril. Chemistry from Junagadh Agricultural University
in 2010. He was recipient of “Best Poster Award” in International
symposium on “Importance of potassium in nutrient management for
sustainable crop production in India” for the poster of “Determinant of
groundnut response to potassium” held at New Delhi during December
3-6, 2001, by IPI-PRII. He joined as Agriculture officer in 1995
at Gujarat Agricultural University, Navasari. Presently he is working as Assistant Professor,
Department of Agricultural Chemistry and Soil science, College of Agriculture, Junagadh
Agricultural University, Junagadh, Gujarat. He has over 24 years experience of research and
teaching. His special field of interest is research on nutrients dynamics in soils and analysis
methods for soil, plant, water and fertilizer samples. He has published number of research paper
in reputed journals and two books.
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