Nutrient Management
Introduction
The nutrient requirements for finger millet crop is relatively low since it is often found grown in dry lands under subsistence farming conditions, where only low yield is possible. However, under appropriate soil fertility conditions an irrigated crop needs relatively higher quantities of mineral nutrients, to achieve potentially higher yield goals set by farmers. Nutrient requirement of finger millet crop depends on total productivity, including both grains and straw. Finger millet grown under subsistence conditions, without any extraneous source of nutrients, either through farm yard manure or fertilizers, naturally yields will be 0.6 to 0.8 ton/ha.
Application of nitrogen improves its recovery and rain productivity. About 60Kg N/ha is applied to medium duration varieties grown under rainfed conditions. Whereas, 100 kg N/ha is applied for long duration varieties. Irrigated crop usually requires higher amount of nitrogen at 100 Kg/ha. In addition, Azospirillum is applied to soil at 2Kg/ha. In addition to above nitrogen sources, integrated nutrient management procedures envisage application of 7-12 ton FYM/ha.
Importance of Nutrients
- Crop growth depends on, among other things, nutrients. Both macro- and micronutrients are essential for plant growth.
- Macronutrients are those elements needed in large amounts by the crop, and large quantities have to be applied if the soil is deficient in one or more of them.
- Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) are the ‘primary macronutrients’ and these form the basis of NPK fertilizer compounds. The ‘secondary macronutrients’ are calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and sulfur (S).
- Micronutrients are those elements required in very small quantities. Despite being needed in small quantities, micronutrients are essential for the overall performance and health of the Ragi crop. They include iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), molybdenum (Mo), and boron (B).
- It is important to note that the extent and severity of nutrient hunger symptoms can be addressed by a variety of fertilizers, which may be applied basally or as foliar applications (in the case of micronutrients)
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Macro Nutrients
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Nitrogen
Effects of Nutrients
- Nitrogen is an important element for Ragi, which influence the productivity of the crop.
- Nitrogen imparts the green colour to the leaves that is responsible for photosynthesis.
- It helps for rapid plant growth with more tillers in vegetative stage and produce more and heavier grain on panicle initiation stage.
- Higher application of nitrogen cause the plants to lodging
- Nitrogen is mostly needed during vegetative growth and panicle initiation stage.
- Nitrogen often comes from fertilizer application and from the air (legumes get their N from the atmosphere, water or rainfall contributes very little nitrogen)
- Sources of nitrogen are Farmyard manure, Green manures, Castor cake, Neem cake, Urea, Diammonium phosphate, Ammonium nitrate , Ammonium sulphate
Deficiency symptoms
- Older leaves become light green and chlorotic at the tip.
- Leaves die under severe stress.
- Except for young leaves, which are greener, deficient leaves are narrow, short, erect, and lemon yellowish.
- The entire field may appear yellowish and stunted growth of plants
- Nitrogen deficiency often occurs at critical growth stages such as tillering and panicle initiation, when the demand for N is large.
Correction measures
- Use optimum dose of nitrogen fertilizer
- Apply available organic materials like farm yard maure (2 tonnes per hectare), crop residues, compost on soils
- The recommended dose of fertilizer vary from state to state. For rainfed crop, application of Nitrogen @ 50 Kg in Karnataka and 40 Kg in Tamil Nadu. For Irrigated ragi crop, 100Kg Nitrogen applied in Karnataka and 90 Kg nitrogen applied in Tamil Nadu
- Basal application of 50% Nitrogen per hectare in the main field.
- Half of the remaining dose( 50%) of nitrogen should be top dressed in two equal split doses after 30 and 50 days of sowing depending upon the moisture availability.
- In areas of uncertain rainfall, 50% at sowing and the remaining 50% around 35 days after sowing is recommended
- Urea 2% foliar spray at 40 and 50 days after sowing increased the grain yield of Ragi
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Phosphorus
Effects of Nutrients
- Phosphorus is essential for the general health and vigor of ragi
- It plays an important role in the process of photosynthesis, nutrient transfer and energy transfer
- Helps for the proper plant maturation and withstanding stress.
- Effects rapid plant growth.
- Encourages blooming and root growth.
- It increases disease resistance and strengthen the stem of the ragi crop
- Mixing a phosphorus rich fertilizer with soil when planting will help the plant establish a stable root system and have a strong first growing season.
- Increases the yield of grain and straw.
- Phosphorus often comes from Farmyard manure, Castor cake, Neem cake,Super phosphate (single),Super phosphate (Double),Super phosphate (Triple), Basic slag, Mussori, Diammonium phosphate (SPIC),
Deficiency symptoms
- It occurs throughout the growth cycle of the crop.
- It affects the major functions in energy storage and transfer and membrane integrity.
- In the initial stages, red or purple discoloration appear on the leaves.
- In severe cases, the plants shows stunting, reduced tillering, poor root development and early flowering.
Correction Measures
- Early tillage enhances soil oxidation and crop residue decomposition during the fallow period and increases P availability during vegetative growth of the succeeding rice crop.
- Establish a healthy plant population by using high-quality seed of a high-yielding variety with multiple pest resistance planted at the correct density with proper water and pest management.
- Incorporate ragi straw, it will contribute to maintain positive P balance in the long term.
- Growing green manure crop and plough in situ in the filed
- Application of Farm yard manure @ 12.5 ton/ha repeatedly for several years may meet out the phosphorus requirement of the crop
- Apply optimum dose of phosphatic fertilizers ( 30 to 40 Kg/ha) at the time of sowing
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Potassium
Effects of Nutrients
- Potassium helps the plant to grow faster
- Helps to increase the drought resistance
- Helps to reduce the pest and disease occurence
- Helps in the building of protein, photosynthesis and grain quality
- Influences tillering or branching of plant and size and weight of grain
- Potassium is supplied to plants by soil minerals, organic materials like Farmyard manure, Castor cake, Neem cake and fertilizers like Muriate of potash (KCl), Potassium sulphate
Deficiency Symptoms
- Potassium deficiency symptoms often appear on drought stressed conditions.
- Dry weather and its effects on soil properties have contributed to poor potassium uptake by plants.
- Deficiency symptoms first appear as pale to lemon-yellow margins on older leaves.
- Browning followed by necrosis of leaf margins denotes an increase in severity of the deficiency
Correction Measures
- Alter density or spatial arrangement of crops
- Eliminate the weeds
- Cultivate earlier in the season to avoid damaging plants
- Increase soil depth by sub soiling
- Potassium fertilizer 25 Kg/ha in Karnataka and 20Kg/ha in Tamil Nadu for rainfed crop, 50Kg/ha in Karnataka and 45 Kg/ha in Tamil Nadu for irrigated crop should be broadcasted and incorporated before planting or sowing
- Foliar spray of Poatssium chloride 1%
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Calcium
Effects of Nutrients
- Calcium is essential for good growth and cell wall structure of the plant
- plays a role in regulating various cell and plant functions as a secondary messenger.
- Sources of calcium are dolomitic lime, gypsum, and superphosphate.
Deficiency Symptoms
- Necrosis along the lateral margins of leaves
- Old leaves turn brown and die
- Stunting and death of growing points
Corrective Measures
- Apply farmyard manure or straw (incorporated or burned) to balance Calcium removal from soils
- Apply CaCl2 or Ca containing foliar sprays for rapid treatment of severe Ca deficiency.
- Apply gypsum in Ca-deficient high pH soils, e.g., on sodic & high K soils.
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Magnesium
Effects of Nutrients
- Magnesium is part of the chlorophyll in plants and essential for photosynthesis. It also helps activate many plant enzymes needed for growth.
- Soil minerals, organic material, fertilizers, and dolomitic limestone are sources of magnesium for plants.
Deficiency symptoms
- The Mg-deficient leaves show advanced interveinal chlorosis, with necrosis developing in the highly chlorotic tissue.
- In its advanced form, magnesium deficiency may superficially resemble potassium deficiency.
Corrective Measures
- Application of soluble Magnesium source such as Magnesium chloride.
- Foliar application of liquid fertilizers containing Mg (e.g., Mgcl22%)
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Sulphur
Effects of Nutrients
- Promotes activity and development of enzymes and vitamins.
- Helps in chlorophyll formation.
- Improves root growth and grain production.
- Helps with vigorous plant growth and resistance to cold.
- Sulfur may be supplied to the soil from rainwater. It is also added in some fertilizers as an impurity, especially the lower grade fertilizers. The use of gypsum also increases soil sulfur levels.
Deficiency symptoms
- Yellowing or pale green whole plant
- Young leaves chlorotic or light green colored with the tips becoming necrotic
- Lower leaves not showing necrosis
Correction Measures
- Incorporate straw instead of completely removing or burning it. About 40-60% of the S contained in straw is lost during burning.
- Carry out dry tillage after harvesting, to increase the rate of sulfide oxidation during the follow period.
- Applying 15-20 kg S ha-1 gives a residual effect for two subsequent ragi crops
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Micro Nutrients
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Boron
Effects of Nutrients
- Helps in the use of nutrients and regulates other nutrients.
- Aids production of sugar and carbohydrates.
- Essential for grain development.
- Sources of boron are organic matter and borax
Deficiency Symptoms
- Boron (B) deficiency is an uncommon disorder affecting plants growing in deficient soils and is often associated with areas of high rainfall and leached soils.
- Boron may be present but locked up in soils with a high pH, and the deficiency may be worse in wet seasons.
- The leaves shows as zig zag appearance and plant height is reduced.
- Plants unable to produce panicles if affected by boron deficiency at the panicle formation stage.
- Finally the yield will be reduced due to poor grain setting.
Correction Measure
- Avoid excessive leaching
- Apply 2-3 Kg Boran per hectare for clayey soils
- Apply Boran in soluble forms (borax) for rapid treatment for Boran deficiency (0.5 to 3 Kg/ha), broadcast and incorporated before planting or as 0.1% foliar spray during vegetative growth
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Iron
Effects of Nutrients
- Essential for formation of chlorophyll.
- Sources of iron are the soil, iron sulfate, iron chelate.
Deficiency Symptoms
- Interveinal yellowing and chlorosis of new leaves.
- Entire plants becomes chlorotic.
Correction Measures
- Application of Ferrous Sulphate (30 kg Fe ha-1)in the field
- Foliar applications of Ferrous Sulphate solution (2-3%)
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Mangnese
Effects of Nutrients
- Functions with enzyme systems involved in breakdown of carbohydrates, and nitrogen metabolism.
- Soil is a source of manganese.
Deficiency symptoms
- These leaves show a light interveinal chlorosis developed under a limited supply of Mn.
- The early stages of the chlorosis induced by manganese deficiency are somewhat similar to iron deficiency.
- They begin with a light chlorosis of the young leaves and netted veins of the mature leaves especially when they are viewed through transmitted light.
Correction Measures
- Application of Magnese sulphate at the rate of 15-20 Kg/ha
- Foliar application of Magnese Sulphate
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Zinc
Effects of Nutrients
- This nutrient is an important component of various enzymes that are responsible for driving many metabolic reactions of enzymes
- Deficiency of zinc occurs in alkaline soils, particularly in calcareous soils.
Deficeincy Symptoms
- Stunted growth of plants.
- Younger leaves become chlorotic
Correction measures
- Application of Zinc sulphate at the rate of 20-25 Kg/ha before sowing or transplanting
- Dip the roots of ragi seedlings in 0.5% Zinc sulphate solution overnight before planting
- Foliar spray of Zinc sulphate at tillering stage.
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Manuring
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Organic Fertilizers
- Organic Fertilizers or manures are natural products used by farmers to provide food (plant nutrients) for the crop plants.
- Organic manures increase the organic matter in the soil. Organic matter releases the plant food in available form for the use of crops.
- These manures also enable a soil to hold more water and also help to improve the drainage in clay soils.
- They provide organic acids that help to dissolve soil nutrients and make them available for the plants.
- There are a number of organic manures like farmyard manure, Bio fertilizers, green manures, Compost, vermicompost and Coir pith
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Types of Fertilizers
a. Farmyard manure
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b. Bio fertilizers
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c. Green manuring
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d. Compost
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e. Vermicomposting
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f. Coir pith
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Organic fertilizers - state wise
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Tamil nadu
- Spread 12.5 t/ha of FYM or compost or composted coir pith evenly on the unploughed field and then plough and incorporate in the soil.
NOTE: Do not spread and leave the manure uncovered in the field as nutrients will be lost.
- Root dipping with Azospirillum: Prepare slurry with 5 packets (1000 g/ha) of Azospirillum and 5 packets (1000g/ha) of Phosphobacteria or 10 packets of Azophos (2000 g/ha) in 40 litres of water and dip the root portion of the seedlings in the solution for 15-30 minutes and transplant.
- For irrigated ragi, apply 10 packets/ha (2000 g) of azospirillum and 10 packets (2000 g/ha) of Phosphorous solubilizing bacteria or 20 packets of Azophos (4000 g/ha) after mixing with 25 kg of soil and 25 kg FYM before transplanting.
- For rainfed ragi, treating seeds with Azospirillum brasilense (N fixing bacterium) and Aspergillus awamori (P solubilizing fungus) @ 25 g/kg seed is beneficial.
- In case seeds are to be treated with seed dressing chemicals, treat the seeds first with seed dressing chemicals and then with bio-fertilizers at the time of sowing.
- Another method: Application of 2 tonnes of enriched farmyard manure per hectare with 100% P and K fertilizer gave higher yield of Ragi in Coimbatore.
- Grow green manure crops like sunnhemp, dhaincha, pillipesara,clusterbeans and Sesbania rostrata before sowing the ragi crop plough at the time of ploughing or apply green leaf manure crops like Gliycridia before sowing and plough the field.
- Crop rotation or Intercrop with pulses will serve as a source of green manure.
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Kerala
- Application of Farm yard manure at the rate of 5ton/ha in the nursery.
- Plough the field 3-4 times and incorporate FYM or compost or coir pith at 5 t/ha. in main field.
- For irrigated ragi, apply 10 packets/ha (2000 g) of azospirillum and 10 packets (2000 g/ha) of Phosphorous solubilizing bacteria or 20 packets of Azophos (4000 g/ha) after mixing with 25 kg of soil and 25 kg FYM before transplanting.
- For rainfed ragi, treating seeds with Azospirillum brasilense (N fixing bacterium) and Aspergillus awamori (P solubilizing fungus) @ 25 g/kg seed is beneficial.
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Karnataka
- Application of Farm yard manure at the rate of 7-12 ton/ha in the unploughed field and plough and incorporate in the soil.
- For irrigated ragi, apply 10 packets/ha (2000 g) of azospirillum and 10 packets (2000 g/ha) of Phosphorous solubilizing bacteria or 20 packets of Azophos (4000 g/ha) after mixing with 25 kg of soil and 25 kg FYM before transplanting.
- For rainfed ragi, treating seeds with Azospirillum brasilense (N fixing bacterium) and Aspergillus awamori (P solubilizing fungus) @ 25 g/kg seed is beneficial.
- In case seeds are to be treated with seed dressing chemicals, treat the seeds first with seed dressing chemicals and then with bio-fertilizers at the time of sowing.
- Root dipping with Azospirillum: Prepare slurry with 5 packets (1000 g/ha) of Azospirillum and 5 packets (1000g/ha) of Phosphobacteria or 10 packets of Azophos (2000 g/ha) in 40 litres of water and dip the root portion of the seedlings in the solution for 15-30 minutes and transplant.
- Green manuring has also shown good results where the conditions are favorable for this practice, Sunhemp (Crotalaria juncea) is sown at the rate of 18 Kg of seed per acre as soon as the monsoon breaks.
- After about a month the sunhemp crop has grown to a height of 30 metre and is ploughed in.
- Transplanting of the ragi crop from a nursery can be carried out a week later. This practice has increased the yield by as much as 350 kg/ha of dry grain.
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Inorganic Fertilizers - state wise
Tamil Nadu
- Apply fertilizers on soil test recommendation. Where soil test has not been done, the following fertilizer schedule should be adopted.
- For transplanted crop N is to be applied in two equal splits 50% as basal and the rest at first weeding and hoeing 20 days after transplanting.
- For direct sown crop N is to be applied in three splits i.e., 25% basal, 50% at 20 days after sowing and 25% at 35-40 days after sowing.
Sl. No. |
Situation Variety |
Method of sowing |
N-P2O5-K2O (kg/ha) |
1. |
Rainfed |
Direct sown |
40-30-20 |
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Transplanted |
50-40-25 |
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Medium (>100 days)
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Direct sown |
50-40-25 |
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Transplanted |
50-40-25 |
2. |
Irrigated |
Transplanted |
60-40-30 |
Fertilizer Recommendation – Irrigated Ragi Crop
No. of doses |
Blanket Recommendation (kg/ha) |
Straight Fertilizer (kg/ha) |
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N |
P |
K |
Urea |
Super phosphate |
Potash |
|
1st dose – at the time of sowing |
30 |
30 |
30 |
65 |
188 |
50 |
2nd dose – two equal spilt doses after 30 and 50 days of sowing |
30 |
-- |
-- |
65 |
-- |
-- |
Total |
60 |
30 |
30 |
130 |
188 |
50 |
No of Doses |
DAP & Others (kg/ha) |
17:17:17: Complex (kg/ha) |
20:20:00 Complex (kg/ha) |
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|
DAP |
Urea |
MOP |
17:17:17 Complex |
Urea |
Super phosphate |
20:20:00 complex |
Urea |
MOP |
1st dose – at the time of sowing |
65 |
40 |
50 |
175 |
-- |
-- |
150 |
-- |
50 |
2nd dose – two equal spilt doses after 30 and 50 days of sowing |
-- |
65 |
-- |
-- |
65 |
-- |
-- |
65 |
-- |
Total |
65 |
105 |
50 |
175 |
65 |
-- |
150 |
65 |
50 |
Note: If Biofertilizers is inoculant before transplanting, the N content can be reduced by 25%
Application of Micronutrient Mixture
- Mix 12.5 kg/ha of micronutrient mixture formulated by the Agriculture Department with enough sand to make a total quality of 50 kg/ha.
- Apply the mixture evenly on the beds.
- Do not incorporate the mixture in the soil.
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Karnataka
- Application of ‘N’ @ 60 kg/ha was found to be optimum for enhancing productivity of both long and medium duration varieties of Ragi under rainfed conditions.
- Application of ‘N’ @ 100-120 kg/ha long duration varieties and 100 kg/ha of ‘N’ for medium duration varieties of Ragi was found optimum for irrigated conditions at Mandya (Karnataka).
- Application of 100 per cent recommended doze of fertilizers (N, P & K) along with dipping of seedlings in Azospirillum slurry is effective in enhancing Ragi productivity under irrigated conditions for optimizing fertilizer dose.
No. of doses |
Blanket Recommendation (kg/ha) |
Straight Fertilizer (kg/ha) |
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N |
P |
K |
Urea |
Super phosphate |
Potash |
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1st dose – at the time of sowing |
50 |
50 |
50 |
108 |
312 |
83 |
2nd dose – two equal spilt doses after 30 and 50 days of sowing |
50 |
-- |
-- |
108 |
-- |
-- |
Total |
100 |
50 |
50 |
216 |
312 |
83 |
No of Doses |
DAP & Others (kg/ha) |
17:17:17: Complex (kg/ha) |
20:20:00 Complex (kg/ha) |
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DAP |
Urea |
MOP |
17:17:17 Complex |
Urea |
Super phosphate |
20:20:00 complex |
Urea |
MOP |
1st dose – at the time of sowing |
108 |
67 |
-- |
294 |
-- |
-- |
250 |
-- |
83 |
2nd dose – two equal spilt doses after 30 and 50 days of sowing |
-- |
108 |
-- |
-- |
108 |
-- |
-- |
108 |
-- |
Total |
108 |
175 |
-- |
294 |
108 |
-- |
250 |
108 |
83 |
Note: If Biofertilizers is inoculant before transplanting, the N content can be reduced by 25%
Application of Micronutrient Mixture
- Mix 12.5 kg/ha of micronutrient mixture with enough sand to make a total quality of 50 kg/ha.
- Apply the mixture evenly on the beds.
- Do not incorporate the mixture in the soil.
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Kerala
- It is better to apply fertilizer as per soil test recommendation.
- If the soil test is not done the fertilizer may be applied @ 40 kg N, 30 kg P2O5 and 25 kg K2O/ha for short duration varieties (less than 100 days) and 60 kg N, 30 kg P2O5 and 30 kg K2O/ha for medium and long duration varieties of ragi.
- Nitrogen may be applied in two splits, 50% as basal and the remaining 50% as top dressing just before the first hoeing and weeding so as to incorporate the fertilizer into the soil.
No. of doses |
Blanket Recommendation (kg/ha) |
Straight Fertilizer (kg/ha) |
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N |
P |
K |
Urea |
Super phosphate |
Potash |
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1st dose – at the time of sowing |
30 |
30 |
30 |
65 |
188 |
50 |
2nd dose – two equal spilt doses after 30 and 50 days of sowing |
30 |
-- |
-- |
65 |
-- |
-- |
Total |
60 |
30 |
30 |
130 |
188 |
50 |
No of Doses |
DAP & Others (kg/ha) |
17:17:17: Complex (kg/ha) |
20:20:00 Complex (kg/ha) |
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DAP |
Urea |
MOP |
17:17:17 Complex |
Urea |
Super phosphate |
20:20:00 complex |
Urea |
MOP |
1st dose – at the time of sowing |
65 |
40 |
50 |
175 |
-- |
-- |
150 |
-- |
50 |
2nd dose – two equal spilt doses after 30 and 50 days of sowing |
-- |
65 |
-- |
-- |
65 |
-- |
-- |
65 |
-- |
Total |
65 |
105 |
50 |
175 |
65 |
-- |
150 |
65 |
50 |
Application of Micronutrient Mixture
- Mix 12.5 kg/ha of micronutrient mixture with enough sand to make a total quality of 50 kg/ha.
- Apply the mixture evenly on the beds.
- Do not incorporate the mixture in the soil.
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Method of Application of fertilizers
Fertlizers may be applied by
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a.Broadcasting
That means spreading fertilizers uniformly all over the field.Suitable for crops with dense stand, the plant roots permeate the whole volume of the soil, large doses of fertilizers are applied.
Broadcasting of fertilizers is of two types.Top of page
- The main objectives of broadcasting the fertilizers at sowing time are to uniformly distribute the fertilizer over the entire field and to mix it with soil.
- Apply half the dose of N and full dose of P2O5 and K2O and basally before planting.
- Broadcast the fertilizer mixture over the field before the last ploughing and incorporate into the soil by working a country plough.
- Mix 12.5 kg of micronutrient mixture formulated by the Department of Agriculture, Tamil Nadu with enough sand to make a total quantity of 50 kg/ha and broadcast evenly on the beds.
- Do not apply ammonium fertilizer to soils having high PH, as it encourages volatilization losses of ammonia from the soil. Instead, Urea will serve as a better source of nitrogen. Sometimes neem coated urea is applied in the soil to avoid volatilization losses.
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- It is the broadcasting of fertilizers particularly nitrogenous fertilizers with the objective of supplying nitrogen in readily available form to growing plants.
- The remaining 50% of nitrogen is applied in two equal splits at 25-30 and 40-45 days after sowing
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b.Seed treatment
- Seed treatment refers to the application of fungicide, insecticide, or a combination of both, to seeds so as to disinfect and disinfect them from seed-borne or soil-borne pathogenic organisms and storage insects.
- It prevents the spread of diseases like blast and seedling blight and improves germination.
- Seeds are mixed thoroughly with Azospirillum (600g/ha) and Phosphobacteria (600g/ha) along with rice gruel (300 to 400ml) and dried in shade.
- In case seeds are to be treated with seed dressing chemicals, treat the seeds first with seed dressing chemicals and then with bio-fertilizers at the time of sowing.
- Seed treatment with Tricyclazole (Beam) @ 8 kg/ha of seed reduced the incidence of ragi blast.
- Slurry treats the graded seed with Carbendazim at 2 g/kg of seed or Captan 4 g/kg or Thiram 75% WDP at 4 g in 5 ml of water per kg of seed.
- Ragi seed treatment with 1 part of cow urine and 10 part of water
Procedures for inoculating seeds with biofertilizers
- Bio-fertilizer culture specific to the crop is to be used @ 25 g per kg of seed.
- Sticker solution is necessary for effective seed inoculation. This can be prepared by dissolving 25 g jaggery or sugar in 250 ml water and boiling for 5 minutes. The solution thus prepared is cooled.
- Smear the seeds well using the required quantity of sticker solution. Then add culture to the seeds and mix thoroughly so as to get a fine coating of culture on the seed.
- The culture-coated seeds is to be dried well in shade to avoid clumping of seeds.
- Use the inoculated seeds for sowing.
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c.Seedling treatment
- Root dipping with Azospirillum: Prepare slurry with 5 packets (1000 g/ha) of Azospirillum and 5 packets (1000g/ha) of Phosphobacteria or 10 packets of Azophos (2000 g/ha) in 40 litres of water and dip the root portion of the seedlings in the solution for 15-30 minutes and transplant the seedlings.
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d.Soil application
- Soil application is the best way to deliver nutrients to plants.
- Soil application of fertilizers are much more efficient than foliar sprays.
- They improve the uptake and utility of primary and secondary nutrients.
- Mix 12.5 kg/ha of micronutrient mixture formulated by the Agriculture Department with enough sand to make a total quality of 50 kg/ha and apply the mixture evenly on the beds.
- Apply 10 packets/ha (2000 g) of azospirillum and 10 packets (2000 g/ha) of Phosphorous solubilizing bacteria or 20 packets of Azophos (4000 g/ha) after mixing with 25 kg of soil and 25 kg FYM before transplanting.
- Soil treatment with biofertilizers: Azospirillum (2 kg/ha) and Phosphobacteria (2 kg/ha) of the recommended biofertilizers are mixed with in 20 to 25kg of compost and kept overnight. This mixture is incorporate in the soil at the time of sowing or planting.
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e.Foliar application
- It refers to the spraying of fertilizer solutions containing one or more nutrients on the foliage of growing plants.
- Several nutrient elements are readily absorbed by leaves when they are dissolved in water and sprayed on them.
- The concentration of the spray solution has to be controlled, otherwise serious damage may result due to scorching of the leaves.
- Foliar application is effective for the application of minor nutrients like iron, copper, boron, zinc and manganese. Sometimes insecticides are also applied along with fertilizers.
- Urea 2% foliar spray at 40 and 50 day after sowing increased the grain yield of Ragi
- Foliar spray of Poatssium chloride 1%
- Foliar spray of micronutrient for nutrient deficiencies of ragi crop.
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Integrated Nutrient Management
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Components
Soil Source
- Mobilizing unavailable nutrients and to use appropriate crop varieties, cultural practices and cropping system.
Mineral Fertilizer
- Super granules, coated urea, direct use of locally available rock PO4 in acid soils, Single Super Phosphate (SSP), MOP and micronutrient fertilizers.
- Apply the fertilizer as per the blanket recommendation
Organic Sources
- By products of farming and allied industries. FYM, droppings, crop waste, residues, sewage, sludge, industrial waste.
- Apply Farm Yard manure or Compost or Coir pith at the rate of 12.5 ton/ha
Biological Sources
- Microbial inoculants substitute 15 - 40 Kg N/ha
- Azospirillum (2 kg/ha) and Phosphobacteria (2 kg/ha) of the recommended biofertilizers are mixed with in 20 to 25kg of compost and kept overnight. This mixture is incorporate in the soil at the time of sowing or planting.
- Apply 10 packets /ha (2kg) of Azospirillum inoculant after mixing with 25 kg of soil and 25 kg of farmyard manure before transplanting.
- Azospirillum (1000g/ha) and Phosphobacteria (1000g/ha) are mixed in water and dip the roots of the seedlings in the soulution and transplanted.
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GALLERY
