Potential of Improved Application Techniques for Increasing Fertiliser Use Efficiency
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1986
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Potential of application techniques for increasing fertiliser use efficiency and issues involved in their adoption have been discussed. Examples concern the efficient use of N, P, K, S, Zn, Fe and Mn, nutrients which are of major practical importance. Improved application techniques can bring about yield advantages of 200-1200 Kg grain] ha and are often enough able to cover the total or a large proportion of the money spent on fertilisers. A number of improved techniques have yet to find large-scale application. This is a matter of concern. Two possible reasons are that (i) in our system, a mechanism link is missing which should identify promising techniques and take initatives to see that these are passed on) as usable packages to the farm level and (ii) many times our interest in fertiliser efficiency is philosophical rather than one of affirmative action with the result that initial interest losses momentum after their agronomic potential has been shown. Non-adoption of proven techniques not only robs the farmers of the fruits of using fertiliser efficiently, it also reduce the efficiency of investments in fertiliser research and development. The economic and social cost of improved technologies not finding adoption (in terms of lost production and income) is substantial particularly for a country such as India which is on the doorstep of the 10 million tonne nutrient consumption mark. .Some suggestions have been made to take technique evaluation beyond agronomic testing and to accelerate the adoption of proven techniques.
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Proc. FAI Annual Seminar 1986