Targeted Yield Approach of Fertiliser Recommendation for Sustaining Soil and Crop Productivity

Abstract

This chapter is focused on targeted yield approach of fertiliser recommendation for sustaining soil and crop productivity. Fertiliser nutrition recommendations are typically made for various crops by taking into account the soil's availability of nutrients, which is divided into three categories: low, medium, and high. The soil test crop response (STCR) technique, which uses the soil test values and targeted yield equations, is one of the most scientific approaches to nitrogen application for crops among the different types of fertiliser recommendations. The higher uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in STCR approach for the targeted yield of 13 q ha^-1 through inorganics could be attributed to the higher yield associated with a higher dose of NPK fertilizers compared to other treatments which might have helped in better availability of these nutrients in the vicinity of plant roots that might have increased the uptake. It is possible to calculate the fertiliser doses for any desired yield targets of the succeeding crop using the predicted post-harvest soil test values, which is a time-saving technology and helps to avoid spending money on soil testing. These values act as the initial soil test values for the following crop in the sequence.