AICRP on
Long-Term Fertilizer Experiments to Study Changes
in Soil Quality, Crop Productivity and Sustainability
(AICRP LTFE)
Dr. Dhiraj Kumar,
Scientist, PC LTFE Unit, AICRP LTFE
Email: dhiraj.kumar[at]icar[dot]in
LONG-TERM FERTILIZER EXPERIMENTS have
generated enormous and valuable information
which could be used for sustainability of high
input intensive agriculture. Introduction of
high yielding varieties, irrigation and high
analysis fertilizer accelerated the mining of
nutrient other than supplied eternally from
soil. To sustain the productivity it was essential
to maintain the supply of nutrients. Since large
amount of nutrient has to be applied to soil
in chemical form which may have impacted soil
properties and soil productivity in long run.
Changes in soil fertility, as a result of imbalanced
fertilizer use and faulty management practices
take few years for appearance of disorders in
soil but needs more time for rejuvenation. Long-term
fertilizer experiments provide the best possible
platform to study the changes in crop productivity,
soil properties and processes, identifying emerging
nutrient imbalances and deficiencies and overall
impact on quality and health of soil. Therefore,
to study the impact of chemical fertilizer on
productivity and soil quality, the Indian Council
of Agricultural Research decided to launch the
“All India Coordinated Research Project
on Long-Term Fertilizer Experiments (AICRP-LTFE)”
in September 1970 at 11 centres. The work carried
out at different centres of LTFE was reviewed
by QRT during 1997 and recommended to enlarge
the mandate and objectives of the project and
changed the title as AICRP on “Long-Term
Fertilizer Experiments to Study Changes in Soil
Quality, Crop Productivity and Sustainability”.
The purpose of conducting long term fertilizer
experiments at fixed sites in different agroecological
zones (AEZ) with important cropping systems
was not only to monitor the changes in soil
properties and yield responses and soil environment
due to continuous application of plant nutrient
inputs through fertilizers and organic sources
but also to develop strategies and policies
for rational use and management of fertilizers
to improve soil quality and to minimize environmental
degradation. Thus, the thrust of AICRP-LTFE
is on productivity, sustainability and environmental
safety.Read
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