Sl.

No.

Name of the Institute Name of post From To

1) National Academy of Agricultural

Research and Management,

Hyderabad, India

Scientist (P) 1992 1993

2) Indian Institute of Soil Science,

Bhopal, India

Scientist 1992 1998

3) Indian Institute of

Pulses Research, Kanpur, India

Senior Scientist 1998 2003

4) Central Research

Institute for Dryland Agriculture

Hyderabad, India

Senior Scientist 2003 2005

5) Central Research

Institute for Dryland Agriculture

Hyderabad, India

Principal Scientist 2006 Till

date

6) Director General, International Crops

Research

Institute for the Semi Arid

Research, Patancheru (CGIAR), India

Soil Scientist

(On Deputation)

(3 Years)

2006

January

Jan,

2009

7) Tel –Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel One Year

(Post Doctoral)

Jan 1999 Dec

1999

Work ExperienceCherukumalli Srinivasa Rao

Sustainable Soil Fertility

Management: Emerging Issues

and Future Challenges

Cherukumalli Srinivasa Rao

Central Research Institute for Dryland

Agriculture, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh,

India

At

International Institute for Tropical Agriculture

Ibadan, Nigeria

On 30-4-2009

Out Line

Potassium nutrition of crop plants. Why to include

nonexchangeable potassium in soil testing ?

Whether nutrient management can break yield

stagnation in grain legumes.

Emerging nutrient deficiencies in rainfed agriculture! Are

dryland soils are not only thirsty but also hungry ?

Carbon sequestration strategies: Trends from long term

manurial trials

CGIAR Experiences

Strategies for soil fertility management – from African

context- Way forward !

Nutrient uptake in long-term fertilizer experiments under intensive

cropping systems in India

Cropping Soil

type

Yield

(t/ha)

Nutrient uptake (kg/ha/year)

N P K Total

Maize-

wheat-

cowpea

(F)

Incepti

sols

6.8+0.6 240 45 250 535

Maize-

wheat-

cowpea

(F)

Molliso

ls

9.5+1.9 260 65 295 620

Soybean-

wheat

Vertisol

s

6.3 285 44 225 554

Soybean-

wheat

Alfisols 4.2 220 35 170 425

I) Potassium nutrition of crop plants. Why to include

nonexchangeable potassium in soil testing ?

Fertilizer consumption ratios in India

Consu

mption

1960

-61

1970

-71

1980

-81

1990

-91

2001

-02

2004

-05

2005

-06

N 1.4 9.0 21 43 59 62 67

P2O5 0.4 3.3 7 17 23 24 27

K2O 0.2 1.4 4 7 9 11 13

Total 2 14 32 68 90 97 107

P2O5:K2

O

(N=1.0)

0.37:

0.16

0.37:

0.16

0.33:

0.17

0.40:

0.17

0.37:

0.14

0.39:

0.18

0.40:

0.18

Food Production in India Sub Continent

50 220 Million Tonnes

An illustrative balance sheet of NPK in Indian

Agriculture (2001) (balance „000)

Nutrient Additions Removal Balance

N 10,933 9,613 1,310

P2O5 4,188 3,702 486

K2O 1,454 11,657 -10,202

Total 16,565 24,971 -8,406

Net Balance of K is Negative

Exchangeable and Nonexchangeable Potassium Status in Different Soil Types of

India

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

Exch

an

geab

le K

(m

g k

g-1

)

Inceptisols Vertisols Alfisols

Exchangeable K in different soil types of India

Surface

Sub-surface

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

No

nexch

an

geab

le K

(m

g k

g-1

)

Inceptisols Vertisols Alfisols

Nonexchagneable K in different soil types of

India

Surface

Sub-surface

Acidic red and lateritic soils, light textured and acidic alluvial and shallow

black soils are deficient in K

Srinivasa Rao et al., Soil Science (2001)

Cumulative K release from Bangalore profile

under finger millet production system

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

I II III IV V VI VII VIII

Extraction No

Cu

mu

lati

ve

K r

ele

as

e

(mg

/kg

)

0-15

15-30

30-45

45-60

60-75

75-90

90-105

Cumulative K release from Solapur profile

under rabi sorghum based production system

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

I II III IV V VI VII VIII

Extraction No

Cu

mu

lati

ve

K r

ele

as

e

(mg

/kg

)

0-15

15-30

30-45

45-60

60-75

75-90

90-105

Cumulative K release from Hoshiarpur profile

under maize based production system

550

1050

1550

2050

2550

I II III IV V VI VII VIII

Extraction No

cu

mu

lati

ve K

rele

ase

(mg

/kg

)

0-15

15-30

30-45

45-60

60-75

75-90

90-105

Greater

variations in K

status

mineralogically

different soil

types

Srinivasa Rao et

al. Indian Soc.

Soil Sci (2006)

X-Ray diffraction intensity ratio of the peak heights of 001/002 basal reflection in the silt and clay fraction of

some A.P.soils

Soil Series Taxonomy Parent

Material

Size Fraction

50-2 um <2 um

Kasireddipalli Vertisol Deccan

basalt

1.56 1.04

Patancheru Alfisol Granite

gneiss

1.77 1.80

Nalgonda Alfisol Granite

gneiss

2.00 1.87

Mica or illite content in clay or silt fraction of soil is important factor for K

supplying power of particular soil

Srinivasa Rao et al. J. Plant Nutrition and Soil Sci. 1998

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

I 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Successive Crops

Ex

ch

an

ge

ab

le K

(m

g/k

g)

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

K B

uff

eri

ng

Po

we

r

C N NP NPK NPK+FYM

1980 1994

Continues cropping reduces soil

K to minimum levels Vertisol

20 years of cropping reduced K

buffering capacity of soils in

Inceptisol

Srinivasa Rao et al. Australian J. Soil Sci. (1999)

Srinivasa Rao et al. Communications in Soil Pl. An (2001)

Srinviasa Rao et al. J. Plant Nutri. Soil Sci. (1994)

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

4000

kg

K h

a-1

C N NP NPK NPK+FYM

K Removal

Change in Soil K

Change in soil reserve K is in

tune of crop K uptake

Nonexchangeable K fraction

in soil and its release rate is

utmost important

Srinivasa Rao et al. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems (2001)

Nonexchangeable K release rate constants of Inceptisols as influenced by 14

years of Rice-Rice cropping, fertilization and manuring in 0.01 M citric acid

(Zero order X 102)(Hyderabad)

Treatment 1980 1994

0-73 h 0-217 h 0-73 h 0-217 h

Control 53 29 33 22

100% N 40 26 33 20

100% NP 36 23 29 16

100% NPK 63 32 52 25

100% NPK+FYM 75 37 53 28

Drastic reductions in K release rates from Inceptisol after

14 years of croppingSrinivasa Rao et al. Australian J. Soil Sci. (1999)

Severe potassium depletion results in soil

clay degradation in rhizosphere of cereals

X Ray Diffractogram of soil clay before and after

potassium depletion

Cate

gory

Exchangeable

K

Non-

exchangeable

K

Locations Recommendation

1 Low Low Bangalore,

Anantapur

Inclusion of K in fertilization is must as

fingermillet based production system at

Bangalore is K exhaustive and soil K status is

low2 Low Medium S.K.Nagar,

Ballowal-Saunkri,

Rakh-Dhiansar

K fertilization is essential as maize and

pearlmillet systems are K exhaustive and

soil K levels are low.

3 Low High Agra, Ranchi,

Varanasi

K additions at critical stages of crops

improve yield levels.

4 Medium Low Akola Continuous cotton system needs K addition at critical

stages as nonexchangeable K fraction does not contribute

to plant K nutrition substantially.

5 Medium Medium Phulbani As soils are light textured, maintenance doses of

K may be required for upland rice systems

6 Medium High Hisar, Arjia,

Faizabad

Crops may not need immediate K

additions.

7 High Low Bijapur Long term sorghum system would need

K additions after few years

8 High Medium Rajkot, Kovilpatti,

Bellary, Solapur,

Indore

K application is not required

immediately.

9 High High Jhansi, Rewa K application is not required.

Categorization of soils based on soil K reserves and K recommendations for different rainfed regions in India

Srinivasa Rao et al. Australian J. Soil Research (2007)

K content in healthy and affected banana leaves and corresponding soil test K in soils of Krishna district

Location Healthy Affected

Range Mean Range Mean

K content (%)

Nujvid 3.00-3.55 3.25 1.00-1..65 1.25

Vijayawada 2.25-3.50 3.10 1.62-1.85 1.73

Soil Test K (kg/ha)

Nujvid 250-330 286 117-196 145

Vijayawada 319-418 395 220-286 234

Drastic reductions in K content of banana in K deficient soils

Cassava tuber yield response to major nutrients

Treatm

ents

Puthiragoundanpal

ayam

Paravakkadu

Yield

(t/ha)

Yield

Increase

(%)

Yield

(t/ha)

Yield

Increase (%)

Kc80 (1:1:1) 37.9 - 34.9 -

K160 (1:1:2) 43.0 14 42.9 23

K240

(1:1:2.5)52.4 38 48.1 38

K320

(1:1:2.5)48.2 27 46.8 34

C.D (5%) 4.5 3.3

c Common doses: 90 kg N, 90 kg P2O5, 47 kg Ca, 40 kg S, 6

kg Zn, and 1 kg B/ha

Kamaraj et al (2008)

International Potash Institute, Switzerland

Indian Council of Agricultural Research

National Academy of Agricultural Sciences

Indian Science Congress Association

Indian Society of Soil Science

Indian Science Congress

Awards

•Therefore, nonexchangeable K content

in soil should be included in soil testing.

•Method for estimation standardized

•Results into efficient utilization of

costly input which is completely

imported

K Deficiency

II) Whether nutrient management can break yield

stagnation in grain legumes ?

0

5

10

15

20

25

1964 1974 1984 1994 2004 2007

Area (m ha)

Production (m t)

Productivity = around 0.6 t ha-1 (Remained Same)

Population in India increased to 1030 millions

Per capita grain legume availability decreased from 60 g in 1951 to 28

grams in 2005 ?

II) Whether nutrient management can break yield

stagnation in grain legumes ?

Grain legumes continued to be rainfed crops

Cultivation on marginal lands

Neglect of input application

Poor crop management

Biotic stresses

Lack of extension programme

Constraints in Grain Legume Production

Fig. 1 : Emerging nutrient deficiences as a result of increased

production

0

50

100

150

200

250

1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000

Nu

trie

nt

De

fic

ien

cie

s

Pro

du

cti

on

(m

t)

Food Production Pulse Production

N N

Fe

N

Fe

P

Zn

K

N

Fe

P

Zn

K

S

Mn

N

Fe

P

Zn

K

S

Mn

B

N

Fe

P

Zn

K

S

Mn

B

?

Srinivasa Rao et al. IIPR Bulletin (2003)

Available nitrogen content in different soil types in food

legume growing regions

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

Kanpur

Faiz

abad

Delh

i

Vara

nasi

Sehore

Raip

ur

Gulb

arg

a

Hydera

bad

Ranchi

Bangalo

re

Av

ail

ab

le N

(k

g h

a-1

)

0-15cm

15-30cm

N

Deficiency

in

Chickpea

and

Fieldpea

Available P status in different soil types in food

legume growing regions of India

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

Kan

pur

Faiz

abad

Del

hi

Var

anas

i

Seh

ore

Rai

pur

Gul

barg

a

Hyd

erab

ad

Ran

chi

Ban

galo

re

Ava

ila

ble

P (

kg h

a-1

) 0-15cm

15-30cm

P Deficiency in

Chickpea in

Greenhouse and

Field Conditions

Won International Plant Nutrition

Institute Prize

Available S status in different soil types in

chickpea growing regions of India

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

Kanpu

r

Faiza

bad

Delhi

Varan

asi

Sehor

e

Raipu

r

Gul

barg

a

Hyder

abad

Ranch

i

Banga

lore

Ava

ilab

le S

(k

g h

a-1

)

0-15cm

15-30cm

Sulphur

Deficiency in

Lentil and

Fieldpea

Available zinc status in different soil types in food

legume growing regions

0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

1

Kan

pur

Faiz

abad

Del

hi

Var

anas

i

Seh

ore

Rai

pur

Gul

barg

a

Hyd

erab

ad

Ran

chi

Ban

galo

re

Zin

c s

tatu

s (

mg

kg

-1)

0-15cm

15-30cm

Zn Deficiency

in Chickpea

Initial-Later

Stages

Available iron status of different soil types in food

legume growing regions

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

Kanpur

Faiz

abad

Delh

i

Vara

nasi

Sehore

Raip

ur

Gulb

arg

a

Hydera

bad

Ranchi

Bangalo

re

Iro

n s

tatu

s (

mg

kg

-1)

0-15cm

15-30cm

Iron

Deficiency

in Chickpea

and Lentil

Iron Deficiency in

Pigeonpea

Genotypic Variations

in Iron Deficiency in

Chickpea

Srinivasa Rao et al. IIPR Bulletin (2003)

Contribution of different soil layers to available nitrogen

content in different soil types

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%K

anpur

Faiz

abad

Delh

i

Vara

nasi

Sehore

Raip

ur

Gulb

arg

a

Hydeara

bad

Ranchi

Bangalo

re0-15cm

15-30cm

30-45cm

Contribution of different soil layers to available P in

different soil types

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Kanpur

Faiz

abad

Delh

i

Vara

nasi

Sehore

Raip

ur

Gulb

arg

a

Hydeara

bad

Ranchi

Bangalo

re

0-15cm

15-30cm

30-45cm

Contribution of different soil layers to available K in

different soil types

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Kanpu

r

Faiza

bad

Del

hi

Varan

asi

Sehor

e

Rai

pur

Gulba

rga

Hyd

eara

bad

Ran

chi

Banga

lore

Co

ntr

ibu

tio

n

0-15cm

15-30cm

30-45cm

Contribution of different soil layers to available S in dffiernt

soil types

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Kanpu

r

Faiza

bad

Del

hi

Varan

asi

Sehor

e

Rai

pur

Gulba

rga

Hyd

eara

bad

Ran

chi

Banga

lore

Co

ntr

ibu

tio

n0-15cm

15-30cm

30-45cm

Deep rooted crops such as chickpea and pigeonpea can extract nutrients

from sub-soil layers also

Srinivasa Rao et al. Indian J.Fertilizers (2004)

* Substantial area of chickpea cultivation in India is

concentrated on marginal and sub marginal lands having

limited nutrient supply.

* Low soil fertility, particularly phosphorus deficiency, is one

of the major constraints in increasing chickpea productivity.

* Some genotypes are known to mine the insoluble soil P and

utilize it more efficiently while others utilize applied P in a

better manner.

* Selecting genotypes with high P uptake efficiency is one of

the alternative approaches to manage P deficient soils.

Genotypic variations in P use efficiency in chickpea

Srinivasa Rao et al. J. Plant Nutrition (2006)

Srinivasa Rao et al. J. Plant Nutrition (2006)

Shoot Drymatter Yield of Chickpea Genotypes at Different

Levels of Applied P on multi-nutrient deficient Inceptisol

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

Phule

G-5

KP

G 5

9

Pusa 2

09

BG

413

BG

256

K 8

50

Pant G

-

SA

K 1

-

GP

F 2

Vik

ash

Radhey

GC

P 1

01

DC

P 9

2-3

HK

94-1

34

RS

G 8

88

GC

P 1

05

JG

315

Vija

y

GN

G 6

63

Sadabahar

Genotype

Sh

oo

t Y

ield

(g

/po

t)

Control

13.5 mg/kg

27mg/kg

Srinivasa Rao et al., J. Plant Nutrition (2006)

•Based on these criteria, BG-256 can be

recommended under P deficient conditions.

•Further, it can be a good source in

chickpea breeding program for evolving

high P efficient genotypes.

Relationship between P influx and Zn

concentration in chickpea (n=60)

10

12

14

16

18

20

22

24

0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2

P influx (mg P/g DW/Day)

Zn

co

ncen

trati

on

(u

g/g

sh

oo

t)

Relationship between root dry weight and P

uptake in chickpea genotypes at different

levels of added P

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

0 1 2 3 4 5

Root dry weight (g/pot)

P u

pta

ke (

mg

/po

t)

Control

13.5 mg/kg

27mg/kg

Better root growth is essential for optimum P nutrition in grain

legumes

P induced Zn deficiency occurs only at higher levels of P

application

Effect of P application on Zn concentration in

chickpea shoot

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

0 13.5 27

Applied P (mg/kg soil)

Zn

co

ncen

trati

on

(u

g/g

sh

oo

t)

Effect of P application on Fe concentration in

chickpea shoot

420

440

460

480

500

520

0 13.5 27

Applied P (mg/kg soil)

Fe c

on

cen

trati

on

(u

g/g

sh

oo

t)

Effect of P application on Mn concentration

in chickpea shoot

230

240

250

260

270

280

290

300

0 13.5 27

Applied P (mg/kg soil)

Mn

co

ncen

trati

on

(u

g/g

sh

oo

t)

Effect of P application on Cu concentration in

chickpea shoot

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

0 13.5 27

Applied P (mg/kg soil)

Cu

co

nc

en

tra

tio

n (

ug

/g

sh

oo

t)

Zn and Cu have positive interaction at lower P levels

Fe has negative relation with P levels

Mn has positive interaction with P

Srinivasa Rao et al. Indian J Food Legumes (2007)

Integrated sulphur management in Maize-Chickpea cropping

sequence

Four years of sulphur management experiment in maize-chickpea

sequence

FYM and elemental sulphur were the sources

Fractionation of sulphur

Sulphur use efficiency was studied

20 kg S/ha was recommended on large number of frontline

demonstrations and All India Coordinated Research programe on

grain legumes

Srinivasa Rao et al., Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis (2004a)

Srinivasa Rao et al., Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis (2004b)

Srinivasa Rao et al., Indian Journal of Food Legumes (2003)

Tap and lateral root volume of faba beans at different

levels of P

0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1

1.2

1.4

1.6

1.8

Tap Laterals

Vo

lum

e (

cm

3)

0.02mM

0.2mM

1mMa

b b

a

b

c

Surface area of tap and lateral roots of faba beans at

different levels of P

0

5

10

15

20

25

Tap Laterals

Su

rface a

rea (

cm

2)

0.02mM

0.2mM

1mM

a b b

a

b

c

Root Architecture and Nutrient Acquisition in Faba beans

@ Largest aeroponics laboratory at Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel

@ Effects of root pruning: at least 50 % lateral roots along with half tap root is essential for

optimum plant growth

@ Salinity effected more lateral roots

@ Low P concentration affected lateral roots

@ K uptake by young root types studied

Srinivasa Rao et al. J. Indian Soc. Soil Sci (2002. 2003, 2005); Eshel and Srinivasarao Plant and Soil

(2001).

Conclusions

@ Rhizobium inoculation, FYM application,

N= 20kg/ha, P2O5=60-80 kg/ha, S= 20 kg/ha;

Zn, B and K = depending upon soil test.

@Efficient genotypes for low and high input

conditions identified

Awards

@ International Plant Nutrition Institute-

Fertilizer Association of India Award-2006

@IPNI Prize-2008

@Fellow of Indian Society of Pulses Research

and Development

III) Emerging nutrient deficiencies in rainfed agriculture!

Are dryland soils are not only thirsty but also hungry ?

Maintaining soil and crop productivity in the long term in

continuous cropping is a major challenge in rainfed production

systems.

These regions are characterized by low rainfall, sparse vegetation

and poor soil fertility.

The productivity of these soils regions depends on the content of

organic carbon (SOC), which is a critical component of soil quality

(Chander et al. 1997). However, due to high temperature and low

rainfall, organic matter rapidly decomposes.

Regular additions of organic matter is essential to improve soil

organic carbon!

Srinivasa Rao and Vittal, Indian J.Fertilizers (2007)

Location Limiting Nutrient (Low/Deficient)

Varanasi N, Zn, B

Faizabad N

Phulbani N, Ca, Mg, Zn, B

Ranchi Mg, B

Rajkot N, P, S, Zn, Fe, B

Anantapur N, K, Mg, Zn, B

Indore N

Rewa N, Zn

Akola N, P, S, Zn, B

Kovilpatti N, P

Bellary N, P, Zn, Fe

Bijapur N, Zn, Fe

Jhansi N

Solapur N, P, Zn

Agra N, K, Mg, Zn, B

Hisar N, Mg, B

SK.Nagar N, K, S, Ca, Mg, Zn, B

Bangalore N, K, Ca, Mg, Zn, B

Arjia N, Mg, Zn, B

Ballowal-Saunkri N, K, S, Mg, Zn

Rakh-Dhiansar N, K, Ca, Mg, Zn, B

Emerging Nutrient Deficiencies in Different Soil Types under Rainfed Production Systems of

India

Srinivasa Rao and Vittal, Indian J.Fertilizers (2007)

Carbon stocks in soils under diverse rainfed production

systems

0.00

50.00

100.00

150.00

200.00

250.00

300.00

350.00

400.00

450.00

Rice

Rab

i Sorg

hum

Maize

Pea

rlm

illet

Fin

germ

illet

Soyb

ean

Gro

undnut

Cotton

Carb

on

(M

g/h

a)

Organic Carbon (Mg/ha)

Inorganic Carbon (Mg/ha)

Total Carbon (Mg/ha)

Srinivasa Rao et al., Communications in Soil Science & Plant Analysis (2009)

IV) How to improve soil fertility and soil organic carbon

in dryland soil ?

Availability of biomass is a major problem as it has competitive

usage.

Residue left over or recycling in the field is minimal (only root

biomass)

Fertilizer additions are low: varied between 30-50 kg/ha in rainfed

agriculture as against above 100 kg/ha in irrigated agriculture in

India

Thus, yield levels are stabilized, factor productivity is less, soils are

degraded and resulted in multi-nutrient deficiencies.

Thus maintaining and improving soil organic carbon became major

challenge in rainfed agriculture !

Details of location, soil type and production system of studied location

SNo

Production

system

based

AICRPDA

Centre

State Latitude,

Longitude and

Altitude

Soil type Climate Average

Annual

Rainfall

(mm)

1 Groundnut Anantapur Andhra

Pradesh

14 42’ N, 77 40’ E,

350 m

Alfisols Arid 566

2 Rabi Sorghum Solapur Maharashtra 17 51’N, 75 32’E,

480m

Vertisols Semi-

arid

723

3 Finger millet Bangalore Karnataka 12 46’ N, 77 11’ E,

810m

Alfisols Semi-

arid

768

4 Soybean Indore Madhya

Pradesh

22 51’N, 75 51’E,

530m

Vertisols Semi-

arid

900-1000

5 Rice Varanasi Uttar Pradesh 25 11’N, 82 51’E. Inceptisols Sub-

hum

id

1080

6 Pearlmillet SK Nagar Gujarat 24 30’N, 72 13’E,

152.5m

Entisols Arid 550

Selected treatments in permanent manurial trials in the studied locations

Location

Treatmental details

Anantapur

Groundnut

21 years old

(1985-2005)

T1=Control (no fertilizer),

T2=100% recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) (20:40:40 N, P2O5, K2O),

T3=50% RDF+ 4t groundnut shells (GNS) ha-1,

T4= 50% RDF+ 4 t FYM ha-1

T5=100% organic (5t FYM ha-1).

Bangalore

Fingermillet

26 years old

(1978-2005)

T1-Control

T2- FYM @ 10 t/ha

T3- FYM@ 10 t/ha + 50 % NPK

T4-FYM @ 10 t/ha + 100 % NPK

T5- Rec.NPK (25:50 : 25 kg NPK /ha – groundnut; 50: 50:25 Kg NPK/ha –

fingermillet

Solapur

Rabi Sorghum

21 years old

(1985-2006)

T1-Control

T2-25 kg N/ha –Urea

T3-50 kg N/ha – Urea

T4-25 kg N/ha – CR

T5-25 kg N/ha – FYM

T6-25 kg N/ha -CR+25 kg N/ha-Urea

T7-25 kg N/ha -FYM+25 kg N/ha-Urea

T8-25 kg N/ha -CR+25 kg N/ha-Leucaena

T9-25 kg N/ha – Leucaena

T10-25 kg N/ha -Leucaena +25 kg N/ha-Urea

S.K. Nagar

Pearlmillet

18 years

(1988-2006)

T1-Control;

T2-100% recommended dose of N;

T3-50% recommended dose of N (fertilizer);

T4-50% recommended N (FYM);

T5-50% recommended N (fertilizer) + 50% recommended N (FYM);

T6 –Farmers method (5 t of FYM/ha once in 3 years)

Indore

Soybean

15 years old

(1992-2007)

T1-Control;

T2-20 Kg N+ 13 Kg P;

T3-30 Kg N+ 20 Kg;

T4-40 Kg N+ 26 Kg;

T5-60 Kg N+ 35 kg P;

T6-FYM 6t/ha+ N20P13;

T7-Soybean residue 5t/ha+N20P13;

T8-FYM@6t/ha;

T9-Crop residues of Soybean @ 5t/ha.

Varanasi

Upland Rice

21 years old

(1986-2007)

T1-Control;

T2-100% RDF (inorganic);

T3-50% RDF (inorganic);

T4-100% organic (FYM);

T5-50% organic (FYM);

T6-50% RDF+ 50%(foliar);

T7-50% organic (FYM)+ 50%RDF;

T8-Farmers practice

Mean annual and seasonal rainfall in relation mean pod yields of groundnut across the treatments during 20 years

(1985-2005)

Srinivasa Rao et al. (2009)

Trends in yield levels of groundnut (Alfisol) due to different integrated nutrient management under rainfed conditions (moving averages)

0.0

20.0

40.0

60.0

80.0

100.0

120.0

140.0

160.0

180.0

Control 100% RDF 50% RDF+4t gnut

shells

50%RDF+4t FYM 5 t FYM /ha

Treatment

Av

aila

ble

N (

kg

/ha

)0-20cm 20-40cm 40-60cm 60-80cm 80-100cm

Effect of 20 years of cropping, fertilization, groundnut

shells and FYM addition on Available N of Alfisol

profile

0.0

5.0

10.0

15.0

20.0

25.0

30.0

35.0

Control 100% RDF 50% RDF+4t gnut

shells

50%RDF+4t FYM 5 t FYM /ha

Treatment

Av

aila

ble

P (

kg

/ha

)

0-20cm 20-40cm 40-60cm 60-80cm 80-100cm

Effect of 20 years of cropping, fertilization,

groundnut shells and FYM addition on Available P

of Alfisol profile

280 kg/ha

* After 20 years manuring and fertilization, available N was still low in

all the treatments.

* However available P reached to medium to high range

0.0

20.0

40.0

60.0

80.0

100.0

120.0

140.0

160.0

180.0

Control 100% RDF 50% RDF+4t

gnut shells

50%RDF+4t

FYM

5 t FYM/ha

Treatment

Av

ail

ab

le K

(k

g/h

a)

0-20cm 20-40cm 40-60cm 60-80cm 80-100cm

0.0

2.0

4.0

6.0

8.0

10.0

12.0

14.0

16.0

Control 100% RDF 50% RDF+4t gnut

shells

50%RDF+4t FYM 5 t FYM /ha

Treatment

Ex

. C

a (

me

/10

0g

)

0-20cm 20-40cm 40-60cm 60-80cm 80-100cm

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

3.5

Control 100% RDF 50% RDF+4t

gnut shells

50%RDF+4t

FYM

5 t FYM/ha

Treatment

Ex

. M

g (

me

/10

0g

)

0-20cm 20-40cm 40-60cm 60-80cm 80-100cm

0.0

5.0

10.0

15.0

20.0

25.0

30.0

35.0

Control 100% RDF 50% RDF+4t gnut

shells

50%RDF+4t FYM 5 t FYM /ha

Treatment

Av

aila

ble

S (

kg

/ha

)

0-20cm 20-40cm 40-60cm 60-80cm 80-100cm

Even after 20 years of manuring, available K, Ca, Mg and S are in the medium

range

0.00

0.10

0.20

0.30

0.40

0.50

0.60

0.70

0.80

Control 100% RDF 50% RDF+4t gnut

shells

50%RDF+4t FYM 5 t FYM /ha

Treatment

Av

aila

ble

Zn

(m

g/k

g)

0-20cm 20-40cm 40-60cm 60-80cm 80-100cm

0.00

0.05

0.10

0.15

0.20

0.25

0.30

0.35

0.40

Control 100% RDF 50% RDF+4t gnut

shells

50%RDF+4t FYM 5 t FYM /ha

Treatment

Av

aila

ble

B (

mg

/kg

)

0-20cm 20-40cm 40-60cm 60-80cm 80-100cm

Available Zn Available B

Twenty years of integrated nutrient management options followed

have not improved available Zn and B contents above critical limits

0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

Control 100% RDF 50% RDF+4t

gnut shells

50%RDF+4t

FYM

5 t FYM /ha

Treatment

Org

an

ic C

arb

on

, %

0-20cm

20-40cm

40-60cm

60-80cm

80-100cm

Organic Carbon in Alfisol Profile after 20 Years of Cropping and Manuring

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

Control 100% RDF 50% RDF+4t

gnut shells

50%RDF+4t

FYM

5 t FYM /ha

Treatment

MB

C(u

g/g

so

il) 0-20cm

20-40cm

40-60cm

60-80cm

80-100cm

Microbial Biomass Carbon and POC in Alfisol Profile after 20 Years of

Cropping and Manuring

0.00

0.05

0.10

0.15

0.20

0.25

0.30

0.35

0.40

0.45

Control 100% RDF 50% RDF+4t

gnut shells

50%RDF+4t

FYM

5 t FYM /ha

Treatment

PO

C (

%)

0-20cm

20-40cm

40-60cm

60-80cm

80-100cm

MBC POC

Srinivasa Rao et al. (2007)

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

Control 100% RDF 50% RDF+4t gnut

shells

50%RDF+4t FYM 5 t FYM /ha

Treatment

De

hy

drg

en

ag

e (

ug

TP

F/g

so

il/2

4 h

r)0-20cm 20-40cm 40-60cm 60-80cm 80-100cm

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

Control 100% RDF 50% RDF+4t gnut

shells

50%RDF+4t FYM 5 t FYM /ha

Treatment

Ary

l S

ulf

ata

se

(u

gP

NF

/g s

oil/h

r)

0-20cm 20-40cm 40-60cm 60-80cm 80-100cm

0.0

5.0

10.0

15.0

20.0

25.0

Control 100% RDF 50% RDF+4t gnut

shells

50%RDF+4t FYM 5 t FYM /ha

Treatment

Ure

as

e (

ug

NH

4/g

so

il/h

r)

0-20cm 20-40cm 40-60cm 60-80cm 80-100cm

Effect of 20 years of cropping,

fertilization, groundnut shells and

FYM addition on a) dehydrogenase,

b) Aryl sulfatase, c) Urease activity of

Alfisol profile at Anantapur

0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

Control 100% RDF 50% RDF+4t

gnut shells

50%RDF+4t

FYM

5 t FYM/ha

Treatment

Org

an

ic c

arb

on

(%

)

Buildup

Initial

Build up of organic carbon in Alfisol (0-20 cm) after 20

years of cropping, fertilization and manuring

Bangalore: Long Term Manurial Experiment in Acid Alfisol

(1978-2005)

0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

Cont rol FYM 10t ha-1 FYM 10 t +50%NPK FYM 10 t +100%NPK 100% NPK

Treatment

Org

an

ic c

arb

on

(%

)Initial Buildup

Build up of organic carbon in Alfisol (0-20 cm) after 28 years of

Ragi-Ragi cropping, fertilization and manuring (Bangalore)

-0.20

-0.10

0.00

0.10

0.20

0.30

0.40

0.50

0.60

0.70

0.80

Cont rol FYM 10t ha-1 FYM 10 t +50%NPK FYM 10 t +100%NPK 100% NPK

Treatment

Org

an

ic c

arb

on

(%

)

Initial Buildup

Build up/depletion of organic carbon in Alfisol (0-20 cm) after 28 years of

Groundnut-Ragi cropping, fertilization and manuring. (Bangalore)

0.00

0.10

0.20

0.30

0.40

0.50

0.60

0.70

Cont rol 50 kg N (urea) 25 kg N (crop residue)

+ 25kg N (urea)

25 kg N (FYM) + 25 kg

N (urea)

25 kg N (crop residue)

+ 25kg N (Leucaena)

25 kg N (Leucaena) +

25kg N (urea)

Treatment

Org

an

ic c

arb

on

(%

)

Initial Buildup

Build up/depletion of organic carbon in Vertisols (0-20 cm) after 20 years

of Soybean-safflower cropping, fertilization and green leaf manuring and

crop residue addition (Solapur)

-0.20

-0.10

0.00

0.10

0.20

0.30

0.40

Cont rol 100 % RDN

(Fert ilizer)

50 % RDN (Fert ilizer) 50 % N (FYM) 50 % N (Fert ) + 50% N

(FYM)

Farmer’s met hod (5 t

FYM ha-1 once in 3

yrs)

Treatment

Org

an

ic c

arb

on

(%

)

Initial Buildup

Build up/depletion of organic carbon in Aridisol (0-20 cm) after long

term cropping, nutrient addition through conjunctive use of inorganic

fertilizer and FYM and adoption of farmer‟s. (SK Nagar)

Build up/depletion of organic carbon in Vertisol (0-20 cm) after 15

years of long term cropping, fertilization, and FYM and crop residue

addition (Indore)

-0.05

0.00

0.05

0.10

0.15

0.20

0.25

0.30

0.35

0.40

Cont rol 100% RDF

(inorganic)

50% RDF

(inorganic)

100% organic

(FYM)

50% organic

(FYM)

50% RDF+

50%(f oliar)

50% organic

(FYM)+

50%RDF

Farmers

pract ice

Treatment

Org

an

ic c

arb

on

(%

)

Initial Buildup

Build up/depletion of organic carbon in Inceptisol (0-20 cm) after long-

term rice-lentil cropping sequence, fertilization, and FYM addition.

(Varanasi)

Conclusions

Yield reductions in rainfed agriculture is serious issue

Low organic carbon and emerging nutrient deficiencies are important

reasons

Soil organic carbon levels can be maintained by regular additions of

organic matter even under arid and semi-arid conditions

Optimum moisture level in soil and nutrient application should be

synchronized.

ICRISAT (CGIAR) Experience (2006-2008)

V) Watershed Management under Semi Arid Tropics

Multi disciplinary team (Agronomists, Plant Breeders,

Microbiologists, Soil Water Conservation Engineers, Social

Scientists, Agro meteorologists, Plant Protection Scientists.

CGIAR, NARS, Governmental Agencies, NGOs, Extension agencies

Several states in India and Several donors including World Bank

Micronutrient deficiencies

Biofortification

Worked extensively with farmers of semi arid tropics in several

states and several rainfed crops and also vegetables

Several thousands of soil samples collected in farmer participatory mode.

Extensive deficiencies of S, B and Zn along with major nutrients

5 districts of Karnataka were mapped with GIS for soil fertility.

Soil health cards were distributed for 12,000 farmers

Based on fertility status, improved method consisting of recommended

dose of NP and S, Zn and B yielded 30-40 per cent higher yields.

Srinivasa Rao et al. Indian. J.Dryland Agril. (2008)

Srinivasa Rao et al. International J. Crop Production (2008)

Organic Carbon

Organic Carbon

Sample points

SSP_Boundary

Organic Carbon

<VALUE>

< 0.4

0.4 - 0.6

> 0.6

NITROGEN

Nitrogen

Sample points

SSP_Boundary

Nitrogen

<VALUE>

< 150

150 - 250

> 250

Available Phosphorus

Phosphorus

Sample points

SSP_Boundary

phosphorus

<VALUE>

3.99 - 10.05

10.05 - 25.03

25.03 - 42.09

Nutrient Deficiencies can be mapped with GPS and these

locations can be useful for impact studies and long term

monitoring the soil quality parameters

GIS Mapping

Soil Quality Index

SQI

Sample points

SSP_Boundary

sqi

<VALUE>

3.32 - 3.76

3.76 - 4.20

4.20 - 4.64

4.64 - 5.08

5.08 - 5.52

Available Potassium

Potassium

Sample points

SSP_Boundary

Potasium

Value

< 250

250 - 350

> 350

Fertilization based on GIS mapping

for up scaling

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Crop Additional benefit due to increased

yield due to balanced fertilization

(Rs/ha) (US $)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fingermillet 6300 130

Sunflower 21000 430

Maize 16000 320

Groundnut 15200 310

Soybean 14410 285

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Economic Benefits Due to Balanced Nutrition in

Karnataka

Legume Intercropping

Nitrogen Fixation by some Pulse Crops

------------------------------------------------

Crop N2 fixed(kg/ha)

---------------------------------------------

Chickpea 3-141

Lentil 10-192

Fieldpea 17-244

Fababean 53-330

---------------------------------------------

Residue Recycling-Soybean

Vermicomposting

Vermi-wash

Weeds can be potential organic sources

Organic carbon 9.8-13.4N 0.51-1.61P 0.19-1.02K 0.15-0.73Ca 1.18-7.61Mg 0.093-0.568Zn 0.0042-0.110

Nutrient content Vermicompost (%)

Bio-Fertilizers

-Rhizobium Inoculation

Eco-friendly

•Gliricidia leaves contain 3.4% N, 0.1% P and 1.8% K besides several other nutrients.

•Gliricidia plants grown on 700 m long bunds can provide about 30 kg N/ha/year

On Farm Generation of

Organic Matter

Total number of Tanks = 21

Amount of sediment = 48777 tons

Amount of Carbon = 521 tons

Amount of Nitrogen = 34.1 tons

Amount of Phosphorus = 14.9 tons

N Fertilizer Equivalent = Rs 378240

P Fertilizer Equivalent = Rs 285174

B:C Ratio of Desilting of Tanks: 1.23

Amount of Sediment, Organic Carbon, N and P Contents in Different Tanks in

Medak District of Andhra Pradesh

Potential of organic and biological resources in India

------------------------------------------------------------

Resource Annual potential dung/biomass(m t)

------------------------------------------------------------

Cattle - 745 Crop Residue-100

Buffalo- 258 Forest litter-15.0

Goat and Sheep-12.2 Water hyacinth-3.0

Pigs-5.0 Rural compost-226

Poultry- 3.4 Urban compost-6.0

Other livestock-6.1 Total-1410

Human beings-10.1 Paroda (1997)

------------------------------------------------------------

Fertilizer equivalent of organic materials (m tons)

---------------------------------------------------------

Organic Waste 1991 2011 2025

---------------------------------------------------------

Crop Residues 0.76 1.10 1.33

Animal Wastes 3.70 5.40 6.69

Municipal wastes 0.02 0.03 0.04

Sewage Wastes 0.15 0.21 0.27

Total 4.65 6.75 8.73

---------------------------------------------------------

VI) African Soils

@ Desert Soils

@ Sandy Soils

@ Acid Soils

@ Deep Clay Soils

@ Shallow Soils

@ Mediterranean Soils

Banana: 50 N, 15kg P, 175 kg K, 10kg Ca, 25kg Mg (30t/ha); for 58

t/ha nutrient requirements are doubled.

Cassava: 12 t FYM/ha, 100-50-100 NPK (30-35 t/ha); 12 t FYM/ha, 75-

50-75 NPK (25-30t/ha), 12t FYM/ha, 50-25-50 NPK (20-25 t/ha) besides

Ca, Mg and S (not in the recommendation presently)

Soybean: Removal per tonne grain (67kg N, 18kg P2O5, 45kg K2O,

7kg S, 14 kg Ca, 8kg Mg, 80g Zn, 346g Fe, 83 g Mn and 30 g Cu

Maize: Removal per tenne grain (26kg N, 14kg P2O5, 36kg K2O)

Yam: 10-15 t FYM/ha, 80-60-80 NPK besides secondary and micro

nutrients

Nutrient Uptake by IITA Mandate Crops

Fertilizer application: Regionally 16 kg/ha in southern Africa, 8

kg/ha in eastern Africa, 3 kg/ha in Central Africa and 4 kg/ha in

Sudano-Sahelian zone. Average nutrient removal in Africa= 30-40

kg/ha

This compares with 96 kg/ha in S and SE Asia, 101 kg/ha in south

Asia, and 78 kg/ha in Latin America (Morris et al., 2007).

Optimum plant nutrition strategies: Critical nutrients!

Integrated nutrient management- On farm generation

Upscaling the fertility management practices (Secondary

and Micronutrients) (GIS tools)

Mobilization of soil reserve nutrients- Native P

Selection of efficient genotypes: Water & nutrient stress

Water and nutrient interactions: Water productivity

Best bet options: Genotype x Water x Nutrient

interaction should be tapped

Issues in Soil Science Research and Way Forward:

African Situations

• Nutrient use efficiency: Key issue (Reducing losses and

efficient genotypes)

• Plant nutrition and human health:Combating malnutrition

• Land degradation, soil health or quality: Long term

sustainability

• Conservation agriculture: Minimum tillage, nutrient

recycling, reduced runoff, low energy, reduced soil loss

• Carbon sequestration strategies: Climatic Change

Issues in Soil Science Research and Way forward:

African Situations

Directors of IISS- Bhopal, IIPR-Kanpur, CRIDA-

Hyderabad, India

Director General- ICRISAT, India

Partners and collaborators

Tel-Aviv University

Farmers

Students, trainees, interns

Donars

Was elected as Fellow “National Academy of Agricultural

Sciences (NAAS)” in 2008 for overall contributions in

NRM Research.

Acknowledgements

Thank You Very Much