Vol. 12, Issue 7 (2023)

Author(s):
Payal Madharia and Atul Kumar

Abstract:
Nutrient dynamics refers to the processes involved in the uptake, retention, transfer, and cycling of nutrients within an ecosystem, particularly in soil-plant systems. Soil nutrient content is closely associated with various soil properties, making it a key indicator of nutrient dynamics in these systems. The dynamics of soil nutrients are significantly influenced by the use of fertilisers and manures. Conducting long-term experiments is highly valuable for comprehending changes in the properties of soil and its process, as well as for assessing the sustainability of soil systems. These experiments provide essential insights for developing strategies to maintain soil health and promote environmental sustainability. Enhancing a plant's ability to efficiently utilize nutrients is a crucial aspect of improving environmental sustainability. However, excessive fertilizer application on a crop may not fully react during the current crop season and can leave a residual effect on the succeeding crop. To develop appropriate fertilizer recommendations for crops, it is vital to repeat experiments over time at the same site, considering factors such as climate, soil, fertilizer, and agronomic practices. Long-term fertilizer experiments are, therefore, indispensable tools for advancing technical knowledge and establishing empirical rules for practical agriculture. Applying farmyard manure (FYM) significantly expands the organic carbon and nitrogen pools in the soil. The evolution of CO2 and the mineralizable organic pools of soil nutrients during crop growth are also significantly increased by the use of chemical fertilizers, whether used alone or in conjunction with FYM. The soil organic carbon (SOC) pool in Indian soils, according to research by Lal and Follett published in 2002, is estimated to account for 2.6% of the global pool at a depth of 2 meters and 2.2% at a depth of 1 meter. Despite the fact that the majority of the soil's nitrogen is contained in the form of organic matter, the pool of acid-hydrolyzable amino acids, amino sugars, and amino acids seems to function as a net source of nitrogen for microorganisms and plants. A significant portion of organic nitrogen compounds in the soil is considered to have reserves of nitrogen (N) from the perspective of plant nutrient availability. Understanding the dynamics of phosphorus (P) from soil to plants is crucial for optimizing P management, enhancing P use efficiency, reducing reliance on chemical P fertilizers, promoting soil P acquisition by plants, and facilitating P recycling from manure and waste. The behavior of potassium in the soil is more influenced by cation exchange reactions rather than microbiological processes. Worldwide, sulphur deficiencies in crops have been on the rise due to decreased inputs of sulphur to the soil system and increased sulphur output. Despite their low requirement in plants, the availability of micronutrients is critical for vital plant functions. If micronutrients are unavailable, it can lead to plant abnormalities, reduced growth, and lower yields.