Impact of Fertilisers on the Yield and Nutrient Uptake of Diverse Crops

摘要

This paper analyses and summarises the information on the impact of fertiliser application on yield and nutrient uptake by 23 diverse crops under field conditions. The crops covered are cereals, millets, pulses, oilseeds, potato, cotton, sugarcane, vegetables, spices and a medicinal plant as well. Nutrient uptake is discussed in absolute terms, on per hectare basis and also on per unit yield production basis. For each crop, the impact of fertiliser application on yield, nutrient uptake and N:P2O5:K2O uptake ratios is examined. Absolute nutrient uptake by different crops ranges from less than 100 to more than 1,000 kg N+P2O5+K2O/ha. Variation in nutrient uptake/ha was larger than the variation on per unit yield basis, as expected. However, the ratio in which these major nutrients are absorbed is determined more by the nature of the crop than the fertilsation practices. Among food grains, finger millet has a particularly high uptake of phosphorus and same is the case with potassium in case of pearl millet. Turmeric stands out as a crop which absorbs as much or more P2O5 than N.