Fertiliser Nitrogen in Indian Agriculture - Retrospective and Prospective

摘要

The paper presents a review on the history of fertiliser nitrogen (FN) use in India. It constructs a date line for: FN manufacture, consumption, use pattern with reference to other FN carriers, major nutrients, crops, seasons and farm sizes. Fertiliser N removal-addition balance, fate of FN in soil and relation of FN transformation products and their role in climate change, soil and water pollution are some key highlights of this article. It ends by emphasizing on enhancing FN use efficiency as the key strategy by inducting precise FN management interventions such as condition-specific management replacing the ongoing ad hoc handling.