Methods of Fertilizer Application

Fertilizer Application Methods


Broadcast Application

                Application of fertilizer by hand or by machine as uniformly as possible to the surface of a field is called broadcast method.

It is a good practice to apply half the quantity of fertilizer across the field and the remaining half along the field. Fertilizer is usually broadcasted at the time of last plowing. It should be incorporated into the upper soil layer by plowing and planking. It may be left on the surface in some cases. Fertilizer applied at this stage in known as basal dressing.
Advantages: this method gives fairly good results in case of crops like cereals and millets (wheat, rice, oat, barley) which are planted in narrow rows o in crops sown by broadcast method because roots of such crops are present everywhere in field.
Incorporation of fertilizers into the soil elevates the fertility status of entire plow layer and reduces the loss of N by volatilization.
Disadvantages: it reduces the fertilizer utilization efficiency because of uneven distribution as some plants will receive too much, other too little, or other may be none, particularly in row crops. It stimulates weed growth.
Application without incorporation or mixing with the surface soil can lead to N losses ammonium volatilization.
Broadcast application would be less effective in barani areas as the surface would dry up quickly and fertilizer cannot move to the root zone and may be beyond the reach of roots particularly with P which is immobile in the soil.

Placement

                Method of application in which fertilizer is distributed or placed in specified location either below or on the soil surface by hand or by machine.


Fertilizers is usually placed on one side of crop row at the time of sowing at a distance of 2” and depth of 2-4” from seed with seed cum fertilizer, single row cotton drill or animal drawn drill.
Advantages: fertilizer is uniformly applied at proper depth. It is utilized to the maximum extent particularly in short duration crops being near to roots. No chance of movement of powdered fertilizer with wind.
Fertilizer availability to weeds is decreased. It also reduces the fixation of P as P comes in contact with the minimum amount of soil.
It reduces the N volatilization losses.
Disadvantages: plants produce more roots on that side where fertilizer is placed than other side. Due to chocking of tractor or animal drawn drill fertilizer will not drop.
There may be gaps where fertilizer is not dropped at the time of taking new lumps of fertilizer in single row cotton drill.


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