Effect of Integrated Soil Fertility Management on Crop Production: A Review

Abstract

Maintaining soil fertility is one of the main factors affecting the sustainability of food production. Indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers, coupled with neglected maintenance of the vitality of the soil and the use of destructive methods have caused loss or destruction of the existing population of soil organisms. The use of chemical fertilizer, organic fertilizer or bio fertilizer has its advantages and disadvantages in the context of nutrient supply, crop growth and environmental quality. The advantages need to be integrated in order to make optimum use of each type of fertilizer and achieve balanced nutrient management for crop growth. This review study showed that balanced fertilization using both organic and chemical fertilizers is important for maintenance of soil organic matter (OM) content and long-term soil productivity in the tropics where soil OM content is low. The basic concept underlying the ISFM is the adjustment of soil fertility and plant nutrient supply to an optimum level for sustaining desired crop productivity through optimization of the benefits from all possible sources of plant nutrients in an integrated manner. Therefore, increased attention should be being paid to developing an integrated soil fertility management that maintains or enhances soil productivity through balanced use of all sources of nutrients, including chemical fertilizers, organic fertilizers and bio fertilizers.

Keywords: Chemical Fertilizer, Organic Fertilizer, Integrated Soil Fertility Management

DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/9-8-01

Publication date: April 30^th 2019