International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics
Abstract
Diagnostic soil analysis in targeted clusters of eight districts in Andhra Pradesh revealed critical
deficiencies of sulphur (61 to 98%), boron (23 to 98%) and zinc (45 to 85%) in addition to that
of soil carbon (25 to 97%), and phosphorus (14 to 84%) which are apparently holding back
the productivity potential. The soil test based application of sulphur, boron and zinc together
increased productivity by 8 to 102% in cotton, groundnut, castor, sorghum, greengram, cowpea,
chickpea and maize. Economic assessment reveal that per rupee invested as additional cost
(` 1,400/- to ` 2,150/-) gave ` 1.6 to 28.5 in return. Residual benefits of balanced nutrition
were observed during 4 succeeding seasons. Soil health improved in balanced nutrition plots,
inspite of higher yields and nutrient removal. The results showed that balanced nutrition is the
way forward to increase crop productivity through resilience building of production systems and
improve farm based livelihoods in the SAT regions
