Fertilization (Nutrient Management) in
Farming
Definition: Fertilization (Nutrient Management) is the process of supplying essential
nutrients to crops to ensure healthy growth, higher yield, and soil fertility. Fertilizers can be
organic (natural) or inorganic (chemical), and the choice depends on crop type, soil
condition, and climate.
Types of Fertilizers in Nutrient Management
1.
Organic Fertilizers (Eco-friendly & sustainable)
• Compost – decomposed organic matter; improves soil fertility for vegetables and
pulses.
• Cow dung & Farmyard Manure (FYM) – rich in nitrogen; used for paddy, banana,
coconut.
• Green Manure (Sesbania, Cowpea, Dhaincha) – ploughed into soil before sowing;
increases nitrogen.
• Coconut husk & coir pith – improve water retention in sandy soils of Kerala’s
coastal regions.
• Neem cake – pest control + slow nutrient release (used in coconut, pepper, arecanut).
2.
Inorganic (Chemical) Fertilizers in Nutrient Management
• Nitrogen (N): Urea, Ammonium Sulphate → promotes leaf growth.
• Phosphorus (P): Single Super Phosphate (SSP), Diammonium Phosphate (DAP) →
for root development.
• Potassium (K): Muriate of Potash (MOP) → improves fruit/seed quality.
• Micronutrients: Zinc sulphate, Borax, Magnesium sulphate → correct soil
deficiencies.
Fertilization (Nutrient Management) by Major Crops in
Kerala
Paddy (Rice) – grown in clayey & loamy wet soils
• Organic: Green manure + cow dung slurry.
• Chemical: 40–60 kg Nitrogen (N), 20–30 kg Phosphorus (P₂O₅), 40–60 kg Potassium
(K₂O) per acre (applied in split doses).
• Special practice: Urea super granules deep placed in fields for better efficiency.
Coconut – coastal sandy + laterite soils
• Organic: 25–30 kg compost/FYM per palm yearly.
• Chemical: 500 g Nitrogen (N), 320 g Phosphorus (P₂O₅), 1200 g Potassium (K₂O) per
palm/year.
• Extra: Neem cake and ash often applied at the basin.
Banana – alluvial & well-drained soils
• Organic: Compost, wood ash, FYM before planting.
• Chemical: 200–300 g Nitrogen (N), 60–90 g Phosphorus (P₂O₅), 300 g Potassium
(K₂O) per plant (in 3–4 split doses).
• Extra: Drip fertigation widely used.
Rubber – laterite soils (high rainfall zones)
• Organic: Green manure cover crops in plantations.
• Chemical: NPK 12:6:6 mixture for immature plants; NPK 10:10:10 for mature trees.
Pepper – grown in hill slopes with loamy soil
• Organic: FYM, vermicompost, neem cake.
• Chemical: NPK @ 50 g Nitrogen (N) : 50 g Phosphorus (P₂O₅) : 150 g Potassium
(K₂O) per vine/year.
• Extra: Foliar micronutrients for better berry setting.
Tea & Coffee – acidic hill soils (Wayanad, Idukki)
• Tea: Nitrogen-rich fertilizers (Ammonium Sulphate), organic mulch with shade trees.
• Coffee: Compost + NPK + micronutrients like Boron.
Spices (Cardamom, Ginger, Turmeric) – forest loamy soils
• Cardamom: Compost + NPK (40 g Nitrogen (N) : 20 g Phosphorus (P₂O₅) : 60 g
Potassium (K₂O) per clump).
• Ginger/Turmeric: FYM + NPK + biofertilizers (Trichoderma, Azospirillum).
Fertilization (Nutrient Management) by Soil Type in
Kerala
• Laterite soils (Palakkad, Kannur, Kasaragod): Need more organic manure & lime
(to reduce acidity).
• Alluvial soils (Alappuzha, Kuttanad): Balanced use of Nitrogen & Potassium for
rice.
• Sandy soils (coastal areas): Add compost, coconut husk, and drip fertigation.
• Forest loamy soils (Wayanad, Idukki): Good for spices → need phosphorus &
organic mulch.
• Black soils (Palakkad pockets): Rich but require drainage → ideal for cotton &
pulses.
Integrated Nutrient Management (INM)
A modern approach in Kerala is to combine organic + inorganic fertilizers to maintain
long-term soil fertility. Example: Using FYM + biofertilizers + limited NPK application.
