Principles Of Organic Agriculture PDF

Principles of Organic Agriculture Hamsa Khaled Sec.5 Mn  In agriculture, nutrients refer to the essential elements that plants need for growth, development, and reproduction. They play key roles in various physiological processes, such as: photosynthesis, respira...

Principles of Organic Agriculture Hamsa Khaled Sec.5 Mn  In agriculture, nutrients refer to the essential elements that plants need for growth, development, and reproduction. They play key roles in various physiological processes, such as: photosynthesis, respiration, and cell division. Soil is a major source of nutrients needed by plants for growth.  Nutrients can be classified into: Primary Macronutrients Secondary Macronutrients Micro nutrients  Importance of Nutrients in Agriculture Plant health Soil fertility N: Essential for leaf and stem growth, photosynthesis, It is a key component of chlorophyll and amino acids. P: Important for root development, flowering, and fruiting. K: Vital for overall plant health, stress resistance, and the regulation of water use. It helps in photosynthesis, enzyme activation, and disease resistance.  Nutrient Management Is the process of optimizing nutrient use to meet crop needs while minimizing nutrient loss to the environment and ensuring soil health. Effective nutrient management involves; calculating the right type and amount of nutrients required by crops and managing their application based on various factors such as soil conditions, crop requirements, and environmental conditions.  How can we achieve Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) ?  1. Soil Testing Nutrients analysis to determine nutrients levels already present in soil. Soil testing laboratories provide information on soil pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic matter, and nutrient levels like N, P, K. pH and soil texture affect nutrient availability.  2. Crop nutrient requirement Each crop has specific nutrient needs for optimal growth, depending on its type, growth stage, and expected yield. These can be estimated from: Crop-specific nutrient requirement tables: These tables provide data on the amount of essential nutrients needed per unit of crop yield.  3. Different nutrient sources Determine which source of nutrients to use and make sure to balance use it. Different sources: Compost Green manure FYM Fish meal GUANO Legumes (N fixation)  4. Nutrient deficiency Visual Diagnosis: Look for visual signs of nutrient deficiencies Yellowing of leaves for nitrogen deficiency Stunted growth, purple color of leaves for phosphorus deficiency