Assessment of macronutrients and soil fertility status of an Inceptisol: A review

Abstract

Macronutrients (N, P, K) are important soil elements that control its fertility. Soil characterization in relation to evaluation of fertility status of the soil of an area or region is an important aspect in context of sustainable agriculture production. Because of imbalanced and inadequate fertilizers use and coupled with low efficiency of other inputs, the response (production) efficiency of chemical fertilizers (nutrients) declined tremendously under intensive cultivation in recent years. Variation in nutrients supply is a natural phenomenon and some of them may be sufficient where others deficient. Nitrogen being an essential constituent of protein is a vitally important plant nutrient. Nitrogen is one of the 17 essential plant nutrients indispensable for growth and development of crop plants. Phosphorus stands next in importance after N among the essential nutrients. Phosphorus, amongst NPK can be called “The master key” with respect to the yield crops. Potassium is essential for various metabolic activities of living cell, transformation of carbohydrates, reduction of nitrates, synthesis of protein and normal meristematic activities where it acts as a catalyst or as a co-factor in enzymatic reaction of living cells.