In India Red & Lateritic soils comprise an area of about 70 m ha covering around 28% of the total land area of the country and 27% geographical area of West Bengal. These soils are predominantly low productive owing mainly to non-availability of almost all the major nutrients and a few micronutrients. However, nitrogen is the major nutrient which is more commonly applied in the form of fertilizer in such soil zones and use of the other two major nutrients is much less in this belt. This leaves ample opportunity for improving productivity of these soils through adequate adoption of soil test based balanced fertilization using nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. In addition, studies carried out under a PPIC supported programme at this Institute has shown that use of other productivity limiting nutrients like sulphur, zinc, and boron can improve the productivity levels of these soils further. Use of lime may also appear as an effective proposition for increasing the productivity levels of these soils since red and lateritic soils are predominantly acidic in nature. In the proposed work programme, efforts will be made to demonstrate the beneficial effects of soil test based balanced fertilization on different crops cultivated under red and lateritic soil zones to the farmers through participatory trial. Since most of the land areas under red and lateritic soil zones exhibit low yield levels for most of the cultivated crops due to the said nutrient deficiencies, there exists immense possibility of improving the total food production of the country through effective nutrient management of this vast land area. The ongoing studies under a PPIC supported work programme at Visva-Bharati have clearly demonstrated the efficiency of soil test based nutrient management in red and lateritic soil zones under rice – mustard –sesame cropping sequence. The proposed project aims to disseminate the beneficial results of soil test based balanced nutrient management to farmers of this soil zone through participatory trials.
The major objectives of the current project is to demonstrate and educate the farmers about importance of soil test based fertilization for improved crop productivity (Rice, Mustard, Potato and Vegetables).and profit in red and lateritic soil zones of West Bengal.This project will help in boosting yield level of low producing red and lateritic soil belt by providing adequate plant nutrition in such soils. Carrying out the investigation through on – farm trials will help in generating awareness among farmers about balanced use of adequate amount of different nutrient inputs for getting better yield of crops.