STUDY PLAN

TITLE: Integrated nutrient management in vegetable cropping systems.

INTRODUCTION
The cultivated soils of Pakistan are calcareous and alkaline with pH 7.0 to 8.5. The data generated by
public and private sector organizations in the country reflect the general agreement about the deficiency
of nitrogen (N) in all the soils. In case of phosphorus (P), 80 to 90 percent soils are deficient while
potassium is deficient in 30 to 40 percent soils. Among micronutrients, field-scale deficiencies of
economic significance prevail in case of Zn, B and Fe. The organic matter content of the majority of
cultivated lands averages around 0.5 percent. About 84 percent soil samples analyzed have shown that
organic matter content is very low (Ahmed and Rashid, 2003). The use of chemical fertilizers is
inevitable in above scenario to ensure food security for increasing populations, but its unwise use has
created problems. Besides, the cost of chemical fertilizers has been increasing and it has become
unaffordable for many farmers.
On the environmental side, irrational fertilizer utilization has led to environmental pollution. For
example, losses of N and P through leaching and run-off have led to drinking water pollution, which
affects 30 percent of the population, and result in eutrophication in 61 percent of the lakes in the country.
Agricultural pollution also produces considerable emissions of nitrogen oxides. (Zhang, et al, 2007).
Long term strategies are needed to curtail the use of chemical fertilizers without adversely affecting crop
productivity.
Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) is the maintenance of soil fertility for sustaining increased crop
productivity through optimizing all possible sources, organic and inorganic, of plant nutrients required
for crop growth and quality in integrated manner, appropriate to each cropping system and farming
situation in its ecological, social and economic possibilities (Roy, 1986). In the INM approach, the
strategy is to manage nutrients according to different nutrients specific characteristics; with sound soil
management practices and other farming techniques. These new nutrient management systems can, on
average, reduce N fertilizer inputs by 26 percent, save P fertilizer inputs by 20 percent, raise grain yields
by 8 percent and reduce N loss by 47 percent compared to conventional agricultural practice (Fan et al,
2009)
Vegetables are healthy component of human food. Most of the vegetables are consisted of 70% water,
with about 3.5% protein and less than 1% fat. They are good sources of minerals, especially calcium,
iron and vitamins, mainly A and C. Vegetables are the main source of food in Pakistan but it is lagging
behind in vegetable exports, while China is leading exporter of vegetables in word today and there is a
lot to learn for Pakistan from Chinas success and implement it locally. Even though, there is still room
for improvement in China too. There is little doubt date current nutrient management practices are not
sustainable and more efficient management systems need to be developed (Yuxin et al, 2010).

There are large amounts of organic wastes produced in vegetable systems which need to be properly
utilized otherwise; it can produce considerable emissions of nitrogen oxides, carbon dioxide, methane
etc which escape in to atmosphere and contribute to global warming through green house effect. This
problem can be avoided if those organic wastes are recycled within the system which in turn improves
soil chemical and physical properties. That potential varies from one cropping system to another
cropping system. Need to identify those cropping system which have this potential.
Turning to organic farming offers increased farmers net profitability on one hand and solves the waste
management problem on the other hand. Organic vegetables are highly valuable and fetch a premium
price of 10 percent to 50 percent over conventional products. Market of organic products is growing at
faster rate (20%) as compared to conventional ones (5%). This growth rate is highest in Japan, USA,
Australia and EU. Export preference of organic vegetables offers a great scope (Maity and Tripathy,
2010).
BREIF METHODOLOGY
This proposal is meant to focus on vegetable cropping systems and identifying those crops and cropping
systems in which the production is limited, poor in nutritive value and are not environmental friendly
especially because of the heavy reliance on chemical fertilizers. Vegetables, whether consumed locally
or whether they are exported, their nutritive value has to be according to international standards and it
should also meet the criteria for export. Inclusion of organic resources of nutrition solely or in
combination with chemical fertilizers can help alleviate the problem, increase production, soil fertility
and farmers net profitability.
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
1. To find out best combination of integrated nutrient management principles and practices with
innovative crop management approaches
2. To establish sustainable nutrient management systems that can precisely match farm to farm
environmental variability in nutrient supply and crop demand for vegetable cropping systems
3. To enhance nutrient use efficiency which can improve crop yield and protect the environment.
OUTCOME / BENEFITS
It is expected that this proposed research will bring the scientists of two friendly countries closer and
benefit the agriculture, especially with reference to Integrated Nutrient Management in vegetables
cropping systems. Agriculture Extension is the main channel that is used for disseminating technologies
to farmers and growers. After completion of the proposed research the benefits of the technology will be
introduced among the growers for adoption and implementation, through Agriculture Extension process.

REFERENCES
Ahmad, N. and M. Rashid. 2003. Fertilizer and Their Use in Pakistan. Training Bulletin, third Edition,
Islamabad
Fan, Mingsheng Zhang, Fusuo Zhang, Fusuo Jiang, and Rongfeng, 2009. Integrated nutrient
management for sustainable agriculture in China, The Proceedings of the International Plant Nutrition
Colloquium XVI, Department of Plant Sciences, UC Davis, UC Davis
http://escholarship.org/uc/item/5hc5k91x [Accessed on 3-11-2010]
F.S. Zhang, M.S. Fan and W.F. Zhang. 2007. Principles, dissemination and performance
of fertilizer best management practices developed in China. Papers presented at the IFA International
Workshop on Fertilizer Best Management Practices 7-9 March 2007, Brussels, Belgium International
Fertilizer Industry Association Paris, France.
www.fertilizer.org/ifacontent/download/7408/116740/version/1/file/2007_IFA_FBMP_part_3 [Accessed
on 3-11-2010]
Roy, R.N., 1986. FAO, Fertilizer programme with special reference to integrated plant nutrition system.
Fertilizer in agricultural development. Krishak Bharati Cooperative Limited, New Delhi, India. 149-169
pp.
T.K.Maity and P.Tripathy, 2010. Organic Farming of Vegetables in India: Problems and Prospects.
Department of Vegetable Crops Faculty of Horticulture Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya.
http://www.infobridge.org/asp/documents/2997.pdf [Accessed on 3-11-2010]
Yuxin Miao, Bobby A. Stewart and Fusuo Zhang, 2010. Long-term experiments for sustainable nutrient
management in China. A review. Journal; Agronomy for Sustainable Agriculture.
http://www.agronomy-journal.org/index.php?
option=com_article&access=doi&doi=10.1051/agro/2010034&Itemid=129 [Accessed on 5-11-2010]

Mansoor Ahmed Bughio

(Zhang guangqiang)
Agriculture Officer
Agriculture Extension Department
Government of Sindh, Pakistan
Office of The District Officer
Agriculture Extension Jamshoro
at Kotri, Sindh Pakistan
Phone (Office): 92-22-3784041
Cell Phone: 92-313-3010109
Email: mansoorbughio786@gmail.com