Importance of soil testing and techniques of soil sampling

Sustainable crop production through balanced nutrition is the need of the hour. Judicious use of natural resources viz. soil and water is a must through different techniques viz. soil test based fertilization, green manuring, biofertilizers etc. and these techniques must be reached to the farmer opf the region through different training programmes and by conducting onfarm experiments. We are aware that for increasing the food production to fulfill the food requirements of the burgeoning population of the country sustainability of agriculture and environmental safety are the priority issues. To avoid wastage of precious national resource and to minimize the environmental damage there is need develop and demonstrate balanced use of chemical fertilizer. Soil testing is a tool which helps us to quantify the different fertilizers based on the crop need and soil supply. But correct technique for soil sampling is equally important which further provide us correct information regarding soil nutrient supplying capacity and hence soil health.

I worked as Assistant Professor (Soil Science) from Jan. 2006 at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Kapurthala where I am incharge of Soil and water testing lab and Front Line Demonstration project. Upto 2010 our lab stood 3rd in Punjab and 4th in the North Zone of India and in FLDs we encourage the farmers to go for soil test based fertilizers application.