Description of practice
Integrated nutrient management utilizes soil, nutrient, water, crop, and vegetation management practices with the aim of improving and sustaining soil fertility and land productivity and reducing environmental degradation.
| Examples of how to use integrated nutrient management | Further information (see Note below) |
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Replacing mineral fertilizers with organic matter inputMineral fertilizers are (partly) replaced by organic fertilizers in order to increase organic matter input and improve soil quality in general, reduce wind erosion, reduce nitrate leaching, increase soil biodiversity and make the soil more resilient to stress factors like drought or excessive rainfall. |
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Balanced fertilizationDifferent types of fertilizer (such as compost, mineral fertilizers, gypsum and micro-nutrients) are applied at adjusted, balanced rates to improve soil nutrient status, prevent nutrient mining and increase water holding capacity and crop productivity. |
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Manure separation to better distribute organic matter at farm levelSlurry manure is fed through a separator into a thick fraction (rich in P and used in maize fields or as a substrate in cow stables) and a thin fraction (rich in N and used on other parts of the farm or exported from the farm to be treated for discharge in the environment). |
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Foliar fertilizer applicationsEssential plant nutrients are applied as corrective foliar fertilizer based on visual symptoms or plant tissue tests to complement initial soil application. Nutrient concentration and day temperature should be optimal to avoid leaf burning. |
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Manure management planA simple manure management plan is drawn up identifying fields (or parts of fields) where spreading restrictions apply and crops that most efficiently use manure. |
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Carbon farmingPractices are implemented that are known to improve the rate at which CO2 is removed from the atmosphere and converted to plant material and/or soil organic matter. Such carbon farming practices can be holistically inventoried using a carbon farm plan. |
»Genetic Literacy Project |
Note: Most of the Further information links are to a full description of the example in the WOCAT database. However sometimes the link may be to similar practices or a research paper. Occasionally the link is to a commercial product in which case it should be understood that this does not imply any endorsement of the product by iSQAPER.