Crop Production
Level-III
Based on April 2022, Version1
Occupational Standard
Module Title: - Applying Plant
Nutrition Program and
Fertigation
LO #1 Prepare for implementation of plant nutrition
program
1.1.1 What is plant nutrition program?
Plant nutrition is the study of the chemical
elements and compounds necessary for plant
growth, plant metabolism and their external
supply.
Plants, like all other living things, need food
for their growth and development.
Plants require 18 essential elements.
Carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen are derived
from the atmosphere and soil water.
The remaining nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus,
potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, iron, zinc,
manganese, copper, boron, molybdenum, and chlorine are
supplied either from soil minerals and soil organic matter
or by organic or inorganic fertilizers
For plants to utilize these nutrients
efficiently, light, heat, and water must be
adequately supplied. Each type of plant is
unique and has an optimum nutrient range as
well as a minimum requirement level.
Plant nutrition programs are designed to provide plants
with the necessary nutrients for optimal growth and
development.
These programs can be customized based on the specific
needs of the plant and can include fertilization, pest
management, and other practices.
1.1.2 Establishing detail plan, objective,
specification and associated cost
Detailed plan, objectives, specifications and
associated costs are established based on
program requirements and are presented to
farm manager
1.1.3 Importance of implementing of plant nutrition
program
Promote a better understanding of the role of plant nutrients in
securing the sustainability of agriculture and in building up and
maintaining soil productivity;
Ensure that all sources of plant nutrients, especially fertilizers,
are used efficiently for increased agricultural production;
Identify how the application of plant nutrients can affect the
environment and point to ways of avoiding negative impacts;
Formulate recommendations for plant nutrition management in
a framework of Integrated Plant Nutrition Systems (IPNS),
taking into account farmers’ production goals and strategies
within specific agro ecological, social and economic
conditions;
Promote the development of sound advisory services and
efficient input supply systems to farmers;
1.1.4 Identifying soil fertility status
Soil condition including texture, fertility,
depth, alkalinity, salinity, soil reaction,
chemical content, drainage, and water
logging which influence the growth and
development of agricultural crops must also
be considered while selecting a suitable site
for agricultural crops.
The nutritional requirements of the crop are
dependent on factors such as soil fertility,
weather, planting age and crop load, all of
which change over time.
Soil Acidity
Acidity in soils comes from H+ and Al3+ ions in the soil
solution and adsorbed to soil surfaces.
While pH is the measure of H+ in solution, Al3+ is
important in acid soils because between pH 4 and 6, Al3+
reacts with water (H2O) forming AlOH2+, and Al(OH)2+,
releasing extra H+ ions.
Every Al3+ ion can create 3 H+ ions. Many other
processes contribute to the formation of acid soils
including rainfall, fertilizer use, plant root activity and the
weathering of primary and secondary soil minerals. Acid
soils can also be caused by pollutants such as acid rain and
mine spoiling.
Soil Salinity
Salt-affected soils consist of saline and sodic soils, occur
in all continents and under almost all climatic conditions,
but their distribution is relatively more extensive in the
arid and semi-arid regions compared to the humid regions.
Soil salinization and sodification are major soil
degradation processes threatening ecosystem and are
recognized as being among the most important problems
at a global level for agricultural production, food security
and sustainability in arid and semi-arid regions.
There are extensive areas of salt-affected soils
on all the continents but their extent and
distribution have not been studied in detail.
Salt-affected soils have serious impacts on soil
functions leading to an array of consequences,
including significant decreases in agricultural
productivity, water quality, soil biodiversity, and
soil erosion.
Salt-affected soils have a decreased ability to
act as a buffer and filter against pollutants.
The degradation of soil structure and functions
of global ecological systems such as the
hydrological, nutrient and biogeochemical
cycles, impair the provision of ecosystem
services,
Saline soil contains high contents of soluble
salts.
Sodium salts are predominant in the saline
soil. In addition, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+ and Cl−
are also responsible for the salinity of the
soil.
The salinity of the soil increases due to
various reasons such as mineral weathering,
excessive irrigation and the use of fertilizers
and animal wastes, etc.
Alkaline soils
Alkaline soils are clay soils that have a pH
greater than 8.5.
The high pH is due to the high levels of
sodium, calcium, and magnesium. Moreover,
hard water can also raise the pH of the soil to
alkaline levels.
However, the dominating compound in
alkaline soil is sodium carbonate. Sodium
carbonate causes alkaline soils to swell
The key difference between saline and alkaline
soils is that pH of the saline soils ranges in
between 7 to 8.5 while the pH of the alkaline soils
is greater than 8.5.
Soil organic matter
Organic matter plays several key roles in soil
properties and soil processes.
The presence of organic matter improves soil
stability by promoting aggregation which reduces
the potential for soil erosion.
Soil organic matter also improves water retention
in soil and has a high cation exchange capacity
1.1.5 Identifying plant species and varieties
Plants are often thought of as passive in
relation to the environment.
However this is not always a valid
assumption; for there are many plants that
clearly manipulate their environment in a
fashion that tends to makes certain
nutrients more readily available.
Plant species behave in a somewhat characteristic way
and this is clearly illustrated by the varying mineral
composition of different plant growing together in the
same soil or substrate. The following observations have
been generally confirmed:
PH 4.5-5.0:- Blueberry, Bilberry, Heather, Cranberry,
Orchid, Azalea, for blue Hydrangea (less acidic for
pink) , Sweet Gum, Pin Oak
PH 5.0 - 5.5:- Parsley, Potato, Heather, Conifers, Pine,
Sweet Potato, Maize, Millet, Oars, Tye, Radish, Ferns,
Iris, Orchids, Rhododendron, Camellia, Daphne and
Boronia.
PH 5.5 - 6.0:- Bean, Brussels Sprouts, Carrot, Choko,
Endive, Kohl Rabi, Peanuts, Rhubarb, Soybean,
Crimson Clover, Aster, Begonia, Canna, Daffodil,
Jonquil, Larkspur, Petunia, Primrose, Violet and most
bulbs.
PH 6.0 - 6.5:- Broccoli, Cabbage, Cannabis, Cauliflower,
Cucumber, Egg Plant, Pea, Sweet Corn, Pumpkin, Squash,
Tomato, Turnip, Red Clover, Sweet Clover, White Clover,
Candytuft, Gladiolus, Iceland Poppy, Pansy, Rose,
Snapdragon, Viola, Wallflower, Zinnea and Strawberry.
PH 6.5 - 7.0:- Asparagus, Beet, Celery, Lettuce, Melons,
Onion, Parsnip, Spinach, Lucerne, Carnation,
Chrysanthemum, Dahlia, Stock, Sweet Pea and Tulip.
PH 7.1 - 8.0:- Lilac, brassica
There are also other several crops that thrive in acidic soil.
Some examples of vegetables that prefer acidic soil
include radishes, sweet potatoes, parsley, peppers,
and potatoes.
These crops prefer a soil pH of 5.5 to 6.5, though some ca
n tolerate a slightly lower pH and still produce good yields
Crops that are typically grown in alkaline soils
include alfalfa, barley, corn, oats, sorghum,
and wheat.
These crops are well-adapted to alkaline condit
ions and can often provide higher yields than cr
ops grown in other types of soils
.
1.2 Soil and plant treatment materials
Cost-effective approach to soil amendment
materials for soil and plant treatments include:
Use of manure
Use of farm yard manure
Proper incorporation of crop residues in to the
soil
Use of cover crop
Inter cropping
Crop rotation
Fallowing and etc.
1.4 OHS hazards and control their risks
1.4.1 Identifying OHS hazards
Identifying hazards involves finding all of the
foreseeable hazards in the workplace and
understanding the possible harm that the
hazards may cause.
OHS hazards may include: disturbance or
interruption of services, solar radiation, dust,
noise, soil-, air- and water-borne micro-
organisms, chemicals and hazardous
substances, sharp hand tools and equipment,
manual handling, moving vehicles, machinery
and machinery parts, flying objects and
1.4.2 Assessing risk in OHS
Risk assessment is a process for developing knowledge
and understanding about hazards and risks so that sound
decisions can be taken about control. A risk assessment
will provide knowledge to make informed decisions about
controlling hazards and risks. The risk assessment needs
to be tailored to the situation and to the organization in
which it is conducted; it can be as simple as structured
discussion during consultation or it can be more elaborate
and formal.
Risk assessment assists in determining:
What levels of harm can occur
How harm can occur
The likelihood that harm will occur.
Five Steps to Risk Assessment[5].
Identify the hazards.
Decide who might be harmed and how.
Evaluate the risks and decide on
precautions.
Record your findings and implement
them.
Review your risk assessment
LO #2 Monitoring soil pH
2.1 Monitoring soil pH in the
implementation site
Soil pH or soil reaction is an
indication of the acidity or alkalinity
of soil and is measured in pH units.
Soil pH is defined as the negative
logarithm of the hydrogen ion
concentration.
The pH scale goes from 0 to 14 with
pH 7 as the neutral point.
As the amount of hydrogen ions in the soil
increases the soil pH decreases thus becoming
more acidic.
From pH 7 to 0 the soil is increasingly more
acidic and from pH 7 to 14 the soil is
increasingly more alkaline or basic.
Descriptive terms commonly associated with certain
ranges in soil pH are:
Extremely acid, < than 4.5
Very strongly acid, 4.5 - 5.0
Strongly acid 5.1 - 5.5
Moderately acid, 5.6 - 6.0
Slightly acid, 6.1 - 6.5,
Neutral, 6.6 - 7.3,
Slightly alkaline, 7.4 - 7.8
Moderately alkaline, 7.9 - 8.4
Strongly alkaline, 8.5 - 9.0
Very strongly alkaline, > than 9.1; lime = 12
2.1.1 Measuring Soil pH
Methods of determining pH include:
Observation of soil profile
Certain profile characteristics can be indicators of either
acid, saline, or sodic conditions.
Strongly acidic soils often have poor incorporation of the
organic surface layer with the underlying mineral layer.
The mineral horizons are distinctively layered in many
cases, with a pale eluvial (E) horizon beneath the organic
surface; this E is underlain by a darker B horizon in a
classic podzol horizon sequence. This is a very rough
gauge of acidity as there is no correlation between
thickness of the E and soil pH.
Use of an inexpensive pH testing kit
Based on barium sulphate in powdered form,
where in a small sample of soil is mixed with
water which changes color according to the
acidity/alkalinity.
Use of litmus paper
A small sample of soil is mixed with distilled
water, into which a strip of litmus paper is
inserted. If the soil is acidic the paper turns red,
if alkaline, blue.
Use of a commercially available electronic
pH meter
In which a rod is inserted into moistened soil and
measures the concentration of hydrogen ions.
2.2 Soil acidity, alkalinity and salinity
2.2.1 Soil acidity
Soils tend to become acidic as a result of:
Rainwater leaching away basic ions (calcium,
magnesium, potassium and sodium);
Carbon dioxide from decomposing organic matter
and root respiration dissolving in soil water to form a
weak organic
acid;Formation of strong organic and
inorganic acids, such as nitric and sulfuric acid,
from decaying organic matter and oxidation of
ammonium and sulfur fertilizers.
Strongly acid soils are usually the result of
the action of these strong organic and inorganic
acids
Lime is usually added to acid soils to increase
soil pH.
The addition of lime not only replaces
hydrogen ions and raises soil pH, thereby
eliminating most major problems associated
with acid soils but it also provides two
nutrients, calcium and magnesium to the soil.
Lime also makes phosphorus that is added to
the soil more available for plant growth and
increases the availability of nitrogen by
hastening the decomposition of organic matter.
Some common liming materials are:
Calcic limestone which is ground limestone;
Dolomitic limestone from ground limestone high in
magnesium; and
Miscellaneous sources such as wood ashes
2.2.2 Soil alkalinity
Soil alkalinity refers to soil with a pH greater
than 7. It is also known as “sweet soil” and
tends to contain high levels of sodium,
calcium, and magnesium.
It is less soluble than acidic or neutral soil,
which may limit the availability of nutrients.
It is very common in semiarid and arid climate
s and has a poor soil structure and low infiltra
2.2.3 Soil salinity
Salts from inorganic fertilizer, fish bone meal, compost and
manure applications can accumulate to the point where they
harm plant growth.
Soil salinity is most commonly a problem in greenhouse soils. In
outdoor gardens, salts are usually leached from the soil with
normal watering and rainfall, so salt does not accumulate in the
root zone unless fertilization is excessive.
A salinity test measures the total soluble salts in a soil.
It measures soluble salts indirectly by measuring the electrical
conductivity (EC) of a soil/water solution.
The excess water must drain downward through the soil to
carry away excess salts.
When leaching, apply water slowly enough that it infiltrates
the surface and drains freely through the subsoil.
2.3.1 Increasing soil pH
The most common way to increase soil pH is
to add lime. Lime is ground limestone, a rock
containing calcium carbonate.
It is a natural amendment, suitable for use by
organic gardeners. Lime raises the pH of acid
soils and supplies Calcium, an essential
nutrient.
Dolomitic lime contains Magnesium as well
as Calcium, so it is a good choice if soil
magnesium is low.
Lime is a slow-release material. Apply it in
the fall and incorporate it for best results.
Wood ashes are a readily available source of
Potassium, Calcium and Magnesium. Like
lime, they also raise soil pH. Composts are
often slightly alkaline and can increase soil
pH to a limited extent. Gypsum (Calcium
Sulfate) is not a substitute for lime
