Virtual Meeting on “Long-Term Fertilizer Experiments: Achievements and Future Strategies” organized

11 - 12 August, 2020, Bhopal

A Virtual Meeting of ICAR-All India Coordinated Research Project on Long-Term Fertilizer Experiments on "Long-Term Fertilizer Experiments: Achievements and Future Strategies” was organised at the ICAR-Indian Institute of Soil Science, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh during 11^th to 12^th August, 2020.

In his inaugural address, Dr. S.K. Chaudhari, Deputy Director General (Natural Resource Management), ICAR highlighted the need and importance of long-term field experiments and its information in solving various issues, such as, reducing fertilizer consumption, optimization of fertilizer recommendations, national policy on fertilizer consumption and subsidies as well as improvement in soil health and crop productivity. He stressed that the information generated from the ICAR-AICRP on LTFE will be helpful in addressing the 3Cs, viz., Carbon footprint, Climate change and Consumption of fertilizers in the country.

Dr. Himanshu Pathak, Director, ICAR-National Institute of Abiotic Stress Management, Baramati, Maharashtra marked his presence as the Guest of Honor along with Dr. B. Venkateswarlu, Former Vice-Chancellor, Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Agricultural University  Parbhani, Maharashtra and Dr. Tapas Bhattacharyya, Former Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli, Maharashtra as the Experts.

Dr. Ashok K. Patra, Director, ICAR-IISS, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh briefed about the significance of the long-term fertilizers experiments in the country.

Dr. Muneshwar Singh, Project Coordinator, ICAR-AICRP on LTFE outlined the background and significant achievements of the Project.

The key issues like integrated nutrient management, soil health, nutrient dynamics, soil functional diversity, carbon sequestration, impact of climate on soil quality, digitization of ICAR-AICRP on LTFE database, etc., were discussed during the two-day virtual meeting.

About 80 Scientists from 18 centres of LTFE from the different States and Union Territories virtually participated in the meeting.

(Source: ICAR-Indian Institute of Soil Science, Bhopal)