Pudukkottai (17.52 kg/ha), Tirunelveli (17.52 kg/ha), Thanjavur (4.63 kg/ha),
Ramnad (4.32 kg/ha) and Trichy (1.11 kg/ha). The negative balance was observed
in rest of the districts. The reason attributed to the negative balance of K was lesser
usage of K fertilizer. It leads to the mining of soil K (Naidu et al. 2011). Surendran
et al. (2005) also found a negative K balance in his nutrient budget study.
The reason behind the negative balance of K may be a mismatch between
the application of inorganic fertilizers and continuous cropping. For instance, in
the Dharmapuri district, the cultivation of vegetable and flower crops have depleted
the potassium nutrient content in the soil, resulting in negative nutrient balance.
Further, since the 1990s, replenishment of potassium through inorganic fertilizer was
also less. In the case of Thoothukudi, the cultivation of nutrient depleting crops like
sugarcane is attributed to negative potassium nutrient balance in the soil.
15.4 Conclusion
The practices of K inflow and outflow in the Tamil Nadu State over the years
fluctuated and the amount of K outflow was higher than K inflow. The stock of K
level slowly declined as the addition of K was lesser in most of the regions. The
negative balance of K was registered in three-fourth districts of the Tamil Nadu
State. Economic reforms of liberalization supporting the cultivation of exportoriented crops, adoption of high yielding varieties (HYV) and hybrid seeds are
few factors responsible for the depletion of K. Most importantly, the practice of K
applications to soil still depend upon crop based instead of soil based nutrient
recommendations. These factors may increase the depletion of K nutrient and create
negative externalities. It is suggested that the current practices of K application need
to be adjusted according to soil status and type of crops; the timely inorganic
fertilizers applications must be based on the requirement; adopting diversified
cropping pattern and application of organic manures are the remedial measures to
improve soil nutrient status and ensure the sustainability of agricultural bioeconomy.
References
Ayres RU, Kneese AV (1969) Production, consumption and externalities. Am Econ Rev
59:282–297
Central Statistical Organisation (CSO), Government of India (GoI) (1996) National Accounts
Statistics, 1993 and 1996. Government of India (GoI), New Delhi
Department of Economics and Statistics (1989–2013) Economic appraisal of Tami Nadu. Government of Tamil Nadu, Chennai
Dikshit AK, Birthal PS (2013) Positive environmental externalities of livestock in mixed farming
systems of India. Agric Econ Res Rev 26:21–30
Ebert U, Welsch H (2007) Environmental Emissions and Production Economics: Implications of
the materials Balance. Am J Agric Econ 89:287–293. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8276.
2007.00997.x
Economic Appraisal of Tamil Nadu (1990–2012) Season and crop report. Government of Tamil
Nadu, Chennai
336
R. Paramasivam et al.
Ramnad (4.32 kg/ha) and Trichy (1.11 kg/ha). The negative balance was observed
in rest of the districts. The reason attributed to the negative balance of K was lesser
usage of K fertilizer. It leads to the mining of soil K (Naidu et al. 2011). Surendran
et al. (2005) also found a negative K balance in his nutrient budget study.
The reason behind the negative balance of K may be a mismatch between
the application of inorganic fertilizers and continuous cropping. For instance, in
the Dharmapuri district, the cultivation of vegetable and flower crops have depleted
the potassium nutrient content in the soil, resulting in negative nutrient balance.
Further, since the 1990s, replenishment of potassium through inorganic fertilizer was
also less. In the case of Thoothukudi, the cultivation of nutrient depleting crops like
sugarcane is attributed to negative potassium nutrient balance in the soil.
15.4 Conclusion
The practices of K inflow and outflow in the Tamil Nadu State over the years
fluctuated and the amount of K outflow was higher than K inflow. The stock of K
level slowly declined as the addition of K was lesser in most of the regions. The
negative balance of K was registered in three-fourth districts of the Tamil Nadu
State. Economic reforms of liberalization supporting the cultivation of exportoriented crops, adoption of high yielding varieties (HYV) and hybrid seeds are
few factors responsible for the depletion of K. Most importantly, the practice of K
applications to soil still depend upon crop based instead of soil based nutrient
recommendations. These factors may increase the depletion of K nutrient and create
negative externalities. It is suggested that the current practices of K application need
to be adjusted according to soil status and type of crops; the timely inorganic
fertilizers applications must be based on the requirement; adopting diversified
cropping pattern and application of organic manures are the remedial measures to
improve soil nutrient status and ensure the sustainability of agricultural bioeconomy.
References
Ayres RU, Kneese AV (1969) Production, consumption and externalities. Am Econ Rev
59:282–297
Central Statistical Organisation (CSO), Government of India (GoI) (1996) National Accounts
Statistics, 1993 and 1996. Government of India (GoI), New Delhi
Department of Economics and Statistics (1989–2013) Economic appraisal of Tami Nadu. Government of Tamil Nadu, Chennai
Dikshit AK, Birthal PS (2013) Positive environmental externalities of livestock in mixed farming
systems of India. Agric Econ Res Rev 26:21–30
Ebert U, Welsch H (2007) Environmental Emissions and Production Economics: Implications of
the materials Balance. Am J Agric Econ 89:287–293. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8276.
2007.00997.x
Economic Appraisal of Tamil Nadu (1990–2012) Season and crop report. Government of Tamil
Nadu, Chennai
336
R. Paramasivam et al.