Assessing fertiliser-induced adulteration and nutrient imbalance in paddy-growing soils in Punjab, India

The excessive and imbalanced use of fertilisers in agriculture has opposite effects on human health and the environment. Punjab has the highest fertiliser consumption due to the intensive cropping system, which results in the degradation of soil and water quality. In the present study, fertiliser-induced soil contamination and nutrient imbalance, as well as the fertiliser unsuitability index, were studied in paddy-growing areas, i.e. the Bathinda and Ludhiana districts of Punjab. A total of 160 farmers in both districts were interviewed regarding fertiliser application, and soil samples from these farmers were tested. The soils of Bathinda are alkaline in reaction and neutral in reaction at Ludhiana. The labour scarcity, unavailability of improved seed materials and increased cost of inputs are the major problems for farmers at both locations. The study concluded that both districts of Punjab had relatively high soil contamination levels and nutrient imbalance values. The soil contamination level was greater in the Ludhiana district, and the nutrient imbalance was greater in Bathinda. The fertiliser unsuitability index varied from 127.7 to 164.9 in the paddy-growing soils of Punjab, with the highest value occurring in Bathinda. Hence, the judicious use of fertilisers on a soil test basis is the only solution for managing fertiliser-induced soil contamination and nutrient imbalance in paddy-growing soils in Punjab. Future research needs directions to develop this knowledge and suggest location-specific fertiliser usage patterns to minimise nutrient imbalances.