‘Excessive fertiliser use, nutrient imbalance threaten Punjab’s soil health’

CHANDIGARH: Excessive and imbalanced use of fertilisers in paddy cultivation in Punjab has led to significant soil contamination and nutrient imbalance, posing substantialrisks to human health and environment, according to a study.
The study focusing on districts of Ludhiana and Bathinda utilised a stratified multistage sampling approach to examine the impact of fertiliser application on soil health.Researchers interviewed 160 farmers across four villages—Kanech and Rampur in Ludhiana, and Killi Nihal Singhwali and Bhagwangarh in Bathinda — about ferti- liser application and tested soil samples from their fields.
Soils in both locations were alkaline, with pH values ranging from 7.7 to 8.1 in Ludhiana and 8.4 to 8.7 in Bathinda. Electrical conductivity ranged from 0.16 to 0.37 dS m−1, with higher values observed in Bathinda. Soil organic carbon content was between 0.58% and 0.68% in Ludhiana, compared to 0.33% to 0.40% in Bathinda. Both locations showed higher levels of available phosphorus and potassium. Micronutrient content also varied, with Ludhiana recording 1.77 to 2.86 mg kg−1 for zinc, 18.6 to 28.4 mg kg−1 for iron, 2.96 to 3.24 mg kg−1 for manganese, and 1.57 to 2.29 mg kg−1 for copper. In Bathinda, the levels were 1.97 to 2.54 mg kg−1 for zinc, 12.6 to 21.2 mg kg−1 for iron, 5.34 to 6.47
mg kg−1 for manganese, and 1.53 to 1.96 mg kg−1 for copper.

Fertiliser unsuitability index (FUI) ranged from 127.7 to 164.9, with Bathinda recor- ding the highest FUI, indicating severe over-fertilisation. The study further revealed that nutrient management practices vary significantly based on socioeconomic status, with resource-rich farmers tending to use excessive inputs. The majority of respondents, particularly in Bathinda, held large operational land holdings, suggesting that fertiliser use was higher in this region. Illiteracy rates were also notable, with 26.3% of farmers in Bathinda being illiterate compared to 11.3% in Ludhiana.
Farmers across the two districts reported significant challenges, including ascarcity of labour, lack of access to high-quality seeds, and increased incidences of pests and diseases. Labour scarcity was the most pressing issue, affecting 72% of respondents, followed closely by limited availability of improved seeds (70%), pest problems (65%), and rising input costs (50%). The study concluded that the soil contamination level was higher in the Ludhiana district, and the nutrient imbalance was greater in Bathinda.
The study, “Assessing fertiliser induced adulteration and nutrient imbalance in paddy growing soils in Punjab, India”, has been conducted by Lopamudra Mohapatra, Vivek Sharma, Raj Kumar Setia, Manmeet Kaur, Laila A. Al Shuraym, Samy Sayed, Ahmed Gaber and Akbar Hossain. The findings have been published in the internatio- nal journal Paddy and Water Environment.

Researchers emphasised the dire need to increase awareness about the judicious use of fertilisers on a soil test basis to manage fertiliser-induced soil contamination in paddy-growing areas of the state. Given the significant impact of soil health on the agri-food system and human health, the study’s findings on soil contamination and nutrient imbalance in paddy crops underscore the need for periodic assessments. Expanding these studies to cover larger sample sizes, diverse crops, and additional areas would provide a more comprehensive understanding of soil health issues. Additionally, promoting awareness of location-specific integrated nutrient management practices is essential. These practices should be evaluated for their agronomic productivity, economic profitability, and social acceptability to ensure they support sustainable practices.