Introduction
Soil is a natural complex body and requires scientific management to sustain its fertility and productivity for optimum yields of various crops to meet the challenge of the country's ever-increasing population. The world's people depend upon soil to produce food, feed and fiber for their survival. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, soil differs in location, elevation, latitude, chemical composition and organic matter content. These characteristics alone and in combination affect soil productivity and consequently have a pronounced effect on soil capacity to meet the growing requirements of an ever-increasing population.
Since soil is a non-renewable and finite source, its intensive cultivation has led to the depletion of fertility and hence, necessitated the use of mineral fertilizer, organic matter and other amendments. It is necessary to adopt appropriate soil management practices to improve soil physical conditions, ameliorate problems of salinity/ sodicity through gypsum application and the addition of appropriate quantities of nutrients through chemical, organic and bio fertilizers. We are in an era of multiple nutrient deficiencies and a single nutrient approach can lower fertilizer use efficiency. Balanced nutrition implies that there are no deficiencies and no negative interactions. Soil fertility and fertilizer recommendations are scientific endeavors. The only practical method to achieve high yields and profits is to keep the soil in a highly fertile. This can be achieved only by the use of chemical fertilizers in the right proportion at the right time with appropriate methods.
The Directorate of Soil and Plant Nutrition (DSPN) conducts laboratory and field experiments for the betterment of farming community in specific and the world in general. Major issues focused include ecotoxicology, food security and climate change. Analyses based laboratory reports are provided to the farmers and recommendations are made for judicial use and utilization of Agricultural inputs. Based on the data of provided in the Annual Report of the directorate, policies may be suggested to ensure sustainability and resilient Agriculture.
Details of Sections/Labs
There are seven sections in the Directorate:
Official Message from Head of the Department
The Directorate of Soil and Plant Nutrition (DSPN) works with great effort for the betterment of the farming community in particular and the world in general. The researchers of the Directorate of Soil and Plant Nutrition try their best from different aspects to contribute to science. Their work is admirable nonetheless; there is an urge to leverage agricultural automation for transforming agri-food systems. The current burning issue of climate change requires innovative interventions in the existing farming practices. In the present scenario, attention must be given to the exploration of the role of micro-nutrients in the field crop production along with major nutrients. Much of the current analyses on agricultural productivity is hampered by lack of consistent, high-quality data on soil health and how it is changing under past and current management. This can be overcome by evaluating the feasibility of integrating a soil survey and evaluating local knowledge of farmers in assessing their soil quality. Reductions in uncertainties in assessing soil quality and, hence, improvements in smallholder agricultural statistics enable better decision-making.
Brief History
The Directorate was previously working as Soil Division since 1908. In 1989, the Soil Division was converted to Soil and Plant Nutrition Section through a project, which was then properly declared as Directorate after the completion of Project. This department introduced Urea, Ammonium Sulphate and DAP to the farmers during the era of 1950-70 which resulted in revolutionary change in agricultural production
Objectives
Details of Ongoing Schemes (Regular and Developmental Schemes)
Regular Activities:
Mandate
Developing appropriate techniques and systems that promote environmental sustainability, researching the fertility status of soils in different ecological zones, the fertiliser requirements of crops both for macro and micro nutrients, reclamation of soil, efficient techniques of organic farming and BNF technologies, quality assessment of fertilizers, pesticides and food.
Achievements
Products Developed
Vision/Future Plan
Staff Position:
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