ABSTRACT
Principles governing the application of fertilisers, as also the ameliorating techniques vary greatly with the nature of the soil problem. Most often the soils have poor fertility status. In addition to providing the essential nutrients, harmful effects of excess salts or specific ions can be reduced, to some extent, by increasing the fertility of soil and thus help the plant survive the stress conditions. Management of fertility in salt-affected soils is important not only in the initial years of reclamation but also in the later stages. Thus, in alkali soils, proper evaluation of fertility status and accounting for the role of subsoil fertility can help in judicious use of P fertilisers and reduce the cost of crop production in the initial years of reclamation. Application of large quantities of phosphatic fertilisers, in both greenhouse and the field, increased yields and alleviated those symptoms.
