ABSTRACT
Nitrogen (N) is the most yield limiting nutrient in most Indian soils, including those in the North Eastern Hill region of India. Soil nitrogen plays an imperative role in increasing the food value of crop and its productivity, and it may also influence the health of soil ecology. The plain areas and valleys of the Eastern Himalayas where rice is grown under stagnated water, due to increase in soil pH by water ponding, Azotobacter can play a crucial role in N management. Identification of location specific crop genotypes, N management practices along with improved crop production practices are recommended for enhancing N use efficiency (NUE) in Himalayan ecosystems. Inclusion of legumes in cropping systems and alley cropping is a low cost and feasible intervention for maintaining N fertility status of hilly soils. While applying N fertilizers, selection of the right source of N for application at the right time and in the right place are important for achieving adequate NUE.
