Knowledge about spatial distribution patterns of soil attributes is very much needed for site-specific soil nutrient management (SSSNM) under precision agriculture. High spatial heterogeneity exists in the agricultural soils of India due to various reasons. The present practice of assessing the spatial variability of the vast cultivated landscape of India by using traditional soil sampling and analysis is costly and time consuming. Hence, proximal soil sensing (PSS) is an attractive option to assess the plot-scale spatial variability pattern (SVP) of soil attributes for SSSNM. A PSS system, either in a fixed position or mounted on a vehicle (on-the-go), can be used to obtain measurements by having direct contact with soil. PSS measurements provide low-cost and high-density data pertaining to the SVPs of soil attributes. These data can be used to generate digital elevation and soil attribute variability maps at the field scale in a crop production environment. Based on the generated variability maps, locally available and economically feasible agricultural inputs can be applied using variable rate application strategies for sustainable cropping and enhanced farm profit. This overview presents the potential of adopting PSS in India and other developing countries. The scope, challenges, and probable solutions are also proposed. There is ample scope for adoption of PSS in India in view of diverse soil types, climatic conditions, cropping patterns, crop management practices, and ultimately, the ever-increasing demand for higher agricultural production. However, the successful adoption of the PSS technique in India will be dependent on the proper design and adoption of strategies which require adequate planning and analysis. There are several studies that have highlighted the usefulness of soil sensing technologies in Indian soils. There are also certain challenges and limitations associated with PSS in India, which could be addressed. The available proximal soil sensing technologies will be of great help in improving the understanding of soil heterogeneity for adopting SSSNM in order to optimize crop production in India and other developing countries.

A field investigation was carried out to evaluate the impact of molybdenum (Mo) application on the yield and nutrient status of cauliflower in an acid Alfisol. The experiment comprised eleven treatments, replicated thrice in a randomized block design (RBD). The highest marketable yield of 558.8 g plant-1 was recorded in treatment with a recommended dose of NPK + FYM, with an increase of 29.1 percent over control (T1). The same treatment enhanced the uptake of macro-and micronutrients. Mo application positively influenced the curd productivity and soil nutrient status, with the conjoint application (soil plus foliar) out performing other treatments. In conclusion, cauliflower crop grown on Mo deficient soil responds positively to its conjoint application (soil plus foliar). However, the sole foliar application of Mo @0.1% recorded the highest apparent nutrient recovery (ANR) and bioaccumulation factor (BAF), with corresponding values of 2.2% and 41.2, respectively.

The knowledge of different sulphur (S) forms and their relationship with soil properties is of much relevance in assessing the short- and long-term availability of the nutrients to crops and in formulating sound fertilizer recommendations. For this purpose one hundred and one representative soil samples were collected from the study area and analyzed for various physicochemical properties and forms of sulphur (water soluble, exchangeable, available, organic, non-sulphate and total S) using standard methods. The different forms of sulphur viz., water soluble, exchangeable, available, organic, non-sulphate and total sulphur ranged from 1.1 to 7.0, 1.9 to 10.9, 3.1 to 21.1, 75.9 to 316.1, 8.0 to 41.5 and 75.5 to 372.5 mg kg-1, respectively in soils of Outer Himalayas under different land uses. The content of different forms of sulphur present in these soils were in the order of total sulphur, organic sulphur, non-sulphate sulphur, available sulphur, exchangeable sulphur and water soluble sulphur. All the forms of S correlated positively and significantly with organic carbon and clay content of soils. A negative and significant relationship was also observed between all forms of sulphur and sand content of soils. In the present study, it was also found that all forms of S present in soils were significantly and positively correlated with each other. The knowledge regarding different forms of S in soils and their availability controlled by different soil properties will be helpful for its management to optimize crop yields in the Outer Himalayas of Himachal Pradesh.

The long-term effects of integrated nutrient management (INM) on crop performance and soil health—particularly within sub-humid environments—remain insufficiently explored. This research aimed to quantify the relationship between the soil quality index (SQI) and overall system productivity. The SQI represents a numerical indicator of soil functioning and its biological and chemical integrity, while system productivity reflects the economic yield generated by the cropping system. A long-term experiment initiated in 1972 formed the foundation for this study, which was conducted from 2019 to 2021 and included eleven nutrient management treatments. These comprised the following treatments: inorganic fertilizers alone (100% NPK, 150% NPK, 100% NP, 100% N, and 100% NPK without sulfur); combinations of organic and inorganic inputs (50% NPK + FYM and 100% NPK + FYM); lime with inorganic fertilizers (100% NPK + lime); zinc with inorganics (100% NPK + Zn); hand weeding with inorganics (100% NPK + HW); an unfertilized control. The study was implemented in a maize–wheat rotation under the sub-humid climatic conditions of Palampur, Himachal Pradesh, India. System productivity was estimated using wheat grain equivalent yield, and SQI values were generated from selected soil properties. These indicators—along with the sustainable yield index (SYI)—were applied to assess the effectiveness of each treatment. The results showed that the 100% NPK + FYM combination produced the highest SQI, followed by 100% NPK + lime, whereas the 100% N treatment yielded the lowest value. Overall, the findings highlight the crucial role of adopting sustainable nutrient management practices to maintain soil quality and optimize productivity in sub-humid agricultural systems.

The excessive use of fertilisers with intensive farming practices has threatened the sustainability of agricultural systems, particularly in acid soils. It is crucial to understand the long‐term impacts of fertilisers and amendments on yield sustainability and soil properties. This study aimed to determine the long‐term effects of chemical fertilisers and amendments on yield sustainability, nutrient uptake, soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration and di‐ethylene tri‐amine penta acetic acid (DTPA)‐extractable micronutrients content. The study is a part of a long‐term experiment initiated in 1972 on Alfisols of North‐western Himalayas. Ten treatments comprising chemical fertilisers, FYM and lime, and one unfertilised control, were replicated thrice in a randomised block design. The results revealed that the application of 100% NPK + FYM improved the grain yield, straw yield and sustainable yield index (SYI) of wheat by 67.5, 65.0, and 68.0%, respectively, over NPK alone. The nutrient uptake by wheat and SOC sequestration was significantly higher in 100% NPK + FYM and 100% NPK + lime treatments than the rest of the treatments. The application of 100% NPK + FYM increased the DTPA‐extractable iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) by 17.8, 74.7, 98.4 and 31.0%, respectively, over NPK alone and found to be statistically at par with the treatment 100% NPK + lime.