Importance of soil health management explained

The Directorate of Extension Education and Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Solan of Dr. YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan jointly organized a full-day programme on World Soil Day on December 5, 2022.

To give the students a practical experience about soil sampling, Geographical Position System-based soil samples from two depths- 0 to 15 cm and 15 to 30 cm were collected from different departmental research farms, forest lands, agroforestry-based systems and grasslands of the university area. The sampling was carried out by the university’s postgraduate students of the different departments and Experience Learning Programme (ELP) undergraduate students in collaboration with the faculty and students of the Department of Soil Science. The samples were handed over to the Incharge Soil, Water and Plant Analysis Laboratory for determination of physical, chemical and biological characteristics.

In the afternoon session, a lecture cum interaction on Soil Health Management was organized for the Faculty of Soil Science and ELP students of the College of Horticulture, College of Forestry and College of Horticulture and Forestry, Thunag, Mandi. Professor Bijay Singh, former National Professor of Soil Science of ICAR was the chief guest and the lead speaker on the occasion.

Dr. Inder Dev, Director Extension Education, welcomed the Chief Guest and introduced the importance of World Soil Day and its celebration at the university. Speaking on the occasion, Prof Singh talked about the importance of soil health management and the use of fertilizers in conjunction with organic manures. He also spoke on nitrogen fertilization management in rice-wheat cropping and other crops and various aspects of fertilizer applications while maintaining soil health and productivity. Professor Singh also addressed the queries of the students and the faculty. An interaction session on the use of fertilizers and their effect on soil health was organized after the lecture. The function was also attended by the statutory officers, Head of the Departments and faculty members of the university.