Abstract
Excessive nitrogen (N) fertilization may impair soil health through negative effects on the soil biological community and soil reaction. Given the limited and conflicting reports of N fertilizers in relation to soil health, there is a need to look into positive and negative effects of using fertilizer N in cropping systems in India. It has been endeavored in this chapter to analyze research data from India to answer some specific questions: Does high and continuous N input threaten soil quality? Do Indian farmers overuse N? What is the soil health issue vis-à-vis crop productivity? What happens to soil quality when N is used only as mineral fertilizer, or manures/sewage, or a combination of the two? How to use N for a better soil health? The chapter concludes that: (1) mineral fertilizers (and even N) use can enhance soil health in many soils (mainly in the alkaline and neutral pH range) in India through increasing soil organic matter as a result of the greater root growth associated with improved crop yields and often accompanied by enhanced microbial activity; (2) in acid soils, long-term N use has deleterious impacts on soil quality and crop productivity; and (3) the combined use of mineral fertilizers and organic nutrient sources is the best way forward.
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