How to improve fertility of laterite soil

Improving the fertility of laterite soil is essential for successful cultivation and involves a multi-pronged approach to address its core issues: high acidity, low organic matter, and poor nutrient retention.

Here are the most effective methods:

1. Correct Acidity with Liming: Laterite soils are naturally acidic (low pH), which "locks up" essential nutrients like phosphorus. Applying agricultural lime (calcium carbonate) or dolomite neutralizes the acidity, raises the soil pH, and makes nutrients more available to plants. A soil test is crucial to determine the correct amount of lime to apply.
2. Add Bulky Organic Matter: This is the single most important step. Incorporating large amounts of farmyard manure (FYM), compost, or vermicompost improves the soil in several ways:
   • Adds essential nutrients.
   • Improves soil structure and aeration.
   • Dramatically increases the soil's ability to hold water and nutrients.
3. Practice Green Manuring: This involves growing fast-growing plants like sunn hemp (sanai) or dhaincha and then plowing them back into the soil before they produce seeds. This adds a significant amount of nitrogen and organic matter directly into the soil.
4. Use Mulching: Covering the soil surface with a thick layer of organic material like straw, leaves, or grass clippings conserves precious moisture, suppresses weed growth, and adds organic matter as it slowly decomposes.
5. Incorporate Bio-fertilizers: Using microbial cultures like Azotobacter and Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB) can help fix atmospheric nitrogen and unlock the phosphorus that is chemically bound in the soil, making it available for plants.