With the introduction of cheaper fertilisers to farmers, the proper management practices still needs to be maintained in order to maximise benefits. These practices include the following:

(a) More use of organic fertiliser should be encouraged as it builds soil structure and promotes beneficial organisms in the soil. Greater use also increases the cation exchange capacity of the soil.

(b) Farmers can mix organic and mineral fertilisers. This is very good since elements will not leach from the soil as quickly as mineral fertilisers alone.

(c) Most organic fertilisers do not provide sufficient soluble phosphates to the soil, so farmers should use mineral fertilisers with high phosphate content. Most bauxite soils have insoluble phosphorus, which is unavailable to plants.

(d) Row bonding instead of broad casting fertilisers should be practised.

(e) More contour farming should be practised to reduce erosion and loss of elements due to run-off water.

I am, etc.,

EARL LUGG

Agricultural consultant

earlluggjm@yahoo.com