Which Fertilizer and Soil Health Practices Give Maximum Crop Yield?

Blog by Atharva Mishra   | 8th June, 2026 

The two most important factors to have for a good harvest are Abstract Fertilizers and Soil Health. From soil testing to balanced NPK application, this blog covers practical strategies every farmer can use — along with a quick-reference table and expert tips to get the most from every acre. 

Start With the Soil 

Don't pay for fertilizers without finding out what is already in your soil. The simple soil test provides the pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and micronutrient status of the soil. 50% of farmers who know the pH of their soil actually test their soil and fertilize based on the results, and consistently report improved yields of 15-30% over those who "guesstimate" the soil pH. Use the nutrient prescription provided to each farmer by India's free Soil Health Card scheme. 

Another key element of health soil is organic matter. FYM, vermicompost or compost added per season, will enhance water holding capacity, will nourish soil microbes and help to decrease the amount of chemical fertilizer applied over time. The more organic matter, the stronger the crops. 

For additional information on soil health and resistant varieties: 

https://soilhealth.dac.gov.in 

Key Nutrients & What They Do 

Although most farmers are familiar with nitrogen, yield is only limited by the most limiting nutrient. Let's briefly go through the four that you can't ignore: 

Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) 

INM is a practical process that does not involve the exclusive use of either chemical fertilizers or organic inputs and biofertilizers. Biofertilizers such as rhizobium fix free nitrogen from the atmosphere. PSB (Phosphate Solubilising Bacteria) releases phosphorus in your soil that is already there. By the third season, when farmers had completed all of the recommended treatments with INM, they had reduced their actual use of chemical fertilizers by as much as 50–60% without sacrificing yield. 

If chemical fertilizers must be applied, preferably divide nitrogen into 2–3 applications throughout the growing season. If applied in one application, 30 to 50% will be leached out before the crop is able to utilize it. That’s money wasted 

Conclusion 

The key to utilizing your land is not to spend more, but to spend appropriately. Test your soil, balance your nutrients, incorporate organic matter and divide up your fertilizer application. And farmers who observe these fundamentals will be more successful than a neighbour who spends twice as much as he, but only on urea. 

Tags: #SoilHealth  #FertilizerGuide  #CropYield  #NPKFertilizer  #OrganicFarming  #KisanGuide  #INM  #IndianAgriculture  #KrishiTalks  #SmartFarming