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Plant Science Today (PST)

Research Articles

Vol. 13 No. sp1 (2026): Recent Advances in Agriculture

Fertiliser recommendation maps based on soil test crop response for important crops of Upparapalli village of Tirupati district, Andhra Pradesh

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.11889
Submitted
21 September 2025
Published
06-03-2026

Abstract

The soil test crop response (STCR) approach facilitates precise estimation of fertiliser needs for a given season and site by considering the baseline soil nutrient levels and the crop’s response in terms of nutrient absorption and yield performance. Efficient nutrient management is essential for sustaining crop productivity while minimising environmental impacts in modern agriculture. However, conventional blanket fertiliser recommendations often fail to account for spatial variability in soil fertility, leading to nutrient overuse, reduced fertilise ruse efficiency and long-term soil degradation. This study integrates geographic information system (GIS)-based soil fertility mapping with
STCR targeted-yield equations to generate precise, site-specific fertiliser recommendations for Upparapalli village in the Tirupati district of Andhra Pradesh. A total of 200 geo-referenced surface soil samples (0–15 cm), collected using a 170 m grid, were analysed for available nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). Spatial variability maps for N, P₂O₅ and K₂O were created using the inverse distance weighting (IDW) interpolation method in ArcGIS 10.3 and crop-specific fertiliser requirements were computed for rice, groundnut and sugarcane using STCR equations. The results revealed substantial heterogeneity in soil nutrient distribution across the village, underscoring the limitations of uniform fertiliser application. Overall, the integration of GIS with STCR proved highly effective in promoting
site-specific nutrient management, reducing input costs and preventing nutrient losses to the environment. The approach offers a scalable and scientifically robust framework for precision nutrient management in regions with similar soil and climatic conditions, contributing to sustainable agricultural intensification and improved soil health.

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