Opinion
‘Escalating fertiliser prices and need for judicious use’ – a response
Dr Parakrama Waidyanatha wrote an interesting and informative article to The Island under the headline, “Escalating fertilizer prices and need for judicious use”, last Monday.
I have the highest regard for views expressed by PD, from time to time. Having been an agriculturist for many years, I hope I will be permitted to make some observations on the said article.
As PD rightly points out fertiliser is no more a cheap commodity, and freely available, as before. One cannot overstate its judicious application today. It perhaps is the most expensive input in crop production.
When it comes to fertiliser usage, there are three major concerns,
How much to apply is determined by soil chemists, depending on the availability in the soil, and plant requirement.
When to apply is determined by the physiologists and agronomists. In both these cases the farmers do not have a say. Where the farmer exercises his discretion is when it comes to how to apply. The usual preferred method, the farmer is most comfortable with, is the soil application, by broadcasting, like in paddy, and sometimes band application in highland crops. There is little or no attempt to incorporate the applied fert into the soil. Equally, little or no attention is paid to whether the soil is moist enough to take in the fert or bone dry. The placement of fert, as PD says, is vital to ensure that it gets into the root zone. In Indonesian cane fields, a hole is dug, close to the sugar cane clump, with a pole, with a metal cap at the end, into which the fert is poured. Excellent!
Indiscriminate broadcasting, not caring where it lands, is a wasteful practice, at most times. I used to call it “yakkunta dummala gahanawa.”
Split application of topdressings is a good way to use fert for best results. With the escalating labour costs, how feasible is it? Does the increase in yield offset the extra cost of labour? Sometimes one has to compromise best practices for economic reasons. Agriculture is a business and therefore profit is an important factor. There were situations, under extreme conditions, where I did not fertilize fields at all.
Now a few thoughts on foliar applications.
Nature expected the roots to be used for the uptake of water and nutrients. Leaves have a different function to perform.
Stomata, through which plants can absorb, are mostly located on the under surface, Besides, during the day they are more or less closed, thus limiting penetration, Some leaves have pubescence on the leaves. Others have a waxy layer on top. All these are devices to minimize excessive water loss. Therefore, these same devices prevent entry into the inside of the leaf.
PD, being a scientist, has calculated the right strength of the foliar spray. An increase can cause serious damage to the canopy. 60% of the tea is produced by small holders. How competent will they be?
Whatever the method of application, one chooses, there should be an effective extension service to advise the farmers. Have you got one?
There is another very efficient method to ensure maximum benefit of the fert usage, where possible. It is fertigation. Fertiliser in the irrigation water. There is a substantial initial capital cost but it is worth the try. I am aware that it is being used on coconut, in the Mahaweli area, with encouraging results.
As PD says, nano technology sounds promising but very little is known about it.
I wish to thank PD for opening the floodgates
Gamini Peiris
Panadura
Here is what you can do!
Comedy and the ability to have a good laugh are what keep us sane. The good news to announce is that there are many British and American comedy shows posted up and available on the internet.
They will bring a few hours of welcome relief from our present doldrums.
Firstly, and in a class of its own, are the many Benny Hill shows. Benny is a British comedian who comes from a circus family, and was brought up in an atmosphere of circus clowning. Each show is carefully polished and rehearsed to get the comedy across and understood successfully. These clips have the most beautiful stage props and settings with suitable, amusing costumes. This is really good comedy for the mature, older viewer.
Benny Hill has produced shows that are “Master-Class” in quality adult entertainment. All his shows are good.
Then comes the “Not the Nine o’clock news” with Rowan Atkinson and his comedy team producing good entertainment suitable for all.
And then comes the “Two Ronnies” – Ronnie Barker and Ronnie Corbett, with their dry sense of humour and wit. Search and you will find other uplifting shows such as Dave Allen, with his monologues and humour.
All these shows have been broadcast in Britain over the last 50 years and are well worth viewing on the Internet.
Similarly, in The USA of America. There are some really great entertainment shows. And never forget Fats Waller in the film “Stormy Weather,” where he was the pianist in the unforgettable, epic, comedy song “Ain’t Misbehavin”. And then there is “Bewitched” with young and glamorous Samantha Stevens and her mother, Endora who can perform magic. It is amazing entertainment! This show, although from the 1970s was a milestone in US light entertainment, along with many more.
And do not overlook Charlie Chaplin and Laurel and Hardy, and all the Disney films. Donald Duck gives us a great wealth of simple comedy.
The US offers you a mountain of comedy and good humour on Youtube. All these shows await you, just by accessing the Internet! The internet channel, ‘You tube’ itself, comes from America! The Americans reach out to you with good, happy things right into your own living room!
Those few people with the ability to understand English have the key to a great- great storehouse of uplifting humour and entertainment. They are rich indeed!
Priyantha Hettige
After the recent disaster, a great deal of information has been circulating on WhatsApp and YouTube regarding our reservoirs, highways, etc.
In many of these discussions, people have analysed what went wrong and how the damage could have been prevented. My question is this: why do all these knowledgeable voices emerge only after disaster strikes? One simple reason may be that our self-proclaimed, all-knowing governing messiahs refuse to listen to anyone outside their circles. It is never too late to learn, but has any government decision-maker read or listened to these suggestions?
When the whole world is offering help to overcome this tragedy, has the government even considered seeking modern forecasting equipment and the essential resources currently not available to our armed forces, police, and disaster-management centres?
B Perera
A great deal has been said about Cyclone Ditwah and its impact. To my mind one important aspect of it has not been addressed.
During the 1,400 odd landslides, it washed off a vast volume of soil which entered the various water bodies like tanks, lakes, rivers and streams etc. This process has raised their water levels reducing the water holding capacities (water holding capacity has a different meaning in soil science). What it means is that they cannot hold the same amount of water as before without spilling. Therefore, a precipitation which would not have been significant then can cause spilling of tanks leading to floods now. Hence there is a possibility of experiencing more floods in the future. Due to silting the tanks will carry less water than before, thus reducing the irrigable areas under their command. They will not be able to irrigate the same extents of paddy, thus affecting production.
How do we rectify this situation? It is desilting which can be very expensive.
It is good if these are considered in future planning.
Gamini Peiris
Panadura
Experienced agriculturist
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