HYDERABAD, July 19: The director-general of the Sindh Agriculture Research, Dr Haji Khan Keerio, has said that balanced nutrient management through the use of appropriate fertiliser is required for profitable crop production.

Speaking at a meeting of farmers in Tando Jam on Tuesday, he said that at present use of phosphate, potash and micronutrient fertiliser was much below the required level and among the major plant nutrients, the use of potash was extremely low.

He called upon growers not to pay heed to misleading statements of some so-called scientists but to follow the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) assigned for the purpose.

He said that over the past two decades field experiments were conducted across the country to evaluate impact of muriate of potash (MOP) versus sulphate of potash (SOP) on many crops including wheat, maize, rice, cotton, groundnut, sugarcane, onion, potato, grape, citrus and apple by various public and private organisations with the coordination of PARC.

He said that according to the PARC, the studies concluded that “MOP” and “SOP” were equally good sources of potash for most crops and soil in Pakistan and application of “MOP” did not pose any threat to soil health and its fertility as chlorides present in “MOP” did not accumulate in soil, except in extreme situation of poorly drained soils.

He said that on the basis of research findings, the government had not only approved import and use of “MOP” in Pakistan in 1996, except for tobacco crop, but encouraged public and private sectors to import and market both “MOP” and “SOP” fertilizers.

He said that there were several ways to promote the balanced use of fertilizer nutrients and that the use of NPK fertilizers was one of scientifically sound practical options being practiced around the world.

He said that the PARC was a creditable government organisation which from time to time was getting its reports published for information and awareness of growers and growers had to follow and to take benefit from its guidelines and raise their production on scientific lines.