Recent Advances in Plant Nutritional Research and Potential Application in the Field of forest Fertilization in Indian Context-a Review

This paper contains a review of scientific information in tbe field of forest fertilization based on the recent research in forest nutrition, nutrient cycling and fluxes of nutrients in the forest. The information is discussed in the context of application in a tropical country like India. There is immense potential for application of fertilizers In the forest plantations, specially conifers, Eucalyptus and nutrient poor soils. Social forestry, agroforestry and farm forestry; with a view to increase the productivity of the forests and ensure adequate fiscal return on long term sustained basis. Further the maintenance of the environment and future supply of forest products is linked with efficient management of the existing forest resources, and to achieve this all out efforts should be made to enhance the productivity of the forest plantations in India. In Ihis context the potential application of fertilizers in Indian condition is discussed. There is considerable scope to Increase tbe production through application of fertilizers, but to obtain clear idea it is recommended to carry out longterm field trials.