SUMMARYThe area under hybrid maize cultivation is increasing rapidly across South Asia. However, information regarding the proper nutrient management for modern stay-green maize hybrids in India is not adequate resulting in low productivity. Existing nutrient management practices are not able to capture the momentum change in the scenario of soil nutrient supply capacity and plant nutrient demand for achieving higher yield target. The present study aims at establishing the site-specific nutrient management (SSNM) package for an inceptisol (West Bengal, India). Soil indigenous nutrient supply capacity and nutrient use efficiency was also evaluated by using the nutrient omission plot technique. The experiment was laid out in strip-plot design, assigning three maize hybrids (P 3522, P 3396 and Rajkumar) in the vertical strip and nine fertilizer treatments [50% RDF/Recommended dose of fertilizer, 75% RDF, 100% RDF (200-60-60 kg N-P2O5-K2O ha−1), 125% RDF, 150% RDF, 100% PK, 100% NK, 100% NP and control (zero-NPK)] in the horizontal strip, with three replications. Results of the experiment revealed that the differences among cultivars were generally non-significant. The maize hybrids showed greater yield response to fertilization with N (4.14 Mg ha−1) during winter, followed by K (2.54 Mg ha−1) and P (1.58 Mg ha−1). Indigenous nutrient supply was estimated 107.2, 37.6 and 107.7 kg ha−1 for N, P and K, respectively. Both average agronomic efficiency (AE) and recovery efficiency (RE) were increased with 50% RDF and it decreased with further increase in NPK levels up to 150% RDF. The average internal efficiency (IE) was higher with 50% RDF closely followed by the treatment with absence of N. As grain yields and gross return over fertilizer (GRF) under 75 to 150% NPK treatments were similar, nutrient doses of 150 kg N, 45 kg P2O5 and 45 kg K2O ha−1 were recommended as optimum for maize hybrids.

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A field experiment was carried out at the Central Research Farm, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, West Bengal, India to study the effects of integrated nutrient management on the nutrient accumulation (dry weight recoveries) in brinjal and plant nutrient status of the post- harvest soil of brinjal under Nadia conditions. The results revealed that the treatment consisting of 75% RDF (RDF i.e. N:P:K:: 125:100:50) + Azospirillum + phosphate solubilising bacteria (PSB) + Borax @ 10 kg ha-1 recorded the highest oxidizable organic carbon (8.049 g kg-1), total nitrogen (1.05 g kg-1) , available nitrogen (212.67g kg-1), available phosphorus (76.20g kg-1) and available potassium (177.59 g kg-1) in the post harvest soils of brinjal. On the other hand, 75% RDF + Azospirillum + PSB + FeSO4 @ 50 kg ha-1 recorded the highest available iron (26.14 kg ha-1) and the treatment consisting of 75% RDF + Azospirillum + PSB + ZnSOâ‚„ @ 25 kg ha-1 recorded the highest soil available zinc (7.62 kg ha-1) while 75% RDF + Azo + PSB + Borax @ 10 kg ha-1 recorded the highest available Boron content (0.78 kg ha-1) of the post harvest soil of Brinjal. Highest brinjal yield (14.96 t ha-1) was supported by the treatment consisting of 75% RDF + Azospirillum + PSB + Boron @ 10 Kg ha-1. Meager information was available regarding the performance of integrated application of organics and micronutrient on brinjal in the experimental location. The present study may enlighten this unexplored section of nutrient management in brinjal.

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