Yield trends and changes in physico-chemical properties of soil in maize-wheat cropping system under integrated nutrient management

Abstract

Aim:Methodology: Results:Integrated use of organic and inorganic fertilizers has better effects on crop growth and yield components of crop as well as soil health than alone. The main objective of the study was to find out the impact of integrated nutrient management on yield and soil health in maize-wheat cropping system. The maize crop was harvested when cob sheath turned brownish and grains became hard and grains were separated from cobs by hand shelling. When wheat crop matured and dry plants from net -1 plot area were harvested and threshing was done by using wheat thresher and expressed as t ha . The soil samples were collected from different plots of the experimental field and were analysed for physical (bulk density, hydraulic conductivity) and chemical (organic carbon, available N, P and K) properties. Infiltration rate was measured at the experimental field with the help of double ring infiltrometer.Addition of NPK fertilizer along with organic manure and biofertilizers improved yield and increased organic carbon content, available N, P, K and infiltration rate and hydraulic conductivity of the soil while reducing bulk density. Application of 50% recommended dose of fertilizer + 50% recommended dose of nitrogen produced significantly higher maize grain yield and significantly higher wheat grain yields were recorded with the application of 100% recommended dose of fertilizer over control. Lowest bulk density, highest hydraulic conductivity and infiltration rate were recorded with the application of 37.5% recommended dose of fertilizer + 37.5% recommended dose of nitrogen + biofertilizer to wheat. Application of 50% recommended dose of fertilizer + 50% recommended dose of nitrogen to maize and application of 37.5% recommended dose of fertilizer + 37.5% recommended dose of nitrogen + bio fertilizer to wheat resulted in increased available N by 10.2, 19.6% and 15.5, 26.2%, available P by 13.7, 20.4% and 17

Long-Term Integrated Nutrient Management in the Maize–Wheat Cropping System in Alluvial Soils of North-Western India: Influence on Soil Organic Carbon, Microbial Activity and Nutrient Status

“…Higher N availability in the treatments applied with FYM might be due to the slow-release of organically bound nutrients from FYM. It improves the complexation of metal ions, and, thus, increases the bioavailability of nutrient elements to plants [1]. The FYM also provides a favorable environment for the conversion of non-available plant nutrient form to available plant nutrients and slowly release available carbon [49].…”

“…In north-western India, the continuous rice-wheat cropping has led to the exhaustion of natural resources and deteriorated soil fertility, producing agricultural outcomes [1]. Thus, a paradigm shift in cropping systems with different crops is required to maintain soil health and sustainable yield.…”

Optimizing integrated nutrient management for sustainable maize–sesame cropping in Gujarat Plains: A soil health perspective

“…(2023). Furthermore, the higher nitrogen availability in FYM‐treated plots may be attributed to the gradual release of organically bound nutrients from FYM, which enhances metal ion complexation and, consequently, elevates nutrient bioavailability in plants (Chen et al., 2010; Hashim et al., 2017).…”

Effects of combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizers on Triticum aestivum quality, soil nutrients, and ecological risks

“…Because co-application of organic and inorganic fertilizers causes a higher rate of K conversion than the chemical fertilization alone (Gosal et al 2017). This can be also explained by a higher TK content with increasing the rate of manure replacement (Hashim et al 2017).…”