Yield trends and changes in physicochemical properties of soil in maizewheat cropping system under integrated nutrient management

Abstract

Aim: 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. Methodology: 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 plot area were harvested and threshing was done by using wheat thresher and expressed as t ha-1. 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. Results: 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 17.1, 33.2%, available K by 5.1, 7.6% and 6.4, 10.7% and organic carbon by 3.1, 7.3% and 4.3, 12.5% over control during 2011 and 2012, respectively. Interpretation: Grain yield, soil physical and chemical properties was found to be affected by the integrated nutrient management. It can be concluded that integrated use of crop residue mixed farmyard manure and inorganic sources of nutrients along with biofertilizers proved better nutrient management option for higher yield, soil health and net returns from maize-wheat cropping system.