Effect of integrated organic nutrient management on growth, yield, and soil fertility under a maize–berseem–cowpea cropping system

Abstract

Intensive cropping systems in South Asia, particularly those focused on year-round fodder supply, are increasingly constrained by soil fertility decline, nutrient imbalance, and reduced biological activity due to the overreliance on inorganic fertilizers. To address this challenge, the present study evaluated the effects of integrated organic nutrient management (IONM) involving farmyard manure (FYM), plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), and Panchagavya on crop performance and soil health under a maize (Zea mays L.) (M)–berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) (B)–cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) (C) sequential fodder system. A field experiment was conducted over three consecutive years (2018–2021) with seven nutrient management treatments, including fully organic, partially organic, and inorganic fertilizer-based regimes. Research findings revealed that the T7 treatment, involving 100% Recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) through FYM + PGPR + 3% foliar spray of Panchagavya (M) – PGPR + 3% foliar spray of Panchagavya (B) – PGPR + 3% foliar spray of Panchagavya (C), yielded significant improvements in both green fodder of maize (35.4, 37.0, and 38.6 t ha−1), berseem (58.2, 60.0, and 60.6 t ha−1) and cowpea (25.7, 27.5, and 28.3 t ha−1) during 2018–19, 2019–20 and 2020–21, respectively. Results revealed that T7 significantly enhanced plant growth attributes from 20.7–34.4%. in all three crops. Nutrient concentrations (N, P, K, Zn, Fe) and uptake were consistently higher under T7 across all crops. Additionally, T7 recorded the improvement in soil nutrient availability after each crop cycle, reflecting cumulative benefits over time. The findings indicate that the integrated application of FYM, PGPR, and Panchagavya can serve as a sustainable alternative to inorganic fertilizers by improving both crop productivity and soil fertility. The study supports the adoption of IONM strategies for enhancing the resilience and sustainability of intensive fodder production systems, offering a viable pathway for reducing chemical input dependency while maintaining high yields.