Balanced use of major nutrients for sustaining higher productivity of maize (Zea mays) wheat cropping system in acidic soils of Jharkhand

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted with maize (Zea mays L.) wheat (Triticum aestivum. L. emend. Fiori Paol.). cropping system in acidic soils (Alfisol) of Ranchi, during the rainy and winter seasons from 1997 to 1999, to study the varying higher levels of N (180 to 240 kglha), P20, (60 to 120 kgtha) and K20 (100 to 200 kglha) on yields and NPK uptake by crops. An increase in grain yields to up to 33 and 30.0% of maize and wheat respectively was noticed, with . . the higher rates of NPK application (210:90:150 kglha) over the state recommended levels (100:60:40 kglha) respectively. Total NPK uptake by both the crops was significantly higher under the modified rates of NPK compared with the state fertilizers recommendations. In general, value : cost ratio with varying levels of NPK was higher in wheat than in maize over the state fertilizer recommendations.