Improve Soil Physical Properties Research Articles

Effects of subsoiling tillage on structure, permeability, and crop yields on compacted Solonetzic and Chernozemic dryland soils in Western Canada

Compaction induced by field wheel traffic and dense layers in the subsoil may adversely alter soil structure, impede soil aeration, restrict water infiltration and nutrient uptake, and inhibit plant root development, negatively affecting plant yields. Reclaiming compacted Chernozemic and Solonetzic soils with hardpan B horizons may be possible through subsoiling operations to loosen the soil to depth, e.g. ~0.30 m. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of subsoiling on soil physical properties and plant yield in wheel traffic compacted and non-compacted Chernozemic and Solonetzic soils in southern Saskatchewan Canada. Subsoiling increased air permeability in the compacted Chernozemic soil from 4.5x10-7 m sec-1 to 2.9x10-6 m sec-1. In the compacted Solonetzic soil, subsoiling significantly decreased soil cone index to 1579 kPa compared to 2376 kPa in the non-subsoiled treatment. Crop yields (hard red spring wheat, dry peas) in the two years following the treatment were similar among tillage and compaction treatments in the Chernozemic soil. However, subsoiling of the compacted Solonetzic soil resulted in a seed yield increase of canola of ~ 1000 kg ha-1 in the first year of study and no treatment effect in the second year when wheat was grown. Overall, subsoiling of the compacted soils tended to improve soil physical properties, especially in the Solonetzic soils.

Influence of palm oil mills effluent (POME) sludge vermicomposting on soil physicochemical properties and Zea mays growth performances

Discharging the palm oil mill effluents (POME) might result in environmental pollution, thus the POME wastes that had high total solids, abundant in oil palm mills, potential to be utilized as an organic amendment, vermicompost or treated POME sludge (TPS). The objectives of this study are to determine the best treatment effect of organic amendments and Zea mays growth performances, and to analyse the soil physicochemical properties after application of treatments after harvesting. This experiment was carried out in Randomized Completely Block Design (RCBD) with 4 treatments and 6 replications. The treatments consisted of; treatment 1: Control, treatment 2: 2 kg FVC, treatment 3: 2 kg TPS and treatment 4: 1 kg FVC and 1 kg TPS. Based on the result, 2 kg FVC (T2) treatment showed significant improvement in soil physical properties and soil shear strength. Cation exchange capacity (CEC), nutrients availability and and Zea mays growth performances were also improved in this experiment. For shear strength analysis, T4 treatment showed high normal stress at 319.4 kN/m2. In conclusion, FVC organic fertilizer and mixed FVC and TPS indicated the best amendment in improving soil physicochemical and enhanced Zea mays growth performance and it is cost effective and environmentally friendly.

Improving Soil Physical Properties and Cassava Productivity Through Organic Fertilizers Management in the Southern Cameroon

Improving Soil Physical Properties and Cassava Productivity Through Organic Fertilizers Management in the Southern Cameroon

Spontaneous Vegetation as an Alternative to Cover Crops in Olive Orchards Reduces Water Erosion and Improves Soil Physical Properties Under Tropical Conditions

Spontaneous Vegetation as an Alternative to Cover Crops in Olive Orchards Reduces Water Erosion and Improves Soil Physical Properties Under Tropical Conditions

The residual effect of soil amendments application on physical sandy soil properties and first ratoon sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.)

Sugarcane cultivation in sandy soil is quite difficult because the sandy soil properties are less suitable for this crop. Soil amendment application might be important as a growth medium for sugarcane. This study aimed to improve the physical properties of sand-texture soil due to the residue of soil amendments application and their effect on first ratoon sugarcane. The study was arranged in a randomized block design with ten treatments and three replication. The treatment was soil amendments residue which had been applied in 2013 includes 10 t ha−1 of single soil amendment: sugarcane trash biochar (STB), sugarcane trash compost (STC), boiler ash (BA), cattle manure (CM); and 5+5 t ha−1 of combinations: STB+STC, STB+CM; BA+STC, BA+CM, BA+filter cake (FC), and control. The results showed that the residue of soil amendment at 11 months after ratooning significantly improved soil physical properties such as aggregate stability, bulk density, total porosity, and available water content. The residue treatments of STB, CM, STB+CM, gave better effect on soil properties and increased growth, but they did not significantly increase the yield of the first ratoon sugarcane. Therefore, further research is needed with a dose of soil amendments >10 t ha−1 in combination with nutrient treatments.

Surface morphology properties of biochar feedstock for soil amendment

A soil amendment is any material added to a soil to improve soil physical properties, support plant growth, improve soil fertility, organic matter, and water holding capacity, improve soil chemical and biological properties. Biochar is an organic amendment that improve soil fertility, mitigates climate change, and effectively keeps nutrients and available to plants. The chemical and physical properties of the biochar are important to know the suitable applications of biochar. The chemical and physical properties of the biochar are depending on the process and biomass feedstock. The research aimed to find out the kind of biomass feedstock for biochar as a soil amendment. The biochar feedstock was evaluated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electron dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis and can predicting possible uses for the biochars. The result showed that the biochar surface morphology properties were influenced by the feedstock types and pyrolysis temperature. The pores development and mineral contents in coconut shell biochar are the most suitable for soil amendment.

Integrated Use of Phosphatic Fertilizer and Farm Manure on Soil Physical Properties and Maize Yield

Soil fertility, one of the important determinants of agricultural productivity, is generally thought to be supplemented through the application of nutrients mainly through inorganic fertilizers and organic amendments. The physical health of the soil creating suitable environment for the availability and uptake of these nutrients is generally ignored. The present study was aims to characterize the soil physical environment in relation to integrated application of farm manure (FM) and inorganic fertilizer in hybrid maize (Zea mays L.). A Field experiment was conducted at Research Area of Institute of Soil Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture Faisalabad to evaluate the impact of different levels of DAP fertilizer @ 70:80:90 kg ha-1 in combination with FM @ 0, 5, 10 Mg ha-1 to check the soil physical properties as well as yield of hybrid maize. The experimental design was RCBD under factorial structure with 9 treatments replicated thrice. Crop was harvested at maturity and taking observations like physical parameters (Bulk density, porosity, infiltration rate, field saturated hydraulic conductivity, soil strength) and yield parameters (1000 grain weight, plant height, total grain yield) following standard procedures. Results showed that integrated use of farm manure and phosphorus rates significantly affect the plant height, grain yield of maize. Farm maure and phosphorus levels also increased soil porosity and soil hydraulic conductivity. But it reduced the soil bulk density and soil strength. So to improve soil physical properties, to gain substantial yield of maize phosphorus rates applied in a planned manner rather than excessive use and effects of farm manure should also be kept under consideration.

Soil Physical Properties and Root Growth of Pearl Millet as Affected by Ridge Tillage and Farmyard Manure

Ridge tillage (RT) and organic manure management are among promising agronomic practices for conserving soil moisture and improving soil physical environment in arid and semiarid rain-fed areas. The studies were conducted during the year 2020 farming season with two soil types from northeastern part of Nigeria to compare the relative efficacy of RT with and without organic manure in improving soil physical properties and root growth of millet under rain-fed semi-arid condition. The effects of the RT treatments in combination with organic manure were compared to the conventional flat-bed treatment (control, FB). The soil types chosen for the study were sandy loam soil located at the University of Maiduguri (Unimaid) and sandy clay loam located at Alakaramti village, respectively. The other land configuration and manure treatments compared were: open-ridge (OR), tied-ridge (TR), flat bed + manure (FBM), open-ridge + manure (ORM), and tied-ridge + manure (TRM) each laid out in randomized complete block design with four replicates. The combination of RT (open or tied) plus organic manure (ORM & TRM) performed better in terms of all measured parameters: bulk density (Bd), porosity (Tp), mean weight diameter (MWD), soil water content (SWC) and root growth as measured with root mass density (RMD) than the bare ridge-tilled (OR & TR) or flat bed with manure (FBM) and without manure (FB) treatments, irrespective of differences in soil type. The improvement in soil condition resulting from combining the practices of RT with organic manure application as reflected by reduced Bd, increased Tp, and higher profile SWC has enhanced millet root growth under the water limited rain-fed farming system of the study area. In regions like northeast Nigeria where low and variable rainfall often limits crop production, the practice of combining RT(open or tied) with organic matter input could be recommended as an optimal agronomic practice for improving drought resilience of crops like millet.

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

Integrated nutrient management (INM) is a widely recognized tool to ensure sustainable crop productivity while preserving soil fertility. The addition of organic manures in soil has been evidenced to improve soil characteristics, in addition to improving nutrient availability. The soil samples, with five treatment combinations of chemical fertilizers with farmyard manure (FYM), were collected from a 17-year-old field experiment conducted at PAU, Ludhiana to investigate the effect of INM on the buildup of organic carbon (OC), microbial community, soil nutrient status and improvement in soil physical properties under the maize–wheat cropping system. The INM technique enhanced the OC content (0.44 to 0.66%), available N (152.8 to 164.9 kg ha−1), P (22.8 to 31.4 kg ha−1) and K (140.6 to 168.0 kg ha−1) after 17 years. The DTPA-extractable and total micronutrients (Zn, Cu, Fe, and Mn) status also improved significantly with FYM supplementation. The organic source, coupled with inorganic fertilizers, improved the water holding capacity, total porosity, soil respiration, microbial biomass C, microbial biomass N, and potentially mineralizable N. However, pH, EC, and bulk density of soil decreased with the addition of FYM, coupled with chemical fertilizers.

The Effect of Composting Campus Litter Granules and Inorganic Fertilizers on the Improvement of Soil Physical Properties and Corn Yield (Zea mays L.) In Inceptisol

The addition of organic matter is done to overcome the problems that occur in acid soils such as inceptisols. The aim of the research was to develop organic fertilizer enriched in granular form from campus litter compost to improve soil physical properties and maize yield in Inceptisols. The treatments consisted of: no fertilizer (KGSK1), 8 t ha-1 granule compost (KGSK2), inorganic fertilizer (Urea, SP-36, and KCl) recommended dose (KGSK3), inorganic fertilizer + 8 t ha- granule compost (KGSK4 ), x dose of inorganic fertilizer + compost granule (8 t ha-1) (KGSK5), 2 times dose of inorganic fertilizer + compost granule 8 t ha-1 (KGSK6), x dose of inorganic fertilizer + compost granule 12 t ha- 1 (KGSK7) and 2 times the dose of inorganic fertilizer + compost 4 t ha (KGSK8). The study was designed using a randomized block design with three replications. The results of the study found that the provision of enriched campus litter granules, either applied singly or in combination with inorganic fertilizers, had a significant effect on improving soil physical properties, namely soil volume weight, soil specific gravity, soil porosity, fast drainage pores, slow drainage pores, water pores. available, and unavailable pore water were 0.90 g cm-3, 2.30 g cm-3, 7.77%, 23.54%, 8.83%, 11.62%, and 249.17%, and the yield of dry shelled corn was 7.85 tons ha- 1.Keywords: Granular compost, Corn, Inceptisol, inorganic fertilizer

Effectiveness of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) living mulch on weed suppression and yield of maize (Zea mays L.)

Abstract Weed control plays a vital role in achieving higher maize yield. We tested the hypothesis that interseeding cowpea as living mulch with maize will reduce biomass and diversity of weeds, and improve soil physical properties and maize yield. In 2017/2018 cropping seasons, a 2 × 4 factorial experiment was laid in a randomized complete block design with three replications at the Savelugu Municipality of Northern Ghana. The factorial treatment consisted of three cowpea varieties interseeded with two maize genotypes and a control (maize with no living mulch). Our result showed that, in both seasons, weed biomass and diversity, soil temperature, and grain yield were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in control plots than in cowpea living mulch plots at all growth stages of both maize varieties. However, maize growth was not affected by weeds at tasseling. We established that cowpea varieties as living mulch in maize cropping have similar effect on soil moisture and temperature but have varying degrees of suppressing weeds and improving maize yield. The cowpea living mulch had weed biomass of 0.5 t ha−1 compared to 2.6 t ha−1 in the control. In addition, living mulch plots had maize grain of 2 t ha−1 and stover yield of 3 t ha−1 compared to 0.98 and 2 t ha−1 respectively in the control. In conclusion, choosing the appropriate time for intercropping living mulches and selection of plant species (growth and canopy cover) for living mulch are essential in suppressing growth of weeds.

Functional root trait‐based classification of cover crops to improve soil physical properties

AbstractCover crop use is a well‐established soil conservation technique and has been proven effective for erosion control and soil remediation in many arable systems. Whereas the obvious protection mechanism of cover crops occurs through the canopy, plant roots perform multiple functions. It is important to consider the soil functions delivered by different root systems in order to increase the uptake of cover crops for sustainable soil and water management. A classification of cover crop root systems up to 0.6 m deep based on functional traits will allow us to better study their potential role in soil bio‐engineering, soil structural improvements for hydrological services and soil resource protection. This was a glasshouse experiment, using large 1‐m3 containers filled with loam soil, loose topsoil and compacted subsoil, in which seven cover crop species (oat, rye, buckwheat, vetch, radish, mustard, phacelia) were grown for 90 days. Root cores were taken at the end of the experiment, washed and imaged to determine root traits (total root length density, average root diameter, root specific length and root surface area) for both the topsoil and subsoil layers. Root identity was determined from a distinctive combination of single root traits and related to three soil functional variables, representing soil structural improvement, runoff mitigation and erosion control. The results showed that total root length and root surface area correlate well with aggregate stability and soil macroporosity. Buckwheat, mustard and rye had significantly greater aggregate stability, as well as 10, 8 and 7% greater microporosity, respectively, at the interface with the compacted layer when compared to the control bare soil. Furthermore, average root diameter negatively correlated with soil macroporosity, indicating that cover crops with a fine root system are more beneficial for creating pore‐space than those with thicker taproots. Selecting cover crop species with the right root traits is therefore crucial to improve soil health.Highlights Roots of cover crops are a largely unexplored frontier for bio‐engineering of agricultural soils. Combinations of root traits were identified that most improve soil characteristics. Cover crops with finer root systems were better at enhancing porosity. Root length and surface area were most important for enhancing soil structure.

Organic Fertilization and Tree Orchards

Organic fertilization has been proposed as an alternative approach to supply nutrients for crops, in the frame of organic and sustainable agriculture, with the aim to decrease high inorganic fertilization rates, protect the environment and decrease production costs for farmers. Since different types of organic fertilizers, such as manures, olive mill wastewater (OMW), sewage sludge (SS), crushed pruning wastes, composts and cover crops, exist as soil amendments to improve soil fertility, enhance plant nutrition and sustain the productivity of tree crops, their role as biofertilizers has been fully analyzed under the most important published papers. In addition, the benefits and drawbacks of organic fertilization, in a comparative approach with inorganic fertilization, are presented and discussed. Within the most important advantages of organic fertilizers, the enhancement of beneficial soil microorganisms and the improvement in soil physical properties and fertility should be included, while their most important disadvantage is their inability to directly satisfy the prompt N nutritional needs of tree crops, due to slow N mineralization rates. Finally, some novel aspects on the interrelation among innovative organic fertilizers for tree crops, sustainable field management, crop productivity and fruit quality are also included in this review, under the light of the most important and recent research data existing in the literature, with the aim to provide recommendations and future directions for organic fertilizers by tree growers.

Assessing the Potential of Biochar for Improving Soil Physical Properties and Tree Growth

The effect of biochar on tree growth and soil physical properties as indicated in literature is still outstanding. Information on the effect of biochar on tree growth is limited, and the available literature has recorded conflicting results. Therefore, a field experiment using Casuarina equisetifolia (Casuarina) as the test crop under different biochar rates was conducted. Four biochar rates (0, 2.5, 5.0, and 7.5 t ha−1) were used as treatments, each replicated three times. Generally, biochar-amended plots recorded higher Casuarina height, collar diameter, and diameter at breast height (DBH). The application of biochar at 7.5 t ha−1 resulted in higher Casuarina height of up to 20.2% compared to the control. On the contrary, application of biochar at 2.5 t ha−1 recorded higher collar diameter of up to 30.2% compared to the control. Generally, there was a decrease in soil bulk density with biochar application. Bulk density decreased linearly with increasing biochar application rates with biochar application rate of 7.5 t ha−1 recording the lowest bulk density (0.99 g cm−3). There was a decrease in bulk density of up to 25% compared to the control with the biochar application rate of 7.5 t ha−1. Biochar application rate of 7.5 t ha−1 also recorded the highest soil moisture content across the assessment periods. Biochar-amended plots recorded higher soil moisture content than the untreated control. There was increase in soil moisture content following biochar application of up to 108% with the application of biochar at 7.5 t ha−1 compared to the untreated control. The increase in soil moisture content with biochar application can be attributed to biochar’s porous nature and large surface area. These results suggest that the use of biochar has the potential of enhancing Casuarina growth while enhancing soil physical properties by decreasing bulk density and enhancing soil moisture storage.

Sesbania brown manuring improves soil health, productivity, and profitability of post-rice bread wheat and chickpea

SummaryContinuous rotation of rice with wheat in rice–wheat system has resulted in stagnant yields and reduced profit margins while deteriorating the soil health. Legume incorporation in existing rice–wheat rotations might be a viable option to improve soil health and productivity. We investigated the influence of puddled transplanted flooded rice and direct-seeded rice on weed dynamics, soil health, productivity, and profitability of post-rice wheat and chickpea grown under zero tillage and conventional tillage. The previous direct-seeded rice crop was either sown alone or intercropped with sesbania as brown manure. The experiment comprised different rice–wheat and rice–chickpea systems which had been in place for two years: with and without rice residue retention. The initial soil analysis indicated that the plots with sesbania brown manuring in direct-seeded rice had the lowest soil bulk density (17.2%) and highest soil porosity (19.3%). Zero tillage in wheat or chickpea in the plots previously cultivated with co-culture of sesbania and direct-seeded rice increased total soil organic carbon by 13–22% in both years. The plots with sesbania brown manuring in direct-seeded rice followed by zero till or conventional till wheat and the plots with direct-seeded rice followed by zero till wheat with rice residue retention recorded the greater concentrations of total nitrogen, available phosphorus, and exchangeable potassium. Zero tillage in wheat and chickpea in post-rice sesbania brown manuring plots produced 41% and 43% more grain yield than those in the puddled transplanted flooded rice with conventional tillage and had the highest profitability. Overall, the rice–chickpea systems had better soil health and profitability than rice–wheat cropping systems. In conclusion, direct-seeded rice intercropped with sesbania followed by wheat and chickpea under zero tillage suppressed weed flora and improved soil physical properties, nutrient availability, productivity, and profitability.

Effect of crop straw biochars on the remediation of Cd-contaminated farmland soil by hyperaccumulator Bidens pilosa L.

Cadmium (Cd) due to its strong toxicity and high mobility, which poses a considerable threat to soil environment and human health, has aroused widespread concern. Biochar has been used for remediating Cd-contaminated soil recently, however this method has the risk of fixed-Cd re-release. Phytoremediation can make up for its shortcoming. In this study, a pot experiment was carried out, where Bidens pilosa L. (B.pilosa) was as the tested plant and biochars (maize straw biochar and wheat straw biochar with two particle sizes) were as amendments. The mechanism of how biochars promoted B.pilosa Cd accumulation in Cd-contaminated farmland soil was explored. Results showed that the application of 5% wheat straw fine biochar (WF), wheat straw coarse biochar (WC), maize straw fine biochar (MF) and maize straw coarse biochar (MC) increased the total Cd accumulation of B.pilosa to 251.57%, 217.41%, 321.64% and 349.66%, respectively. Biochars amendment significantly promoted B.pilosa growth and increased Cd accumulation by improving soil physical properties, nutrient levels (available nitrogen, available phosphorus (AP), available potassium (AK) and organic matter (OM)) and microbial activity, and changing the nutrients distribution in B.pilosa organs although tissues although DTPA-Cd reduced to some extent. The effect of MF on AP increase was better than MC, while the effect of WF on AK increase was better than WC. Fine-particle was superior to coarse-particle in increasing B.pilosa biomass of aboveground, OM and microbial activity in soil. The changes of N, P and K concentrations in B.pilsosa roots, stems and leaves were closely related to the changes of AN, AP and AK in soil after biochars application. The results indicated that the combination of straw biochars and hyperaccumulators had the synergistic effect. This study can provide data support and meaningful reference values for remediating actual Cd-contaminated soil.

By increasing infiltration and reducing evaporation, mulching can improve the soil water environment and apple yield of orchards in semiarid areas

Infiltration and evaporation are two important components of soil water balance in semiarid areas. For local orchards using drip irrigation, rainfall and irrigation events have a profound impact on soil infiltration and evaporation. As an effective water conservation technique, soil surface mulching is widely used in semiarid areas. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of mulching (e.g., horticultural fabric mulching and corn straw mulching) on soil infiltration and evaporation after irrigation and rainfall. Through field experiments, we investigated soil infiltration and evaporation during three wet-dry cycles and for a rainy month and studied the effects of mulching on soil physical properties and apple yields. The results showed that both horticultural fabric mulching (FM) and straw mulching (SM) improved soil physical properties by reducing soil bulk density and increasing porosity and that SM had a better effect. Mulching increased infiltration after irrigation and heavy rain, while SM reduced infiltration when light rain occurred. Regardless of whether the soil was in the energy-limited stage or falling-rate stage, mulching can effectively reduce soil evaporation. We determined that the threshold of soil water content (SWC) between the energy-limited stage and falling-rate stage was 22.09–22.75%. When SWC is lower than the threshold, there is a positive significant correlation between evaporation and SWC, while no significant correlation was found when it is above the threshold. Moreover, mulching effectively increased apple yields and irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) for three consecutive years. Therefore, both FM and SM have potential for application in orchards in semiarid areas to improve soil and moisture conditions in the root zone.

Biochar with Alternate Wetting and Drying Irrigation: A Potential Technique for Paddy Soil Management

Over half of the world’s population depends on rice for its calorie supply, although it consumes the highest amount of water compared to other major crops. To minimize this excess water usage, alternate wetting and drying (AWD) irrigation practice is considered as an efficient technique in which soil intermittently dried during the growing period of rice by maintaining yield compared to a flooded system. Continuous AWD may result in poor soil health caused by carbon loss, nutrient depletion, cracking, and affecting soil physical properties. Due to being a potential organic amendment, biochar has a great scope to overcome these problems by improving soil’s physicochemical properties. Biochar is a carbon enriched highly porous material and characterized by several functional groups on its large surface area and full of nutrients. However, biochar’s implication for sustaining soil physicochemical and water retention properties in the AWD irrigation systems has not been widely discussed. This paper reviews the adverse impacts of AWD irrigation on soil structure and C, N depletion; the potential of biochar to mitigate this problem and recovering soil productivity; its influence on improving soil physical properties and moisture retention; and the scope of future study. This review opined that biochar efficiently retains nutrients and supplies as a slow-release fertilizer, which may restrict preferential nutrient loss through soil cracks under AWD. It also improves soil’s physical properties, slows cracking during drying cycles, and enhances water retention by storing moisture within its internal pores. However, long-term field studies are scarce; additionally, economic evaluation is required to confirm the extent of biochar impact.

Biochar Improves Maize Growth but Has a Limited Effect on Soil Properties: Evidence from a Three-Year Field Experiment

Biochar application is reported as a method for improving physical and chemical soil properties, with a still questionable impact on the crop yields and quality. Plant productivity can be affected by biochar properties and soil conditions. High efficiency of biochar application was reported many times for plant cultivation in tropical and arid climates; however, the knowledge of how the biochar affects soils in temperate climate zones exhibiting different properties is still limited. Therefore, a three-year-long field experiment was conducted on a loamy Haplic Luvisol, a common arable soil in Central Europe, to extend the laboratory-scale experiments on biochar effectiveness. A low-temperature pinewood biochar was applied at the rate of 50 t h−1, and maize was selected as a tested crop. Biochar application did not significantly impact the chemical soil properties and fertility of tested soil. However, biochar improved soil physical properties and water retention, reducing plant water stress during hot dry summers, and thus resulting in better maize growth and higher yields. Limited influence of the low-temperature biochar on soil properties suggests the crucial importance of biochar-production technology and biochar properties on the effectiveness and validity of its application in agriculture.

Effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal consortia on growth, quality and nutrient uptake of dracaena (Dracaena marginata)

The present research was designed to study the effect of media (soil + FYM (3: 1 v/v), VAM and mineral NPK (19: 19: 19) at 5.0, 10.0, 15.0 g/pot and their combined effect on growth promotion and nutrient uptake of dracaena (Dracaena marginata) plant during 2018-19 at Ornamental Horticulture and Landscaping Unit, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa Campus, New Delhi. The experiment was laid out in a Completely Randomized Design with seven treatments combination, replicated thrice with five pots per replication. Balanced fertilization resulted in increased SOC (soil organic carbon) which resulted in improved soil physical properties such as CEC and pH. This consequently enhances growth performance, total biomass weight and nutrient uptake significantly for all treatments against control. Treatment combination of Soil + FYM (3:1) + 3 g Urea + 10 g VAM consortia + 5 g NPK (19:19:19) was found best for growth promotion and nutrient uptake of Dracaena marginata.