Integrated Nutrient Management Practices Research Articles

Organic Farming vs. Integrated Nutrient Management: A Comparative Review of Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability

In an era where sustainable agriculture is crucial for global food security and environmental preservation, organic farming and Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) have emerged as leading practices. This review paper offers a comprehensive comparison of these two approaches, focusing on their impact on agricultural productivity and sustainability. Organic farming, with its emphasis on reducing the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, growth hormones, and feed additives, aligns closely with the principles of sustainability. It enhances food quality, promotes soil health, and mitigates adverse environmental effects by encouraging natural recovery cycles. However, organic farming's limitations, such as lower yields and a more labour-intensive approach have prompted interest in innovative solutions that blend organic practices with modern technologies. Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) presents a compelling alternative. By combining organic, inorganic, and biological nutrient sources, INM seeks to optimize nutrient use efficiency and maintain soil health. This approach offers a flexible nutrient management strategy, balancing organic and inorganic inputs to maintain crop productivity while reducing environmental impact. Studies have shown that INM can improve soil properties, such as bulk density, porosity, and water-holding capacity, leading to enhanced crop yields and lower greenhouse gas emissions. The paper explores how INM's integrated approach not only stabilizes crop production but also supports the growth of soil microbes, providing a source of energy and organic carbon. By using a combination of specific microorganisms, organic matter, and minimal doses of inorganic fertilizers, INM can achieve a harmonious balance that reduces environmental pollution and ensures long-term soil fertility. Ultimately, this review underscores the potential of combining organic and INM practices to create a sustainable and productive agricultural system. Through a comparative analysis, the paper aims to guide researchers, policymakers, and farmers towards adopting strategies that foster agricultural sustainability without compromising productivity.

Microbial population and yield of rice–wheat system under variable irrigation and nutrient management

A field experiment was conducted during rainy (kharif) season of 2018–19 and winter (rabi) season of 2019–20 at the Water Management Research Farm of CSK Himachal Pradesh Agricultural University, Palampur, Kangra, Himachal Pradesh to study the effect of moisture and nutrient management practices on different soil microbial entities and crop yields in rice (Oryza sativa L.)–wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) system. Experiment was laid out in a split-plot design with 3 replications. Treatments comprised of 3 irrigation levels, viz. Recommended critical stages regimes; Irrigation at 0.8 CPE (cumulative pan evaporation) (rice) and 0.6 CPE (wheat); Irrigation at 1.0 CPE (rice) and 1.0 CPE (wheat) assigned to main-plots and 4 nutrient management practices, viz. Inorganic; Organic; Natural farming; and Integrated management allotted to sub-plots. Irrigation at critical stages resulted in significantly higher rice yield, bacterial, azotobacter, phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB), actinomycetes population. However, fungi population increased under higher moisture regimes. In case of wheat crop, irrigation at 1.0 CPE resulted in a significantly higher yield (7.5% higher over irrigation at critical stages) in both the years of study. Organic and integrated nutrient management practices being statistically at par with each other recorded significantly higher microbial population. A significantly higher fungi population was, however, recorded with natural farming. The highest crop yields were obtained with integrated nutrient management (3.4 t/ha rice and 3.6 t/ha wheat in second year). The best combination for rice was irrigation at critical stages along with integrated nutrient management. Whereas, for wheat irrigation at 1.0 CPE with same nutrient management proved to be the best. Hence it is recommended to follow integrated nutrient management and irrigation at critical stages in rice and at 1.0 CPE in wheat for higher productivity as well as for improved biological properties of soil.

Demonstration of Integrated Nutrient Management Practices on Yield, Yield Attributes and Economics of Pomegranate (cv. Bhagwa) in Arid Zone of Andhra Pradesh

Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) demonstrations on pomegranate were conducted in 20 farmer fields in Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Kalyandurg-operated mandals of Ananthapur district in Andhra Pradesh state during 2022-23 and 2023-24. The aim was to demonstrate the influence of INM practice on enhancing yield attributing features, yield and economics in farmer fields. According to the data, INM practice resulted in a larger number of flowers/plants, fruits/plant, fruit setting percentage, average fruit weight and yield/plant than farmer’s practice, who used chemical nutrient management alone. The demonstration of INM practice resulted in 11.56% and 10.52% higher fruit output than farmers' practices in 2022-23 and 2023-24, respectively. The enhanced yield in INM practice can be attributed to more fruits per plant and heavier fruit weight. INM approaches also provided a greater economic advantage, and their adoption resulted in a better benefit-cost ratio (5.87) than farmers' use of inorganic nutrient management (5.40). From the findings It can be concluded that, under current circumstances, adopting INM practices in pomegranate cultivation could result in a higher economic benefit than farmers' practices, encouraging more farmers to adopt INM practices not only in pomegranate but also in other major fruit crops in Ananthapur district of Andhra Pradesh.

Delineation of Soil Fertility Status and KVK Intervention to Improve the Productivity of Pepper in TSP Villages of Namakkal District under Soil Health Card Mission

Soil is the most important resource needed for agriculture production. The unbalanced fertilizer application associated with more production by high yield varieties affects the soil quality vulnerably. Soils of tribal areas, having multi nutrient deficiencies due to intense cropping especially spices Pepper, coffee, cardamom and banana. Balanced application of plant nutrients is thus the only option to increase soil productivity for maintaining/enhancing the overall soil productivity. Delineation of soil nutrient status is an important practice to plan the nutrient scheduling for pepper crop. Hence 100 soil samples were collected from five adopted villages and tested its properties. Based on the analytical results, soil health cards issued along with fertilizer recommendation. Then 50 farmers were selected, trained all scientific package of practices through trainings. The field experiment was conducted in 50 farmer’s field in an area of 20 ha. Pepper variety Panniyur 1 was the test crop. Application of soil test based integrated nutrient management practice increased the yield attributes and yield of pepper. An average of Rs. 74,220/ha net profit could be obtained by adopting all scientific package of practices in the farm holdings.

Impact of Combining Microbial Enriched Organic Manures with Inorganic Nutrients on Physiological Characteristics and Productivity of Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.)

The present investigation was undertaken to validate the integrated use of inorganic fertilizers and biofertilizers inoculated in organic manures on the physiological attributes and of pearl millet in the School of Agricultural Science, Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences, Coimbatore, India. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications, during the rabi season of 2023-24. Results outlined that the integrated nutrient management practice of applying Azospirillum & PSB enriched vermicompost @ 6 t ha-1 + 100% Recommended dose of N, P2O5 & K2O has significantly increased the physiological attributes (leaf area index, crop growth rate, chlorophyll index), and yield (grain yield and stover yield) of pearl millet. This was statistically on par with the treatment Azospirillum & PSB enriched FYM @12.5 t ha-1 + 100% RDF dose of N, P2O5 & K2O.

Study of Physiological Growth Indices and Yield of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) to Soil and Foliar Application Through Integrated Nutrient Management Practices

An investigation was conducted in Rabi season of 2023-24 at the instructional farm of Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences, Coimbatore, to evaluate the performance of physiological indices on chickpeas under soil and foliar application. The experiment was established on a Factorial Randomized Block Design (FRBD). The treatments were soil application of NPK 100 percent (A1), NPK 100 percent + FYM 10 t ha-1 (A2), NPK 100 percent + Vermicompost 5 t ha-1 (A3), NPK 75 percent + FYM 10 t ha-1 (A4) and NPK 75 percent + Vermicompost 5 t ha-1 (A5) combined with foliar applications, viz., Nano-DAP (B1) and Nano-Urea (B2). The results of the study revealed that morpho-physiological attributes of chickpeas were statistically increased by the application of soil (NPK 75 percent + Vermicompost 5 t ha-1) combined with foliar (Nano-urea) nutrient management practices resulting in maximum grain yield of 15.64 q ha-1 and stover yield of 30.49 q ha-1. The results of this study underscore the importance of integrated nutrient management practices involving soil and foliar applications in enhancing the physiological indices of chickpeas.

Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management on Growth, Yield and Quality of Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)

A field experiment was conducted at Instructional farm, DCAAS College Rampur, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, during the Rabi season of 2022-2023 to evaluate the performance of potato under different integrated nutrient management (INM) options. The experiment was placed in randomised block design (RBD) with five nutrient management options. Various parameters related to plant growth, tuber formation, and tuber weight and yield were examined across different treatment conditions. The results revealed that T5 (Vermicompost + Urea + FYM + Neemcake), representing an integrated nutrient management approach, consistently exhibited the highest plant weight (23.633cm) at different growth stages (30 DAS, 60 DAS, 90 DAS), indicating a positive effect on plant growth. Additionally, T3 (Urea) displayed superior performance regarding the number of tubers in different weight categories (0-25g, 25-50g, 50-75g, and 75g), suggesting enhanced tuber formation. However, the most significant outcome was the consistent superiority of T5 in terms of tuber weight and yield. T5 consistently produced the highest weight of tubers in all weight categories and achieved the highest tuber yield per plot (9.243q h-1). These findings underscore the positive impact of integrated nutrient management practices on tuber weight and overall crop productivity in potatoes. It is important to note that specific details regarding the nutrient management practices used were not provided, necessitating further research to identify the particular combination and types of nutrients employed in T5. Overall, this study emphasizes the importance of implementing integrated nutrient management strategies to enhance the growth and yield of potato crops, encouraging further investigation into the optimization of plant growth and tuber yield through nutrient management practices.

Effect of Different Integrated Nutrient Management Approaches on Growth, Yield Attributes and Yield of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Crop: A Review

The adequate and balanced supply of plant nutrients is of critical importance in improving the productivity of wheat crop. Due to prohibitive cost of chemical fertilizers, Indian farmers, mostly marginal and small, do not supply the recommended doses of nutrients to these energy rich crops, indigenously available organic sources of nutrients have been recorded to enhance the efficiency and reduce the requirement of chemical fertilizers. The nutrients (N, P, K and Zn) can be supplied through fertilizers, organic manures, biofertilizers, bio-stimulants and their combined applications under integrated nutrient management. Wheat varieties differ in their phenology, requirement of thermal and photoperiod units and growth habits which cumulatively determine the varietal adaptation at different locations and sowing times. Therefore, comparative evaluation of varieties suitable for early, normal and late sown conditions is warranted to identify the growth patterns, physiological traits and yield attributes that will favorably influence the grain yield and biomass in wheat under normal and late sown conditions. This review examines response of wheat varieties to integrated nutrient management practices in wheat crop sown under normal and late planting conditions.

Yield assessment of rice-black gram, rice-maize and rice-groundnut sequential cropping system influenced by rice establishment methods and nutrient management practices in the dry tract of the Southern zone of Tamil Nadu, India

Integrated nutrient management (INM) practices and suitable cropping systems are an effective and promising way for enhancing crop productivity. However, the impact of proper INM practices and cultivation methods in rice cropping systems in dry tracts remains unclear. The field study evaluated the suitable cropping system under different rice establishment methods with INM practices in a sequential cropping system( rice-black gram, rice-maize, and rice-groundnut). Treatments were designed as two rice establishment methods [Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) and Transplanted Rice (TPR)] and five  INM practices [RDF-Recommended Dose of Fertilizer (120:40:40 kg NPK ha-1) alone, RDF + Poultry manure compost @ 5 t ha-1, RDF+  Coir pith compost @ 5 t ha-1, RDF+ Green manure  @ 6.25 t ha-1 and RDF-Green leaf manure @ 6.25 t ha-1].  TPR with the INM practice of RDF + poultry manure compost @ 5 t ha-1  recorded maximum productive tillers m-2 (351), number of filled grains panicle-1 (130.2), grain yield (6709 kg ha-1) and straw yield (9015 kg ha-1) of rice. Rice fallow crops (black gram, maize and groundnut) recorded 10 – 24,10-18  and 10 - 21 % higher values of yield components and yield, respectively, in DSR with INM treatment of RDF + Green manure  @ 6.25 t ha-1 . Thus, RDF plus green manure or poultry manure application is an apt INM practice for a rice-based sequential cropping system under DSR, and the rice-black gram is an economical and sustainable cropping system for dry tracts of the southern zone of Tamil Nadu.   

Influence of Integrated Nutrient Management Practices on Soil Fertility and Yield of Fodder Maize in Chennai

Field experiments were conducted to study the influence of fodder maize (Zea mays L.) by adopting different bulky organic manures and fertilizer levels on the soil fertility status and fodder yield of maize. The study was conducted during rabi season of 2019 and 2020 at the Department of Agronomy, Madras Veterinary College, Chennai. An experiment was laid out in split plot design. Main plots consisted of different organic manure treatments viz., No manure, farm yard manure (25 t ha-1), vermicompost (12 t ha-1) and poultry manure (12 t ha-1). Sub plots consisted of varying level of fertilizer treatments viz., No fertilizer, 125% RDF, 100% RDF, 75% RDF. The blanket recommendation of fertilizer to fodder maize is 60 kg N ha-1: 40 kg P2O5 ha-1: 20 kg K2O ha-1. The organic manures were applied as per the N equivalent basis to inorganic nutrient recommendation. The results revealed that all the soil parameters, green and dry fodder yield were significantly affected with the application of organic manures and fertilizer levels. Organic sources of nutrients tended to improve soil physico-chemical properties viz., bulk density, water holding capacity, porosity and organic carbon. The highest organic carbon content was noticed with the application of poultry manure (0.50 %) followed by poultry manure. The post harvest available soil nutrients was high in fodder maize grown with poultry manure along with 125% recommended dose of inorganic fertilizer to fodder maize recorded higher soil available nitrogen (109.48 kg ha-1), phosphorus (15.46 kg ha-1) and potassium (118.65 kg ha-1). Significantly higher green and dry fodder yield of maize was recorded with application of poultry manure along with 75 % recommended dose of fertilizer. Hence, application of organic manures specifically poultry manure along with low level of fertilizer improved the soil fertility and thus increased the green fodder yield of maize.

Integrated nutrient management practices in Mrig bahar crop of guava under high density plantation

Integrated nutrient management practices in Mrig bahar crop of guava under high density plantation

Release, availability and geochemical interaction of Fe in soil after long‐term integrated nutrient management in wheat

AbstractWheat contributes to about one‐fifth of the total calories and protein consumption by humans but is found lower in total iron (Fe) concentration than the targeted nutritional requirement, leading to increasing cases of anaemia and malnutrition in humans, especially in the developing countries. Therefore, it is the need of the hour to understand the dynamics of Fe in soil and its supply in relation to wheat productivity and grain quality. The objectives of this study were to examine the impact of long‐term (54 years) annual and biannual application of different doses of farmyard manure (FYM) (0, 5, 10 and 15 Mg ha−1) and nitrogen (0, 60 and 120 kg ha−1) under integrated nutrient management on the dynamics of Fe in soil along with its relationship with total Fe uptake in wheat. Additionally, the release pattern of native soil Fe and risk of Fe toxicity were evaluated. The highest grain yield of wheat (6.08 Mg ha−1) was observed under biannual application of FYM and nitrogen at 10 Mg ha−1 and 120 kg ha−1, respectively, which was approximately 155% higher than the control plot (F0N0). Under the dual season application of 15 Mg ha−1 FYM and 120 kg ha−1 nitrogen, the total Fe content (48.48 mg kg−1) and its uptake (270.52 g ha−1) in wheat grains were found at maximum. The soil incubation study revealed that the rate of release of Fe increased up to 30 days of incubation followed by constant rates indicating the establishment of dynamic equilibrium among the different Fe fractions. Thus, the present study was conducted for the first time to improve the understanding of changes in Fe concentration and rate of release in soil, which directly influence the Fe uptake in wheat grain under the long‐term integrated nutrient management practices.

Effects of Soil Moisture Conservation and Nutrient Management on Soil Water Content and WUE of Grain Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) in Eastern Ethiopia

Water and nutrients are the most constraining factors in sorghum production in semiarids of eastern Ethiopia. Combining soil moisture conservation and nutrient management practices may reduce these limitations. The study was carried out to explore the effects of combining soil moisture preservation and integrated nutrient management practices on soil water content and water-use efficiency (WUE) of grain sorghum. A split plot experiment was conducted at Babile and Erer districts amid the 2017 cropping season. Main plots were assigned to soil moisture conservation practices (flatbed and tied ridge) and the sub-plots were assigned to six nutrient combinations of 0N0P kg + t FYM; 46N10P kg + t FYM ha-1; 0N0P kg + 5 t FYM ha-1; 23N5P kg + 2.5 t FYM ha-1; 46N10P kg + 2.5 t FYM ha-1 and 23N5P kg + 5 t FYM ha-1. Treatments were randomized in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. The sorghum variety 'Teshale' was used as a test crop. The results uncovered that both biomass and grain water-use efficiencies considerably improved with tied ridges coordinates with NP and FYM than other treatments. Tied ridges combined with 46N10P kg + 2.5 t FYM ha-1 and 23N5P kg + 5 t FYM ha-1 were way better than those of tied edges. The tied edges with 46N10P kg + 2.5 t FYM ha-1 (M5) as compared to unfertilized flatbeds, had brought about approximately 110 and 99% increment in biomass WUE and around 114 and 124% increment in grain WUE at Babile and Erer areas, respectively. Essentially, soil water content was higher for tied ridges amended with FYM and integrated NP and FYM as compared to other treatments. We, hence, concluded that combining moisture conservation impacts with the integrated nutrient amendment would improve soil water content and water-use efficiency of grain sorghum in eastern Ethiopia.

Organic farming practices in rainfed lowland rice in hill zone of Karnataka, India

A large-scale field trial was conducted at Agricultural Research Station (Paddy), Sirsi of the University of Agricultural Sciences, Sirsi, Karnataka, India, during 2004–15 on a fixed site, to study the effect of different organic farming practices on productivity of rice (Oryza sativa L.) under inorganic and integrated nutrient-management practices. The trial consisted of 5 treatments, viz. T1 , Organic [75% N through organic manures + 100% organic plant protection (PP) measures]; T2, organic [100% N through organic manure + 100% organic plant protection (PP) measures]; T3 , integrated nutrient management [50% N through organic manures + 50% RDF + integrated PP measures]; T4 , inorganic treatment [recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) alone + inorganic PP measures]; and T5 , recommended practice (RDF + FYM 10 t/ha + integrated PP measures). The rice variety ‘Abilash’ was grown during the rainy (kharif) season with these treatments. At the end of 12th year, i.e. during 2015, the grain yield recorded in treatment T2 (6.418 t/ha) was the maximum and was found on a par with T5 (6.328 t/ha). How-ever, the straw yield was the maximum in T5 (7.577 t/ha), being at par with T2 (7.494 t/ha). The net returns realized were significantly highest with treatment T2 (`41,045/ha) compared to all the other treatments. The soil organic carbon (0.77%), available major (221.2, 22.0 and 67.0 kg/ha of N, P and K, respectively) and micro-nutrients (515.5, 100.8, 5.6 ppm of calcium, magnesium and zinc, respectively and 7.6 kg/ha of sulphur) were also higher with treatment T2 .

The Impact of Integrated Nutrient Management on Trifolium alexandrinum Varietal Performance in the Indo-Gangetic Plains: A Comparative Yield and Economic Analysis

The importance of selecting an appropriate berseem variety and implementing effective nutrient management practices is crucial for maximizing both the production and economic potential of forage crops. This was clearly demonstrated in a field experiment conducted during the rabi seasons of 2019–2020 and 2020–2021. The experimental setup was a factorial randomized block design incorporating five berseem varieties (Mescavi, HB-1, HB-2, BL-10, and BL-42) and five integrated nutrient management practices: 100% recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) or NM-1, 75% RDF + plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) or NM-2, 75% RDF + municipal solid waste compost (MSWC) or NM-3, 75% RDF + farmyard manure (FYM) + PGPR or NM-4, and 50% RDF + MSWC + PGPR or NM-5. The objective of the experiment was to evaluate the physio-morphological responses, biomass yield, and economic efficiencies of different berseem varieties under various nutrient management practices. The experimental results highlighted the superior performance of the BL-42 variety in terms of growth and yield attributes compared to the other tested berseem varieties. Specifically, BL-42 showed an enhancement in total green fodder yield by 17.10%, 26.60%, 37.75%, and 28.04% over the varieties BL-10, HB-2, HB-1, and Mescavi, respectively. Moreover, the application of the 75% RDF + FYM + PGPR treatment (NM-4) significantly boosted the total green fodder yield by 13.08%, 14.29%, 34.48%, and 39.02% over the 75% RDF + MSWC, 100% RDF, 75% RDF + PGPR, and 50% RDF + MSWC + PGPR treatments, respectively. In terms of economic returns, BL-42 achieved a significantly higher gross return (GR) and net return (NR) of 194,989 ₹/ha and 145,142 ₹/ha, respectively, compared to the GR and NR of BL-10 (166,512 and 116,665 ₹/ha, respectively). Similarly, the nutrient management practice of 75% RDF + FYM + PGPR recorded the highest GR and NR (191,638 and 137,346 ₹/ha, respectively) compared to the 100% RDF treatment (167,593 and 120,716 ₹/ha, respectively). These findings underscore the critical role of variety selection and tailored nutrient management in optimizing both the yield and economic gains in forage crop cultivation. The significant differences in production and returns highlight the potential of targeted agronomic strategies to enhance the profitability and sustainability of forage farming.

Effect of Balance and Imbalanced Fertilization on Soil Physical Properties, Growth and Yield of Rice in Chhattisgarh, India

Effect of balance and imbalanced fertilization on soil physical Properties, nutrient uptake, growth and yield of rice in Chhattisgarh was studied under long-term fertilizer experiment during kharif 2019-20 at research farm of Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur (C.G.). The experiment comprised of different levels or doses of NPK fertilizers alone and in combination with zinc sulphate, farmyard manure (FYM), blue green algae (BGA) and green manuring (GM) was laid out in randomized block design with four replications and ten treatments viz. Control, 50% NPK, 100% NPK, 150% NPK, 100% NPK+ZnSO4@ 10kgha-1,100% NP, 100% N, 100% NPK + FYM @5t ha-1, 50% NPK+BGA@ 10kg ha-1 and 50% NPK + GM @40kg ha-1. The results showed that the physical properties like total porosity, gravimetric and volumetric moisture content, hydraulic conductivity, infiltration rate, water stable aggregates and mean weight diameter of the soil were increased, while the bulk density was reduced significantly with the 100% NPK FYM treatment over all other treatments. However, the use of imbalanced (100% N and 100% NP) fertilizer, super optimal (150% NPK) and sub optimal (50% NPK) rate of inorganic fertilizer as compared to the unfertilized control showed significant effect on the physical properties of soil. Integrated nutrient management practice including FYM and recommended dose of NPK showed as best treatment with respect to growth and yield parameters like plant height, no. of tillers and no. of grains as compare to other treatments. The grain (5065 kg ha-1) and straw (7075 kg ha-1) yield of rice was registered higher in 150% NPK treatment followed by 100% NPK FYM treatment (4855 kg ha-1 and 6565 kg ha-1) and lowest in control treatment (2350 kg ha-1 and 2680 kg ha-1).

Energy and Economic Efficiency of Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) under Upland Paddy Cultivation at High Elevations of North-East India

Background: The study looks at integrated nutrient treatments’ energy requirements and the link between energy input and output and economic benefits. The experiment was conducted during 2019 to 2020 to compare the energy budget and monetary returns under INM modules in upland paddy. Methods: A total of 12 organic, inorganic and INM modules were evaluated employing randomised block design. Fertilizers, organic manures, bio-fertilizers viz., Azospirillum lipoferum, phosphorus solubilizing bacteria, potassium mobilizing bacteria, Glomus and zinc solubilizing bacteria were used. Result: Energy output and net energy were highest with INM treatments (T10 - 100% recommended doses of fertilizers (RDF) + Farm Yard Manure + Azospirillum lipoferum + PSB + KMB + Glomus + ZnSB), while energy use efficiency, energy productivity and energy efficiency ratio were highest in control (T1) in 2019 and in 2020 recorded the highest in T11 (Azospirillum lipoferum + PSB + KMB + Glomus + ZnSB). Other treatments, except T11 and T12 - FYM + Azospirillum lipoferum + PSB + KMB + Glomus + ZnSB, were at par. Although in T10 benefit cost ratio was lower than T9 (100% of RDF + Azospirillum lipoferum + PSB + KMB + Glomus + ZnSB), T10 produced maximum returns than other treatments. Due to its high returns, despite the need for non-renewable resources and low energy use efficiency, integration of various soil amendments were significant for maintaining production sustainability. However, long term experimentation needed to ascertain the overall benefit of INM practices in upland paddy in hilly regions of North East India.

Influence of Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) Practices on Soil Quality Indicators and Indices Under Cotton (Gossypium Spp.) + Black Gram (Vigna Mungo (L.) Hepper) and Green Gram (Vigna Radiata (L.) R. Wilczek) + Rabi Sorghum (Sorghum Bicolor (L.) Moench) Inter Cropping Systems in Rainfed Vertisols of Western India

ABSTRACT A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of seven predominant integrated nutrient management (INM) practices on soil quality indicators and indices under two inter-cropping systems, namely cotton + black gram and green gram + rabi sorghum, at the All-India Coordinated Research Project for Dryland Agriculture (AICRPDA), Parbhani Center, located in Central and Western Maharashtra, India. The INM practices include F1: Farmyard Manure (FYM) @ 5 t ha−1; F2: Gliricidia @ 3t ha−1 (semi dried leaves + very soft upper twigs); F3: Recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF); F4: 25% RDF + FYM @ 2.5 t ha−1; F5: 25% RDF + Gliricidia @ 1.5 t ha−1 (semi dried leaves + very soft upper twigs); F6: Control with rotation and F7: Absolute control without rotation. The order of overall performance of the INM treatments, in terms of mean Soil Quality Index (SQI), across both the cropping systems studied was: F1 (2.59) > F4 (2.55) > F5 (2.52) > F2 (2.49) > F3 (2.40) > F6 (2.12) > F7 (2.04). In case of Cotton + black gram system, the predominant soil parameters which emerged as key soil quality indicator, along with their percent contribution toward soil quality index, were: organic C (21%), available Mn (21%), labile C (20%), dehydrogenase activity (DHA) (19%), pH (5%), available S (5%), mean weight diameter of soil aggregates (MWD) (5%) and available K (4%). However, in case of green gram + rabi sorghum system, labile C (24%), available K (23%), available Mn (23%), microbial biomass C (MBC) (21%) and available S (9%) were found to be the key soil quality indicators in the black soil under study. The common indicators for the two cropping systems studied under these Vertisol soils were: available K, available S, available Mn and Labile carbon (LC). Thus, these indicators assume great significance in managing the Vertisol soils under study. The methodology followed and the results of the present study will be immensely useful to different stakeholders in conducting such future studies and managing and improving soil quality under different inter-cropping systems in Vertisols.

Evaluation of zinc application methods and integrated nutrient management on variation in growth, yield and yield contributing factors in wheat

Zinc is an important micro nutrient and plays an important role in improving the crop growth and productivity. Intensive agricultural practices due to rise in population have accelerated the use of chemical fertilizers which resulted in depletion of soil fertility. In this regard, a 2 year field experiment was conducted at Agricultural Research Farm of Lovely Professional University during rabi season in 2021-2022 and 2022-23 to examine the effect of different zinc application methods and integrated nutrient management on growth, yield and yield contributing factors on wheat. Three types of zinc application methods along with various levels of integrated nutrient management approaches were used for the study. The results revealed that a significant interaction between zinc application methods and integrated nutrient management practices was observed with dry matter accumulation (g/m2), Leaf area index, spikes/m2, spike length (cm), number of grains per spike and grain yield of wheat crop. Maximum improvement in grain yield (5.5 t/ha) was obtained when soil+foliar application of zinc was combined with 75% recommended dose of fertilizer + 2.5 t/ha farm yard manure + Zinc solubilizing bacteria. Additionally, these studies need to be repeated at many locations with various agro-climatic circumstances.

Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management Practices on Growth and Yield of Chickpea under Different Chickpea-Based Cropping Systems in Western Rajasthan, India

A field experiment was carried out during rabi season of 2020-21 in Pearl millet – Chickpea, Clusterbean + Sesamum (6:2) - Chickpea system to study the effect of nutrient management practices ((1.) Recommended fertilizers (100% RDF) (2.) 75% RDF + 5 t FYM (3.) 75% RDF + 5 t FYM + Biofertilizers (4.) 50% RDF + 5 t FYM + Biofertilizers + Crop residue) on crop growth, yield attributes and yield of chickpea. The results of the study revealed that the integration of 75% of the Recommended Dose of Fertilizers (RDF) with farmyard manure (FYM) and biofertilizers (BF) significantly enhanced chickpea growth and yield. This improved plant height, dry matter accumulation, branch number, and pod count, reflecting the synergistic effect of combining organic and inorganic inputs. This approach not only boosted the seed yield by 22.11% compared to the 75% RDF + 5t FYM but also matched the performance of the 100% RDF, offering a more sustainable cultivation strategy. These findings underscore the importance of adopting integrated nutrient management practices in chickpea cultivation, particularly in the arid region of western Rajasthan. Such practices have the potential to improve crop performance, increase yields, and promote sustainable agriculture in the area.