Integrated Nutrient Management Practices Research Articles

Weed Dynamics, Productivity and Profitability of Transplanted Aman Rice as Influenced by Integrated Nutrient Management and Weeding Regime

The excessive and improper application of fertilizers is the key factor contributing to nutrient losses to the environment and a decrease in the fertility of the soil. Also, using the wrong herbicide, applying higher than the recommended rate, or improper timing of application can cause crop damage. These factors adversely affect soil productivity and environmental stability. There is thus a need to expand an effective and inexpensive integrated nutrient management and weed control practice for acquiring better yields and profit from rice. The aim of the study was to find out the effect of six integrated nutrient management i.e., BRRI Recommended Dose (RD) of chemical fertilizer, 50% RD + 5 t of cowdung ha-1, 50% RD + 10 t of cowdung ha-1, 50% RD + 2.5 t of poultry manure ha-1, 50% RD + 5 t of poultry manure ha-1, USG 1.8 g 4 hills-1 + TSP, MoP, Gypsum and ZnSO4 @RD along with four weeding regimes i.e., control (no weeding), pre-emergence herbicide followed by one hand weeding at 30 DAT, early post-emergence herbicide followed by one hand weeding at 30 DAT, pre-emergence herbicide followed by early post-emergence herbicide on weed control, rice productiveness, and profitability. Our findings suggest that the application of 50% of the RD of chemical fertilizer + 5 t of poultry manure ha-1 with the application of pre-emergence herbicide followed by early post-emergence herbicide enhances weed suppression and provides higher rice productivity and profitability and can be practiced for the maximization of the yield and net return of transplanted aman rice.

Response of Super Early Pigeonpea to Varied Sowing Windows and Integrated Nutrient Management in Southern Telangana Zone

The field experiments were conducted during kharif seasons (July–November) 2018 to determine the physiological, yield parameters and yield of super early pigeonpea under different sowing windows and with integrated nutrient management practices at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Palem, Telangana, India situated at 16˚ 51’ N Latitude and 78º25’ E Longitude with an average Altitude of 478 m above the mean sea level of Southern Telangana Zone of Telangana State, India. The experiment was laid out in strip plot design for pigeonpea with 3 main treatments i.e., (M1)1st July, (M2)20th July and (M3) 10th August sowings and four integrated nutrient management practices as sub treatments viz.S1: 75% RDF, S2:75% RDF+FYM enriched with microbial consortia (1 t ha-1), S3:100% RDFand S4:100% RDF+FYM enriched with microbial consortia (1 t ha-1) and replicated thrice. The findings of two years of field study revealed that, among the three sowing dates in main treatments, 1st July (M1) recorded a greater number of days to 50% flowering and 75% pod maturity of SEPP. Similar trend in the CGR, RGR, yield parameters and yield except 1000 seed weight of SEPP was noticed superior with 10th August sowing (M3) compared to other two sowing dates viz. July 1st and July 20th. The sub treatment containing INM practices revealed higher values of physiological, yield parameters and yield with application 100% RDF+FYM enriched with microbial consortia @ 1 t ha-1 (S4) compared to other INM practices.

Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management Practices on Available Nutrient Status of Soil under Rice-Sorghum Cropping System in Clay Loamy Soils

A field experiment was conducted for two consecutive years 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 on clay loam soil at Agricultural College Farm, Bapatla to study the direct and residual effect of integrated use of organics and inorganics on soil nutrient status under rice-sorghum cropping system. The results revealed that at all the growth stages of rice, the highest available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium were recorded with the application of 100% RDF + 25% N through GLM (T8) and this was on par with T9 (100% RDF + 12.5% N through FYM + 12.5% N through GLM), T3 (125% RDF through inorganic fertilizers) and T7 (100% RDF + 25% N through FYM, whereas the highest available sulphur was recorded in 100% RDF + 25% N through GLM (T8) and it was on par with T9 (100% RDF + 12.5% N through FYM + 12.5% N through GLM) and T7 (100% RDF + 25% N through FYM during 2020 and 2021. In succeeding sorghum, significantly highest soil available N, P2O5, K2O and sulphur were recorded in T9 (100% RDF + 12.5% N through FYM + 12.5% N through GLM) and it was on par with T8 (100% RDF + 25% N through GLM) and T7 (100% RDF + 25% N through FYM) during both the years of study. Irrespective of the treatments applied to rice crop, the sub plot that received 100% RDF (S3) in rabi recorded significantly highest soil available nutrients at all stages of crop which was on par with 75% RDF (S2) except available sulphur whereas increased NPK levels from 75% RDF (S2) to 100% RDF(S3) did not show any significant difference and lowest was recorded in control (S1) during both the years of study, respectively.

Integrated Nutrient Management in Different Cereal based Cropping Sequences: A Statistical Perspective

Background: In this study, the impact of integrated nutrient management practice in cereal based cropping sequence has been examined. A detail study about the impact of INM in the above cropping system for last 8 years has been carried out. Method: On-station research experiments were conducted at Karjat centre of district Raigad of Maharashtra, under the ICAR-Indian Institute of Farming Systems Research, Modipuram, Meerut of ICAR-All India Co-ordinated Research Project during the years 2010-11 to 2017-18 on integrated nutrient supply (INM) system in rice – rice (Oryza sativa L.) cropping system at Karjat. Result: 100% recommended NPK dose through fertilizers was identified as the best INM practice at Karjat during kharif season. A detail study about the impact of INM in the above cropping system for last 8 years has been carried out and presented in tabular as well as graphical view both.

Soybean response to contrasting tillage and nutrient management under vertisolic soil

A field investigation on “Soybean response to contrasting tillage and nutrient management under vertisolic soil” to study the impact of tillage and nutrient management on soybean and to assess the physicochemical properties of soil under vertisolic soil. The trial was conducted at the Department of Agronomy, Dr. PDKV, Akola during 2019-20. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with five main plot and three sub plot treatments replicated for three times. The main plot treatments were constituted of five tillage practices viz. (1) Conservation tillage (CnT), Minimum tillage (MT), Subsoil tillage (ST), Roto Tillage (RT) and Conventional Tillage (CvT). Sub plot treatments were comprised of three nutrient management i.e.100% RDF (100 RDF), 75% RDF + 2 t ha-1 FYM (75RDF) and 50% RDF + 4 t ha-1 FYM (50RDF). The other cultural practices were kept common, as recommended. Results shows that, on a clayey soil with subsoil tillage exhibited better growth and yield attributes and recorded significantly higher seed yield. Nutrient management with 100% RDF (30:75:30 NPK kg/ha), being comparable to 75RDF, resulted in higher growth and yield attributes and seed yield of soybean whereas 50%RDF + 4 t ha-1 FYM. Improvement in soil physical properties viz., soil moisture content, porosity, mean weight diameter, rate of infiltration, Hydraulic conductivity was observed with subsoil tillage practice and 50RDF integrated nutrient management practices. Significantly higher gross monetary returns and net monetary returns along with maximum benefit: cost ratio were obtained with subsoil tillage. Application of 100% RDF recorded significantly higher gross monetary returns and net monetary returns along with maximum benefit: cost ratio. In terms of energetic values, subsoil tillage practice and nutrient management with 100% RDF recorded higher energy output and energy balance, however conservation tillage practice recorded maximum energy balance per unit input and higher energy output: input ratio.

Effect of Cropping Systems and Integrated Nutrient Management on Growth and Yield of Coconut in Littoral Sand

An experiment was carried out in a 38 years old coconut plantation of Sakhigopal Local Tall variety at All India Coordinated Research Project on palms, Konark (OUAT) during July 2017 to June 2019. The treatments comprised of three cropping system and three integrated nutrient management practices. The experiment was laid out in a Split Plot Design with three replications. The studies revealed that adoption of cropping system of coconut + sapota + pineapple with application of green manuring + biofertilizers + organic recycling + soil test based nutrients NPK (chemical fertilizers) application significantly increase the number of female flowers (245.83/palm/year), nut yield (65.21/palms/year), weight of whole nut (1206.54 g), weight of dehusked nut (603.01 g), kernel weight (293.41 g) and copra weight (168.33 g). Similarly minimum number of female flowers, nut yield, kernel weight and copra weight were recorded in treatment combination of monocrop of coconut with green manuring + biofertilizers + organic recycling. The study indicated that cropping coconut + sapota + pineapple cropping system with organic and soil test based nutrients NPK are suitable for better growth and development of coconut.

Date of Planting, Spacing and Integrated Nutrient Management Practices Improves Soil Microbial Populations and Soil Fertility Status Under Rice -Arhar Cropping System in Acidic Soils of Eastern India

ABSTRACT Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is a nutrient-exhausting crop, sustainable productivity of rice based cropping system can be achieved through appropriate nutrient management and crop diversification through incorporation of pulse into this system. Considering the above facts, a field experiment on rice-arhar system was conducted for two consecutive years (2018 and 2019) during kharif seasons at the Agronomy research Farm of Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar having sub-humid climate with two date of planting, three nutrient management and three row spacing. Soil physico-chemical properties like N, soil organic carbon (SOC) was found higher with earlier planting, soil-test-based fertilizer Recommendation (STBFR) + Farmyard Manure (FYM) in rice and 30 cm row spacing in arhar. The system nutrient uptake of 219.76 kg N ha−1, 38.25 kg P ha−1 and 197.29 kg K ha−1 and microbial activities in terms of dehydrogenase activity (DHA) (241.9 mg TPF g−1 soil 24 hr−1), alkaline phosphatase activity (APA) (376.7 mg p-nitrophenol kg−1 soil 1 h−1), microbial biomass Carbon (MBC) (260.3 μg g−1 of dry soil), microbial biomass nitrogen (MBN) (93.7 μg N g−1 soil) was registered with earlier planting, STBFR + FYM in rice and 30 cm row spacing in arhar. Higher positive N and K balance over initial (actual balance) in rice-arhar cropping system was observed in the treatment fertilized with both organic and inorganic sources of nutrients.

Impact of integrated nutrient management in increasing the yield of rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Rice is the major staple food of Asia. Non-judicious and imbalanced application of chemical fertilizers not only depletes the native soil nutrient reserve but also causes severe environmental damages viz. greenhouse gas emission, acidification, eutrophication, etc., posing a serious threat to sustainability of rice production. Integrated application of organic manures and chemical fertilizer could be the best option to overcome the adverse impacts associated with the use of chemical fertilizer alone. Hence, the complimentary role of organics as supplements to chemical fertilizers is important for keeping the soil health in order to harness the potential yield in rice. Therefore, field experiment was conducted at Experimental Farm, Department of Agronomy, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar during the cropping year of 2020-21 to find out the effect of integrated nutrient management involving inorganic manures along with organic manures viz., vermicompost, pressmud compost, poultry manure compost, goat manure compost, coirpith compost, bone sludge compost and sewage sludge compost on the growth and yield of rice. The results of the experiment revealed that among the integrated nutrient management practices, application of vermicompost @ 5 t/ha along with 100% recommended dose of fertilizers (T2) excelled all treatments and gave significantly higher grain yield of 5792 kg/ha when compared to other treatments. Considering the results of the present investigation, it can be concluded that integrated application of vermicompost @ 5 t/ha along with 100% recommended dose of NPK registered highest values in growth parameters, yield attributes and yield of rice.

Influence of nutrient-management practices on crop-growth indices, soil fertility and yield of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum)–gobhi sarson (Brassica napus subspecies napus) cropping system under north-west Himalayan region

A field experiment was conducted during the rainy (kharif) and winter (rabi) seasons of 2015–16 and 2016–17 at Research Farm, Advanced Centre for Rainfed Agriculture, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu, Rakh Dhiansar, J&K, UT to study the effect of integrated nutrient-management practices on growth and yield of pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.]–gobhi sarson (Brassica napus subspecies napus) cropping system under rainfed conditions. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with 3 replications and 8 treatments. The treatments were applied in the kharif season and the residual effects studied in the rabi season. Application of 100% NPK (inorganic) resulted in statistically higher grain and stover yields of pearl millet, being 79.6 and 53.9% higher than control respectively. Among the integrated nutrient management (INM) treatments, 75% N (inorganic) + 25% N (vermicompost) showed significantly higher grain and stover yields, followed by statistically similar treatment 50% N (inorganic) + 50% N (vermicompost) and 75% N (inorganic) + 25% N (FYM). In gobhi sarson, treatment 100% N (vermicompost) applied in pearl millet crop resulted in statistically higher grain and stover yields which was statistically similar with treatment 100% N (FYM). The highest nutrient-use efficiency, recovery efficiency, factor productivity for applied N value and agronomic efficiency were recorded in 100% NPK (inorganic) which was followed by 75% N inorganic + 25% N (vermicompost); however, the lowest values of these indices were observed in 100% N (FYM).

Soil Fertility, Growth, Yield and Root Quality of Radish (Raphanus sativus L.) as Influenced by Integrated Nutrient Management Practices

ABSTRACT Radish is a popular root vegetable grown worldwide and young fresh tender tuberous roots can be cooked or eaten raw in salads. The haphazard use of inorganic fertilizers for long period deteriorates fertility and productivity of soil. Therefore, this study was proposed for an extensive evaluation of different combinations of organic manure, bio fertilizer with inorganic fertilizers and influence on growth, yield, quality, and soil health. This study was carried out on radish cv. Japanese white with 13 treatment combinations in randomized block design with three replications. Soil quality was increased in terms of availability of N(Nitrogen), P (Phosphorus) and K (Potassium) to the tune of 15.17, 18.66 and 13.0%, respectively by integrated module 90% RDF (Recommended dose of fertilizers) + 10% SMC (Spent Mushroom Compost) + FYM (Farm Yard Manure) + AZB (Azotobacter) + PSB (Phosphate Solubilising Bacteria). Application of 90% Recommended dose of Fertilizers +10% Spent Mushroom Compost + Farm Yard Manure + Azotobacter + Phosphate Solubilising Bacteriarecorded maximum number of leaves (15.68), leaf size (21.01 x 9.88 cm), root size (18.80 x 2.86 cm), root weight (130.42 g), root yield (341.68q/ha) while, 60% Recommended dose of fertilizers +40% Spent Mushroom Compost+ Farm Yard Manure + Azotobacter + Phosphate Solubilising Bacteria proved best for quality attributes. Increase in yield under T6 was to the tune 11.44% over standard practices. Our findings of integrated nutrient management approaches may effectively address the present notion of “farming for health” to maintain soil health for sustainable crop production.

Integrated nutrient management in maize (Zea mays) under different microclimatic regimes

A field experiment entitled was conducted during summer season of 2020 and 2021 at the research farm of Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, Assam with an objective to study the effect of microclimatic regime and integrated nutrient management in maize. The experiment was laid out in a split-plot design with 3 replications. Results revealed that among the different microclimatic regimes, crop sown on 15th March resulted in significantly higher values in almost all the growth characters, yield attributing characters, and yield as compared to other dates of sowing. Among the different integrated nutrient management practices, application of 75% of RDN through urea + 25% RDN through enriched compost (N4) recorded significantly higher value in respect of growth parameters, yield attributing characters and cob yield as compared to RDF, but remain at par with 75% of RDN through urea + 25% RDN through vermicompost (N2).

Effect of integrated nutrient management practices on productivity of blackgram (Vigna mungo)

A field study was carried out at Chatabara village, Institute of Agricultural Sciences (IAS), Siksha “O” Anusandhan Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha during winter (rabi) season of 2019–20 to evaluate the effect of different INM practices on productivity, profitability and nutrient acquisition by blackgram. Results showed that INM with 100% RDF+ FYM (5 t/ha) + Nutri-priming with Mo and P (Ammonium molybdate 0.1% and 1% P solution of SSP) can be the best practice for the cultivation of blackgram under winter (rabi) season with an yield level of 741 kg/ha and net returns of 39.2 × 103 `/ha. However, for farmers convenience point of view, INM with RDF+5.0 t/ha of FYM can be the 2nd best practice for the cultivation of blackgram with an yield level of 687 kg/ha and net returns of 35.2 × 103 `/ha.

Integrated nutrient management practices affect the growth performance of aromatic fine rice varieties in Boro season

The experiment was conducted at the Agronomy Field Laboratory, Bangladesh Agricultural University during November 2016 to April 2017 to investigate the effect of nutrient management on the growth performance of some aromatic rice varieties in Boro season. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications considering two factors viz. varieties and nutrient management. This experiment consisted of three varieties viz., BRRI dhan50, Basmati and BRRI dhan63, and seven nutrient managements viz., poultry manure 5 t ha-1, recommended dose of chemical fertilizers (i.e. 250, 126, 120, 100 and 10 kg N-P-K-S-Zn, respectively ha-1), 25% less than recommended dose of chemical fertilizer + poultry manure @ 2.5 t ha-1, 50% less than recommended dose of chemical fertilizer + poultry manure @ 5 t ha-1, vermicompost @ 10 t ha-1, 25% less than recommended dose of chemical fertilizer + vermicompost @ 5 t ha-1 and 50% less than recommended dose of chemical fertilizer + vermicompost @ 10 t ha-1. The results revealed that variety, nutrient management and their interaction exerted significant influence on growth characters of aromatic fine rice in Boro season. The highest plant height (55.14 cm, 66.14 cm) at 70 and 85 DAT, dry matter hill-1 (15.39 g) at 85 DAT and chlorophyll content (39.29) at 55 DAT was recorded from BRRI dhan63. While, Basmati produced the highest leaf area index (0.60) at 60 DAT and the highest number of total tillers hill-1 (11.52, 10.81, 9.619) was obtained from BRRI dhan50 at 55, 70, 85 DAT. In case of nutrient management practices, 25% less than recommended dose of chemical fertilizer + vermicompost 5 t ha-1 produced the highest plant height (45.22cm, 55.22cm, 65.67 cm) at 55, 70, 85 DAT, leaf area index (0.70) at 60 DAT and chlorophyll content (41.56) at 55 DAT, respectively. Again, from the interaction, it was observed that all the growth parameters were significantly influenced and increased with suitable variety along with proper nutrient management. Therefore, from this study, it can be decided that BRRI dhan63 fertilized along with 25% less than recommended dose of chemical fertilizer + vermicompost 5 t ha-1 might be the best possible combination for proper growth of plant.

Nine Years of Integrated Nutrient Management Practices on Soil Microbial Activities in a Cereal-based Cropping System

The present work is a follow-up study to identify the effects of nine years long-term integrated nutrient management practices on soil microbial activities in a cereal-based cropping system which was initiated in 2010. The microbial activities like microbial population and enzyme activities were estimated at three different soil depths; 0-15 cm, 15-30 cm and 30-45 cm, in response to different treatment regimes of inorganic fertilizers, organic manures, biofertilizers, and lime. The results identified a decreasing trend in the microbial population and enzyme activity with increased soil depth. Of all the treatment regimes, the maximum enhancements of dehydrogenase and urease activities were observed when there was a combined application of lime with inorganics and organic manure. Additionally, this treatment also increased the bacterial population while decreasing the fungal and actinomycetes population in the soil. The increased soil microbial activities in this treatment can be attributed to the role of organic manures.

Impact of Integrated Nutrient Management Practices on Soil Biological Properties

Impact of Integrated Nutrient Management Practices on Soil Biological Properties

Effect of Nutrient Management and Rice Establishment Methods on Biochemical and Physiological Attributes, Yield and Economics of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) in Rice-Groundnut Cropping System in Coastal Odisha

A field experiment was conducted during 2019-20 and 2020-21 to study the effect of nutrient management and rice establishment methods on biochemical, physiological attributes, yield and economics of rice in rice–groundnut cropping system in coastal Odisha. The experimental field was laid out in factorial randomised block design during Kharif and in split-plot design during Rabi with three replications. Six treatment combinations comprising two rice establishment methods viz., direct seeded rice (DSR) and transplanted rice (TPR) and three nutrient management practices, viz., inorganic source, organic source and integrated nutrient management (INM) in rice during Kharif were allotted to the main-plots. Three nutrient management practices to groundnut viz., 75% soil test based fertiliser, STBF (inorganic), 100% STBF (inorganic) and INM during Rabi were allotted to the sub-plots. The results of the study revealed that DSR recorded significantly higher plant height, tillers m-2, leaf temperature, net returns (Rs. 39121 ha-1) and B:C ratio (1.68). The TPR was superior in terms of total chlorophyll content, dry matter production, panicles m-2, panicle weight, grains panicle-1, 1000-seed weight, leaf area index (LAI), light transmission ratio (LTR), relative growth rate (RGR) and net assimilation rate (NAR) resulting in yield improvement of 3.3% over DSR. The INM practice was superior to other nutrient management approaches in total chlorophyll content, dry matter production and its partitioning into panicle (62.5%), panicles m-2, grains panicle-1, 1000-seed weight, LAI and leaf temperature, which resulted in 13.3 and 15.2% higher grain yield than inorganic and organic source of nutrient management, respectively. The INM treatment also recorded higher plant height, tillers m-2, crop growth rate (CGR), net assimilation rate (NAR), relative growth rate (RGR), net returns (Rs. 56246 ha-1) and B:C ratio (1.89). Organic sources recorded higher NAR, RGR, panicle weight, but had the lowest dry matter accumulation and net returns.

Impact of Integrated Nutrient Management Practices on Soil Health Parameters and Yield Attributes of Soybean (Glycine max L.) var. JS-9560 in Inceptisol of Alluvial Soil, District Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh

A field trial was carried out during the Kharif season 2021-22 at the Research farm, of Naini Agriculture Institute Prayagraj India. The experiment was laid down in randomized block design comprised three fertility levels control NPK @ 100%, Rhizobium + PSB @ 100%, Vermicompost and Sulphur @ 100%, 75% and @ 50% respectively replicating thrice and rhizobium phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) inoculation. Among the fertility levels, the application of 100% N, P, K, 40 kg N ha-1, 60 kg P2O5 ha-1, 40 kg K2O ha-1 and 100% Vermicompost 5 t ha-1, Sulphur 20 kg ha-1 in the experiment. It was concluded that the texture of soil sandy loam, the soil health parameters respectively Bulk density ranged between 1.21 to 1.31 Mg m-3, Particle density 2.08 to 2.50 Mg m-3 Pore space 45.12% to 51.23% water holding capacity 36.14% to 62.06% Organic carbon 0.319% to 0.613%, soil pH ranged between 7.34 to 7.78, EC ranged between 0.157 to 0.265 dsm-1, Nitrogen 182.56 to 320.75 kg ha-1, Phosphorus 16.12 to 33.67 kg ha-1, Potassium 182.24 to 238.76 kg ha-1, Sulphur 16.03 to 29.58 mg kg-1, It was observed that for post-harvest, treatment T9 was best in yield attributes plant height 97.18 cm, number of branches plant-1 7.1, 5, pods plant-1 74.83, seed pod-14.44 and seed yield (2337.25 kg ha-1) T9 were to be found best treatment combination.

Assessing Soil Physical and Chemical Properties Under Long Term Fertilization After Forty-Eight Years in North-Western Himalayas

ABSTRACT The present investigation was carried out in an on-going long-term fertilizer experiment, initiated during 1972 at experimental farm of Department of Soil Science, Choudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishwavidyalaya Palampur, to study the long-term effect of fertilizers and amendments on soil physical and chemical properties in an acid Alfisol under maize–wheat cropping system. The experiment consisted of 11 treatments with 3 replications with randomized block design. The soil of the experimental site was silt loam and classified taxonomically as “Typic Hapludalf” (Subgroup). Long-term use of integrated nutrient management practices significantly improved the available Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium as compared to control. Effect of long-term application of inorganic fertilizers and amendments on soil chemical properties was studied. Soil organic carbon content was increased in 100% Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium + Farm Yard Manures applied plots. Application of inorganic fertilizers along with Farm Yard Manures increased the Mean weight diameter (MWD) and Geometric mean weight diameter (GMD) over control. The available Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium and Diethylenetriamine pentaacetate (DTPA) extractable micronutrients cation were optimum in 100% Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium + Farm Yard Manures applied treatments.

Integrated nutrient management improves productivity, profitability and quality of rainfed pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L. Mill sp.) in an alfisol of Eastern India

Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.) is grown globally for its protein rich seed. Low availability of soil nutrients adversely affects the seed yield of pigeonpea crop in alfisols (acidic soils). The present investigation was conducted to assess the effect of integrated nutrient management practices on productivity, profitability and quality of pigeonpea cultivation in the Eastern Ghat High Land Zone of Odisha, India. Field experiment was conducted for three consecutive kharif (rainy) seasons of 2015, 2016 and 2017 with seven treatments [absolute control, 100% recommended dose of NPK fertilizer (i.e., N:P2O5:K2O @ 25:50:50 kg ha−1), 100% NPK + lime @ 0.2 lime requirement or LR, 75% N + 100% PK + Rhizobium @ 20 g kg−1 as seed inoculation + PSB @ 5 kg ha−1 as soil application, 75% N + 100% PK + Rhizobium + PSB + lime, 50% N + 100% PK + Rhizobium + PSB, and 50% N + 100% PK + Rhizobium + PSB + lime], replicated thrice, taking pigeonpea cv. VL-Arhar-1 as test crop under a randomized block design. It was observed that productivity, quality and nutrient uptake of pigeonpea were higher in 75% N + 100% PK + Rhizobium + PSB + lime treated plots over other nutrient management treatments and absolute control treatment. Similarly, maximum gross return (Indian Rupees or INR 72,183 ha−1), net return (INR 49,118 ha−1) and benefit:cost ratio or B:C ratio (3.13) were recorded from combined application of 75% N + 100% PK, Rhizobium, PSB and lime treated plots.

Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management on Yield, Economics and Post-harvest Soil Properties of Sweet Corn Grown under Mid-Central Table Land Zone of Odisha

Sweet corn (Zea mays var. saccharata), popularly known as sugar corn or pole corn is a specialty maize having high sugar content at milk or early dough stage. As the corn is considered as an exhaustive crop, requires more nutrient, so integrated nutrient management practices play an important role in sustaining productivity of sweet corn. A field experiment was conducted during 2019 and 2020 in order to study the effect of integrated nutrient management on sweet corn yield and post harvest soil properties. Different growth parameters like plant height (206 cm), cob length (28.5 cm), cob girth (16.43 cm), no of seed rows per cob (18.80), no of grains per row (47.55) and green cob wt. (335.43g) were found highest in integrated package where bio fertilizer consortia, B and Zn were applied along with STD fertilization (T6). Total harvested yield of sweet corn including stover (2.58 to 2.98 t ha-1) and kernel (1.33 to 2.37t ha-1) varied from 3.91 to 5.35 t ha-1 in different treatments and was observed highest in T6 (5.35 t ha-1). Harvest index (44.29%), B: C ratio (3.15) and 1000 kernel weight (198.90 g) was also recorded highest in treatment T6. The post- harvest soil properties were also recorded highest in T6 where bio fertilizer consortia, B and Zn were applied along with STD fertilization in the INM package.