Integrated Nutrient Management Treatments Research Articles

Productivity and Profitability of Fodder oat (Avena sativa L.) as Affected by Integrated Nutrient Management: A Review

Fodder oats (Avena sativa L.) is a valuable feed resource for livestock, providing high-quality forage rich in nutrients essential for animal health and productivity. This review summarizes the key components and benefits of integrated nutrient management in fodder oats cultivation. Organic inputs such as farmyard manure, compost, and green manure enhance soil quality while inorganic fertilizers provide essential macro and micronutrients necessary for robust crop growth and yield.Various researchers found that higher green and dry fodder yields were obtained with the application of Farmyard Manure @ 5 t/ha + 50 percent of the recommended dose of fertilizers (329.76- 518.32 q ha-1) and 75% RDF along with 2 t Poultry manure ha-1 (77.57- 91.31 q ha-1 ). While 75% recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF)+Zn + plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR)+residual farm yard manure (R-FYM) and 100%RDF + Zn + R-FYM significantly increased fodder quality traits- Crude protein (9.44-10.10%), ether extract (4.5-5%), total ash yield (33.8-34.6%), ADF and NDF. Uptake of N, K, P, S and Mn by oat crop was highest at 75% NPK+2.5t Vermicompost +10kg Mn+20kg S ha-1. Higher net returns per ha were obtained by integrated nutrient management treatment of FYM @ 5 t/ha + 50 percent of the recommended dose of fertilizers and the application of 75% RDF (60:40 NP) kg ha-1 along with 2 t poultry manure ha-1. Thus Integrated nutrient sources increased the yield and quality of fodder oat besides enhancing profitability.

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.

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 Crop Geometry, Fruit Thinning and Nutrient Management on Yield and Yield -related Attributes of Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus Thumb.)

The present experiment was carried out during 2020-21 and 2021-22 in Jorhat, Assam with the objective to optimize the planting density for maximum yield and yield related attributes. The experiment was laid out in factorial randomized block Design with 3 factors viz. spacing, fruit thinning and INM (Integrated nutrient management) with three replications and the data of individual years were subjected to pooled analysis. The spacing levels were D1 (2.5m x 2m), D2 (1.5m x 1m) and D3 (1mx 1m) where F1 (no thinning), F2 (Thinning up-to 1 fruits /primary vine) and F3 (Thinning up-to2 fruits/primary vine) were the fruit thinning levels. A total of 4 INM treatments were given i.e. N1 (100% RDF), N2 (50% RDF + 50% RDN through FYM), N3 (50% RDF + 50% RDN through vermicompost) and N4 (50% RDF + 25% RDN through vermicompost + 25% RDN through FYM). The treatments significantly influenced the various parameters except a few. The experiment's findings showed that thinning the fruit and increasing the spacing between them had a favorable effect on the watermelon's growth and yield-related characteristics. Additionally, integrated nutrient management and fruit thinning at level F2 enhanced the watermelon's growth, yield, and quality metrics. Among the levels, N3 (50% RDF + 50% RDN through vemicompost was found to be the best.

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.

Influence of 36 years of integrated nutrient management on soil carbon sequestration, environmental footprint and agronomic productivity of wheat under rice-wheat cropping system

A long-term field experiment was conducted to study the effects of different combinations of integrated nutrient management (INM) on carbon sequestration and wheat yield in a rice-wheat cropping system. The experiment consisted of 11 treatments that were replicated three times. The organic manures used in the study included farmyard manure (FYM), wheat straw (WS), and green manure (GM) with Sesbania aculeata. The results of the experiment revealed that the application of 50% of the recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) along with 50% nitrogen (N) through FYM during rice cultivation, and RDF during wheat cultivation, led to a significant increase in soil organic carbon (SOC). Specifically, the SOC content was enhanced by 46.4% (18.29 Mg ha-1) compared to RDF in rice and wheat, resulting in a C sequestration rate of 0.22 Mg ha-1 year-1. These increases were higher in treatments that combined organic and inorganic inputs. Additionally, the application of 50% RDF and substituting 50% of the nitrogen with FYM during wheat cultivation resulted in a 24.7% increase in grain yield compared to RDF in rice and wheat. The INM treatments, showed significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher agronomic efficiency (AE) of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K), partial factor productivity (PFP) of N, P and K, and carbon pool index (CPI) compared to the application of inorganic fertilizers at the recommended dose. Moreover, the INM treatments also exhibited lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emission intensity. Application of neither chemical fertilizers nor organic manure (T1) resulted in maximum GHG emission intensity (328.1 kg CO2 eq Mg−1 yield). Based on these findings, it can be concluded that the combined use of inorganic fertilizers and organic manures significantly increased crop yield and soil organic carbon sequestration while reducing GHG emissions in a rice-wheat cropping system in the eastern Indo-Gangetic Plains (EIGP) of India.

Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management Practices on Soil Quality Indicators and Plant Growth in Greengram on Alfisol

A field experiment was conducted at farmer fields at Vagarai, Dindigul District (Tamil Nadu) during the summer season of 2022 with green gram as a test crop.A field experiment was conducted at farmer fields at Vagarai, Dindigul District during the summer season of 2022 with green gram as a test crop. The main objectives of the present study focus on studying the impact of Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) practices on soil quality indicators and the growth of green gram (Vigna radiata).Alfisols are a specific soil order found in various parts of the world, known for their natural fertility and suitability for agriculture. However, continuous cultivation and improper nutrient management can lead to soil degradation, nutrient depletion, and reduced crop productivity. To address these challenges, researchers are exploring the potential of INM practices, which involve the balanced use of organic and inorganic fertilizers, to improve soil health and optimize crop growth. The study aims to assess how various INM treatments impact soil quality indicators. These indicators may include soil organic matter content, nutrient levels (e.g., nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium), pH, and analyze how the different INM practices influence the growth and performance of greengram crops. Organic manures viz. Farm Yard Manure (FYM) and vermicompost on different combinations were evaluated in a Randomized Block Design with three replications viz. T1-Absolute control, T2 -Vermicompost alone @5 t ha-1, T3 -FYM alone @ 12.5 t ha-1, T4 -STCR - NPK alone -0.8 t/ha, T5 -STCR -NPK alone -1 t/ha, T 6 -STCR -NPK alone -1.2 t/ha, T7 -STCR -IPNS -0.8 t/ha, T8 -STCR -IPNS -1 t/ha, T9 -STCR -IPNS -1.2 t/ha, T10 -Blanket (100 % RDF), T11 -Blanket (25:50:25) + FYM@ 12.5t ha-1 and T12-Farmer’s practice. Evaluating the physical, chemical, and biological indicators, the integrated module of organic and inorganic fertilization reflected a significant improvement in soil characteristics such as the available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and soil biological characteristics encircling bacterial, fungal and actinomycetes count. The STCR -IPNS - 1.2 t ha-1 (T9) proved to be the best treatment in terms of SPAD chlorophyll meter reading, the maximum number of nodules (21.24, 30.49, 24.49 at 30, 45, and 60 DAS respectively), the highest grain yield (1225kg ha-1), and nutrient (N, P, K) availability. The population of Bacteria, fungi, and Actinomycetes (27.5, 9.8, and 27.1 soil respectively), was also significantly higher in STCR -IPNS - 1.2 t ha-1(T9). Thus, the combined application of manures and fertilizers can be recommended as a nutrient management strategy for yield enhancement and soil quality maintenance of green gram cultivation in soils of the southern Tamil Nadu region.

Growth Indices of Bt and Non Bt High Density Planted Cotton as Influenced by Integrated Nutrient Management Practices

A field experiment was conducted at College Farm, Agricultural College, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, during kharif 2019-20 and 2020-21 to study the effect of genotypes and integrated nutrient management practices on growth of HDPS cotton. Experiment was laid out in Split plot design, with two genotypes as main plots (M) and nine Integrated Nutrient Management practices as sub-plots (S). Among genotypes, Leaf Area Index (LAI), Absolute Growth Rate (AGR), Relative Growth Rate (RGR), Net Assimilation Rate (NAR) were recorded with Bt (KCH-14 K59 BG II) compared to Non-Bt (ADB-542) during kharif 2019-20 and 2020-21. Among integrated nutrient management treatments, significantly higher LAI, AGR, RGR, NAR were observed with 100% RDF + soil application Jeevamrutha @ 500 L ha-1 at 15 days interval up to harvest (S5) during both years and which was comparable with 100 % RDF + Foliar spray of Jeevamrutha @ 5% at 15 days interval up to harvest (S7) and 100 % RDF (S3), respectively. Finally, Bt cotton had recorded LAI, AGR, RGR, NAR than non Bt. Among integrated nutrient management practices, S5 had recorded maximum LAI, AGR, RGR, NAR.

Nutrient use efficiency indices as influenced by nutrient management practices under cotton-green gram intercropping system in vertisols

A field study was conducted during 2021-22 at the Research field of All India Coordinated Research Project for Dryland Agriculture (AICRPDA), Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, (Dr. PDKV) Akola, Maharashtra (India), on an ongoing long-term experiment initiated in 1987-88 under cotton + green gram (1:1) intercropping system in Vertisols. The eight treatments comprised of a control, sole use of organics and chemical fertilizers, and integration of organics with chemical fertilizers to partially substitute Nitrogen (N). The results after 35th cycle revealed that the uptake of N, Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K) was significantly higher in Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) treatments, particularly the treatments T6 and T7 where 50 percent N was substituted by either gliricidia or Farm Yard Manure (FYM). Further, the various parameters of nutrient use efficiency of N, P, and K were also found to be significantly higher in INM treatments followed by T2 (100% RDF). Therefore, the present investigation concludes that under the cotton + green gram intercropping system in Vertisols, INM that involves conjoint use of different nutrient sources appears to be a promising strategy for improvement in fertilizer use efficiency as a whole including Nutrient Use Efficiency (NUE).

Integrated nutrient management in pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum)–wheat (Triticum aestivum) cropping system

A field experiment was conducted during 2014–15 and 2015–16 at Swami Keshwanand Rajasthan Agriculture University, Bikaner, Rajasthan, to evaluate the effect of integrated nutrient management on yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and succeeding pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] crop. The experiment was laid out in a split-plot design with 3 replications comprising different treatment combinations. Incorporation of 75% recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) + 5 t farmyard manure (FYM)/ha + Azotobacter + phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) in wheat, significantly increased yield attributes and yield (4.12 t/ha) of wheat and uptake of nutrients (N, P, K) in both grain and straw of wheat, but remained at par with 100% RDF + 5 t FYM/ha + Azotobacter + PSB. The yield of succeeding pearl millet was significantly higher under all INM (integrated nutrient management) treatments applied in preceding wheat over the control and 100% RDF.

Response of Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) on Growth, Yield, and Nutrient use Efficiency of Wheat under Irrigated Conditions

To feed Pakistan's rapidly growing population, wheat productivity must be increased through balanced nutrition. Chemical fertilizer prices are rising and there is low nutrient use efficiency, as well as excessive or imbalanced use of chemical fertilizers. Integrated nutrient management treatments -the use of bio-fertilizer plus inorganic fertilizers-is a promising technology that not only increases crop yield, nutrient use efficiency. A field experiment was conducted at Naseerabad (Baluchistan) to assess the effect of (bio-fertilizer, inorganic fertilizers including Zn plus Boric Acid) on wheat crop production and nutrient use efficiency under irrigated conditions. A randomized complete block design was used to arrange the treatments (RCBD). Comprised with four treatments (INM NPK@120:9 0:60 kg/ha-1 Zn 5 kg, Boric acid 1 Kg/ha-1) FP treatment NP@75:50 kg/ha-1RDFtreatment.NPK,100.80.50 kg/ha-1and control treatment. This bio fertilizer plus chemical fertilizer significantly improves wheat growth parameters such as plant height, number of grains spiked, straw, and grain yield. Similarly, integrated nutrient management technology significantly increased N, P, K uptake in wheat grain content while increasing nutrient use efficiency. The highest grain yield was recorded (4.9 t/ha-1) in integrated nutrient management treatments with 120 kg N, 90 kg P, 60 kg K, 5 kg Zn, and 1 kg B ha-1 combined with bio-fertilizer plus farmyard manure. It resulted in a 25% increase over farmer practice (FP) and a 9% increase over the RDF treatment. The use of balance fertilizer in wheat resulted in significantly increased the wheat crop yield also improved agronomic parameters

Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management on Performance of Chickpea in Bundelkhand Region of North India

A field experiment was carried out on chickpea crop during Rabi season 2020-21. The experiments were conducted on heavy clay soil at Agriculture Research Farm, College of Agriculture, Banda University of Agriculture & Technology, Banda. The experimental design was randomized block design with eight integrated nutrient management treatments viz. farmer fertilizer practice (T1), 100 % RDF (T2), 100% RDF + FYM (T3), 100 % RDF + FYM + Zn (10 kg ha-1) (T4), 125 % RDF + FYM+ microbial inoculants (MI) (T5), 100 % RDF + FYM+MI (T6), 75% RDF + FYM+MI (T7) and 50 % RDF +FYM+MI (T8), all treatments were replicated thrice. The FYM was applied @ 2 t acre-1. The experimental results revealed that application of 125% and 100 % RDF along with FYM and microbial inoculants increased significantly nodule number, nodule weight per plant and number of pods per plant, thereby increased grain yield of chickpea significantly in comparison to farmers fertilizer practice (T1), sole application of 100 % RDF (T2) and 50 % reduction of RDF along with FYM and microbial inoculants (T8).

Influence of Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) on Biochemical Properties of Inceptisol of Surguja District of Chhattisgarh, India

The present experiment entitled “Influence of Integrated nutrient management (INM) on biochemical properties of Inceptisol of Surguja District of Chhattisgarh, India” was conducted during 2021-22 at village Sonwahi, Dist. Surguja. experiment out in a RBD with seven treatments i.e. T1-control, T2-50% RDF, T3-100% RDF, T4-150% RDF, T5-100% RDF + 5t/ha FYM, T6-50% RDF + 5t/ha FYM, and T7-50% RDF + 1.5t/ha The pH and EC (dSm-1) of soil doesn’t show any significant effect with different INM treatments. SOC (5.69 g kg-1) nitrogen (220.36 kg ha-1) available phosphorus and available potassium (45.81 kg ha-1, 245.42 kg ha-1,) 50% RD Field experiment that INM technique significantly influenced the activity of soil enzyme viz. dehydrogenase (48.34 µg TPF 24 hr-1 g-1), urease (40.07 μg NH4+- N g-1 soil h-1), acid phosphatase (72.93 µg p-nitrophenol g-1 hr-1) and alkaline phosphatase (45.14 µg p-nitrophenol g-1 hr-1) in 100% RDF + 5t/ha FYM (T5). The maximum bacterial load (201.00 x 107 CFU g-1) and fungal load (19.20 x 104 CFU g-1) recorded under 100% RDF + 5t/ha FYM.

Effect of Integrated Nitrogen Management Treatments on Growth Yield and Economics of Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill

Soybean, being an important pulse as well as oil seed needs special mention to overcome crisis in edible oil production in the country. It is also called as “Gold of soil”. An experiment was conducted at College of Agronomy Farm, B. A. College of Agriculture, Anand Agricultural University, Anand (Gujarat) during kharif (Soybean) and rabi (Amaranthus) season of the years 2019-20 and 2020-21. An agronomical investigation entitles effect of integrated nitrogen management in soybean and their residual effect on grain amaranthus under irrigated condition. The experiment soil was medium in organic carbon (0.40%), available phosphorus (36.20 kg/ha) and available potassium (209 kg/ha) with soil pH (8.15). There were ten integrated nutrient management treatments arranged in Randomized block design with four replications. Integrated used of the organic and inorganic sources of plant nutrients on growth and yield attributes is very crucial for the assurance of food securities. Different observation on the crop parameters were carried out during course of investigation. Integrated nitrogen managements did not exert any significant response on plant population recorded at 20 DAS and at harvest and plant height at 30 DAS. All growth and yield parameters viz., plant height at 60 DAS, plant height at harvest, number of branches/plant, root nodules/plant, dry weight of root nodules, seed yield and straw yield were recorded significantly higher with the application of 50% RDN through vermicompost + 50% RDN through inorganic fertilizer (T3) sustainable agricultural productivity might be due to achieved through wise used of integrated nutrient management. At present soybean is one of the most important economical crops and having good nutritional response on healthy diet and information of same cropping sequence was not available for farming community so planned study on the application of organic sources of nutrients viz., vermicompost, FYM, bio-fertilizers (Rhizobium + PSB) under middle Gujarat conditions.

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.

Effect on Integrated Nutrient Management on Productivity, Quality and Nutrient Uptake on Summer Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of integrated nutrient management on productivity, quality and nutrient uptake in summer groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) during summer 2018 at Dantiwada, Gujarat. The treatment consisted of ten different integrated nutrient management treatments practices. The integration of inorganic fertilizers along with seed inoculation of biofertilizers viz., Rhizobium and phosphates solubilising bacteria (PSB) recorded significantly higher pod and haulm yield of summer groundnut as compared to rest of the treatments. Combined application of 75 % recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) and 25 % RDN through vermicompost or farm yard manure (FYM) along with seed inoculation of Rhizobium and phosphates solubilising bacteria (PSB) recorded higher pod and haulm yield and also higher net returns and B- C ratio in summer groundnut.

Effect of integrated nutrient management (INM) practices on soil quality indicators and indices under sorghum (Sorghum bicolor(L.) Moench) + pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.) (4:2) and soybean (Glycine max (L) Merr) + pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.) in rainfed Vertisols of Western India

A field experiment was conducted at the research farm of the All-India Coordinated Research Project for Dryland Agriculture, Parbhani Center, located in Central and Western Maharashtra, India, to study the effect of 7 predominant integrated nutrient management (INM) practices viz., F1: FYM @ 5 t ha-1 ; F2: Gliricidia @ 3t ha-1 (semi dried); F3: Recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF); F4: 25% RDF + FYM @ 2.5 t ha-1 ; F5: 25% RDF + Gliricidia @ 1.5 t ha-1 ; F6: Control with rotation and F7: Absolute control without rotation, on soil quality indicators and indices under two inter-cropping systems viz.,i) sorghum + pigeon pea (4:2), and ii) soybean + pigeon pea (4:2). The effect of INM treatments on soil quality indicators and indices under these cropping systems was studied individually, and the common indicators were also identified among the two cropping systems and mean SQI (Soil Quality Index) and RSQI(Relative Soil Quality Indices) were computed. The common indicators among the two cropping systems emerged for these Vertisol soils were: available S, dehydrogenase assay (DHA), labile carbon (LC) and mean weight diameter (MWD) of soil aggregates. These indicators assume great significance in managing these Vertisol soils. The methodology followed and the results of the present study will be immensely useful to different stakeholders such as researchers, students, farmers, land managers and NGOs in managing and improving soil quality under different inter-cropping systems in Vertisols

Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management on Growth, Yield and Quality of Carrot (Daucus carota L.) cv. New Kuroda

The experiment entitled “Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management on Growth, Yield and Quality of Carrot (Daucus carota L.) cv. New Kuroda” was conducted during Rabi season of the year 2020-2021 on Department of Horticulture, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology, Prayagraj. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design comprising of 13 treatments each replicated three times. Treatments were randomly arranged in each replication, divided into thirty nine plots. The experiment was carried out with the thirteen integrated nutrient management treatments. Among the treatments, T11 FYM 10 t ha-1+Vermicompost 2.5t ha-1 + Biofertilizer (2 kg ha-1) 75% NPK registered significantly higher plant height (82.95), number of leaves per plant (14.66), root length (10.82), root diameter (3.42), fresh weight of root (67.01), dry weight of root (4.13), root yield plot-1(17.80kg), root yield (455.00q ha-1) and Total soluble solid (9.45 0Brix). Whereas the maximum benefit cost ratio (1: 5.24 & 5.29) was found in T10 and T12.

Effect of long-term nutrient management practices on soil health and paddy yield of rice-rice-fallow cropping system in tropic humid climate

Long-term repeated nutrient management practices may have impact on soil health and sustainable paddy (Oryza sativa) production. Therefore, a long-term (33 years) field experiment was conducted at Bangladesh Rice Research Institute in Gazipur with the objective of finding the impact of repeated inorganic and integrated nutrient management (INM) practices on soil biochemical properties, soil quality and its cumulative effect on paddy yield. Experiment was permanently laid out in a replicated complete block design with three replications and modern paddy varieties, BRRI dhan49 and BRRI dhan29, were grown in wet and dry seasons respectively. Treatments imposed were; balanced chemical fertilizer (BCF), K minus from BCF, P minus from BCF, N minus from BCF, Chemical fertilizer with 3 t ha−1 decomposed cowdung (CD), Chemical fertilizer with 2 t ha−1 decomposed poultry litter (PL) and Fertilizer control. The SOC decreased 8% due to 33 years BCF compared to initial soil and increased 18% in INM compared to BCF practice during last 10 years. Long term BCF practices did not bring significant changes in soil pH, however 0.09 units increased and 1.45% bulk density decreased in PL-INM practice. Urease and phosphatase activities, total bacteria, phosphate solubilizing bacteria, free-living N2 fixing bacteria, water stable aggregates, NH4+-N, available P, exchangeable K were increased in INM practices and between two INM treatments, PL was superior over CD. The highest SQI (0.93) and 10 years’ average paddy yield per season (4.99 t ha−1) was obtained in PL-INM followed by CD-INM (SQI, 0.80 and grain yield 4.12 t ha−1) and the lowest in the N minus from BCF practice (SQI, 0.16 and paddy yield 3.2 t ha−1) and control (SQI, 0.33 and paddy yield 2.9 t ha−1) treatment. SQI due BCF practice was 0.68 and average paddy yield was 4.36 t ha−1. The results of AreaSQI revealed that NH4–N, available P and enzyme activities are the most sensitive soil parameters that degraded due to different nutrient management practices. The study also proved that imbalance fertilizer application, especially removal of N nutrition, was the most detrimental for paddy soil quality and PL-INM treatment is the best nutrient management practice for maintenance of soil health in the hyperthermic vertic endoaquepts and tropical humid climate.

Meta-Analysis Approach to Measure the Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management on Crop Performance, Microbial Activity, and Carbon Stocks in Indian Soils

Cereal crop production gains under conventional agricultural systems in India have been declining in recent years because of inadequate management practices, creating a considerable concern. These activities were shown to deplete soil organic matter stocks, resulting in a decrease in microbial activity and soil organic carbon (SOC) content. Moreover, even with minimal use of organic sources in cultivated land, soil carbon status deteriorated, particularly in subtropical climates. Integrated nutrient management (INM), a modified farming method, has the potential to effectively utilize organic and inorganic resources, to improve the quality of soils and crops, and making farming more economically viable and sustainable. The aim of this study was to use meta-analysis to quantify the effects of INM on crop production, soil carbon, and microbial activity in Indian soils. During the years 1989–2018, data from various research studies in India, mainly on nutrient management in rice and wheat crops, were collected. Meta-Win 2.1 software was used to analyze the results, and significance was determined at p < 0.05. The results showed that the yield of rice and wheat was 1.4 and 4.9% more in INM than that in 100% NPK (N: nitrogen, P: phosphorous, and K: potassium), and that respective yields were comparatively higher in loamy soils (2.8%) and clayey soils (1.0%). The INM treatment increased SOC and microbial biomass carbon (MBC), resulting in improved overall soil quality. The SOC stock was increased by 23.8% in rice, 15.1% in wheat, 25.3% in loamy soils, and 14.4% in clayey soils in INM over 100% NPK. Microbial quotient (MQ) data showed significant trends between different management systems in both soil types, for example, INM > 100% NPK > No NPK. Due to more soil cracking and reduced aggregate stability in the rice field (greater short-term soil structural changes), the SOC stock loss in rice was higher than that in wheat. The CO2 equivalent emissions were 7.9 Mg ha−1 higher in no NPK (control) than in 100% NPK, and 16.4 Mg ha−1 higher in control than in INM. In other words, INM increased soil carbon sequestration by 2.3 Mg ha−1 as compared to using 100% NPK. Overall, the findings of this study show that INM could be a viable farming system mode in India for improving crop production, increasing soil carbon sequestration, and improving microbial activity while remaining economically and environmentally sustainable.