Effect of organic nutrient management practices on the production potential, nutrient uptake, soil quality, input-use efficiency and economics of mustard (Brassica juncea)

A field experiment was conducted during winter (rabi) season of 2004 - 08 to study the effect of 4 combinations of organic manures involving cattledung manure, poultry manure and vermicompost vis-a-vis recommended doses of fertilizers (60 kg N and 17.5 kg P/ha) and control on the production potential, soil quality and economics of mustard (Brassica juncea L. Czern & Coss.) in deep Vertisols of central India. Cattledung manure @ 4 tonnes/ha + poultry manure @ 2.0 tonnes/ha combination recorded significantly higher number of siliqua/plant (177.2) and seeds/siliqua (14.5) compared to both recommended dose of fertilizers and control. On an average, this combination of organic manures recorded the highest seed yield of Indian mustard (1 822 kg/ha) and oil content (38.44 %) compared to the recommended dose of fertilizers (1 775 kg/ha) and the control (1 064 kg/ha). Application of different combination of organic manures resulted in the higher uptake of nutrients, soil organic carbon, available soil N, P, K and soil biological parameters (dehydrogenase, phosphatase and microbial biomass carbon) compared to either recommended dose of fertilizers or control. However soil bulk density and mean weight diameter were not affected due to nutrient management practices. Agronomic nitrogen-use efficiency (12.63 kg grain/kg nutrient applied) and field water-use efficiency (8.28 kg grain/mm of water applied) were the highest in cattledung manure + poultry manure combination of organic manures. Highest gross returns (Rs 30 352), net returns (Rs 21 552) and benefit: cost ratio (3.44) was recorded in the treatment receiving cattledung manure + poultry manure combination.