Influence of Integrated Nutrient Management on Yield and Soil Properties in Maize-Wheat Cropping System in an Alfisol of Jharkhand

A long-term experiment was conducted to develop integrated nutrient management system for maize-wheat cropping system in an Alfisol. Grain yield of maize, wheat and the system under 50% N through FYM + 50% through chemical fertilizers was significantly higher than that under 100% chemical fertilizers applied to both the crops and was on par with 25% N through FYM and 75% through inorganic source. Maximum N, P and K uptake values were recorded when 50% N was substituted by FYM in maize (114.6, 23.9 and 125.5 kg ha−1) and wheat (99.7, 18.1 and 89.8 kg ha−1) and maize-wheat system (214.3, 42.0 and 215.3 kg ha−1) followed by 25% N through FYM and remaining through inorganic source and minimum in control. The productivity, nutrient uptake and per cent response increased with the increase in the fertilizer level but the reverse trend was noted in case of agronomic efficiency and apparent N recovery per cent. The improvement of soil fertility observed with respect to organic carbon, available N, P, K, Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn was prominent with the application of 50% N through FYM and 50% RDF in maize and 100% RDF in wheat in maize-wheat system. The organic carbon, available N, P, K, Fe, Mn and Pb increased with increasing level of fertilizer whereas, pH, available Cu, Zn and Ni decreased. In general, availability of heavy metals in soil was noted in the order: Pb>Co>Ni>Cd. Fresh crop residue incorporation or green leaf application were less effective than well decomposed organic matter (FYM) in enhancing crop yield and soil fertility.