Influence of long term fertilization on micronutrients availability, their uptake and productivity of sorghum-wheat sequence under semi-arid condition on a Vertisol

A study was conducted at Akola during 2007-08 to assess the long term effects of fertilizers and FYM on micronutrient status and crop productivity after 19th cycle of sorghum-wheat cropping sequence on Vertisol. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with 12 treatments and four replications. The treatments consisted were T1–50% NPK, T2–100% NPK, T3–150% NPK , T4–100% NPK (S free), T5–100% NPK+2.5 kg ZnSO4/ha, T6–100% NP, T7–100% N, T8–100% NPK+FYM @10 t/ha, T9–100% NPK S free+37.5 kg S/ha, T10–FYM @ 10 t/ha, T11–75% NPK and T12–Control. The results revealed that integrated application of chemical fertilizers (100% NPK) alongwith FYM @ 10 t/ha had significantly improved the availability and uptake of micronutrients (Zn, Fe, Mn and Cu) by sorghum and wheat. The highest sorghum and wheat yields also were recorded with the conjunctive use of 100% NPK alongwith FYM @ 10 t/ha followed by 150% NPK. The total productivity (sorghum+wheat) was found to be positively correlated with micronutrient status of soil.