Impact of Integrated Nutrient Management on Nutrient Content, Nutrient Uptake, Protein Content and Grain Yield in Maize (Zea mays L.)-Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Cropping System in an Acid Alfisol

A field experiment was conducted for two consecutive years from kharif (2015) to rabi (2016-17) at the experimental farm of Department of Agronomy, Forages and Grassland Management, Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur. Experiment was laid out in randomized block design with three replications comprising seven treatments as applied to maize as main plot i.e. 50% nitrogen through FYM + 50% nitrogen through inorganic fertilizer (T1); 50% nitrogen through fortified vermicompost + 50% nitrogen through inorganic fertilizer (T2); 50% nitrogen through vermicompost + 50% nitrogen through inorganic fertilizer (T3); 25% nitrogen through FYM + 75% nitrogen through inorganic fertilizer (T4); 25% nitrogen through fortified vermicompost + 75% nitrogen through inorganic fertilizer (T5); 25% nitrogen through vermicompost + 75% nitrogen through inorganic fertilizer (T6) and recommended dose of NPK through inorganic fertilizer (T7); and three treatments to wheat i.e. 50% (recommended dose of NPK through inorganic fertilizers (F1); 75% RDF (F2) and 100% RDF (F3) as sub plots. Higher NPK uptake both in maize and wheat were recorded with combined application of organics and inorganics. Higher content and uptake of nitrogen was observed with 25% N through fortified vermicompost + 75% N through inorganic fertilizer (T5). However phosphorus and potassium content and uptake was higher in T7 treatment but being at par with T5. Residual effect on wheat content and uptake was non significant.