Productivity, nutrient uptake and soil properties as influenced by integrated nutrient management in maize- wheat cropping system under rainfed conditions of sub- montane Punjab

In the present study, an attempt was made to assess the effect of integrated nutrient management in rainfed maize-wheat cropping system on productivity, nutrient uptake and soil properties. Field experiments were conducted for three years during 2014 to 2017 in a sandy loam soil at Regional Research Station, Punjab Agricultural University, Ballowal Saunkhri with nine treatments. Among different treatments, the treatment comprising 100% NPK through DAP + FYM @10 t ha-1 gave highest average grain yield (29.5 q ha-1 in maize and 26.1 q ha-1 in wheat), nitrogen uptake (31.3 kg ha-1 in maize grain and 24.8 kg ha-1 in wheat grain), phosphorus uptake (10.5 kg ha-1 in maize grain and 9.9 kg ha-1 in wheat grain) and potassium uptake (26.7 q ha-1 in maize grain and 22.3 q ha-1 in wheat grain), respectively. However, the net return (Rs 30,683 ha-1 year-1) and B:C ratio (1.55) was highest in the treatment 125%NPK followed by 100% NPK + ZnSO4 treatment (net return-Rs 29,966 ha-1 year1 and B:C ratio-1.55). In soil properties, the values of organic carbon (5.5 g kg-1), available phosphorus (37.2 kg ha-1), available potassium (205 kg ha-1) and microbial counts were highest in the treatment comprising of 100% NPK + FYM @10 t ha-1. Considering the positive effects on crop productivity and soil health, it can be concluded that integrated use of recommended 100%NPK through DAP with farmyard manure (10 t ha-1) is better nutrient management option under rainfed conditions of sub-montane Punjab.