Impact of Continuous Manuring and Fertilization on Changes in Soil Quality under Sorghum-Wheat Sequence on a Vertisols Jadhao S.D.*, Mali D.V., Kharche V.K.1, Singh Muneshwar2, Bhoyar S.M., Kadu P.R., Wanjari R.H.2, Sonune B.A. Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola, 444104, Maharashtra 1Director of Research, Dr. PDKV, Akola, 444104, Maharashtra 2Indian Institute of Soil Science, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh *Corresponding author Email: sdjadhao@rediffmail.com
Online published on 27 August, 2019. Abstract A permanent long-term fertilizer experiment is continuing since 1988–89 at Research Farm, Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Akola, Maharashtra with a view to investigate the effect of integrated nutrient management on soil fertility, crop productivity and sustainability under sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.)-wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cropping sequence. The treatments comprised of different levels of recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) viz., 50, 75, 100 and 150% NPK and 100% NPK in combination with farmyard manure (FYM), FYM alone (5 t ha−1), 100% NPK devoid of S, 100% NPK along with S @ 37.5 kg ha−1 and Zn @ 2.5 kg ha−1, NP, N alone and control. The results indicated that application of 100% NPK + FYM @ 5 t ha−1 significantly increased the grain (4.61 t ha−1) and straw (11.05 t ha−1) yield of sorghum as well as grain (3.55 t ha−1) and straw (5.37 t ha−1) yield of wheat. The organic carbon status (7.91 g kg−1) and availability of N (317 kg ha−1), P (19.98 kg ha−1), K (473.2 kg ha−1) and Zn (0.96 mg kg−1) was improved with the conjoint use of organics and fertilizers. However, continuous use of 100% NPK along with S @ 37.5 kg ha−1 resulted in substantial improvement in S status of soil. Apparent nutrient balance implied build-up of N and P, whereas considerable mining of K was observed in the intensive sorghum-wheat cropping sequence. The nutrient uptake increased with P fertilization and showed further increase in the presence of K. The sustainable yield index (SYI) was relatively higher in 100% NPK + FYM @ 5 t ha−1 (0.471) followed by 150% NPK (0.465). The yield of sorghum and wheat was highlly correlated with soil organic carbon content. Top Keywords Soil quality, sorghum-wheat cropping sequence, sustainable yield index, organic carbon, nutrient status. Top |