Potassium and sulphur nutrition of crops with or without organic manure under jute (Corchorus-,olitonus)-rice (Oryza sativa)-rapeseed (Brassica caniP!e&) sequence

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during pre-rainy season, rainy season (kharif) and winter season (rabl) of 1994-95 and 1995-96 to evaluate the productivity of crops and fertility building of soil under jute (Corchoms olitorius L)- rice (Oryza sativa L.)-rapeseed [Brassica campestris L. ssp. oleifera (Metzger) Sisk. var. brown sarson] cropping sequence. The maximum fibre yield of jute and grain yield of rice were obtained when both jute and rice crops in sequence received both organic and inorganic sources of nutrients (N, P and K @ 40, 20 and 30 kglha for jute; and 60,30 and 30 kgha for rice and FYM @ 10 tonnes/ha for both the crops). However, the maximum yield of rapeseed was recorded when the crop was fertilized with elemental S along with N, P, K (N, P, K and S @ 80, 40, 40 and 20 kglha). The maximum uptake of nutrients (N,P, K and S) by jute and rice crops was recorded under the treatment comprising FYM along with N, P and K. However, in rapeseed, higher uptake of N, P, K and S was observed when the crop received balanced nutrition of N, P, K and S (either through elemental sulphur or calcium sulphate). The maximum inlprovement of N, P and K status of soil after the harvest of 6th crop in sequence was observed when organic manure was incorporated along with chemical fertilizers of N, P and K; whereas in case of sulphur the maximum improvement was noticed when all the crops in sequence were fertilized with elemental sulphur along with N, P and K.