Evaluation of integrated nutrient management options in rice (Oryza sativa) wheat (Triticum aestivum) cropping system in reclaimed sodic land

Abstract

Nutrient management is one of the major problem of the sodic land due to low organic matter status and toxicity of sodium, which reduced the availability of other nutrients and affects the soil properties. A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the integrated nutrient management options in sodic soil at Shivali Village of C.S.A. Univer- sity of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur during 2005-06 and 2006-07. The physico-chemical properties of the soil were pH - 8.9, EC - 0.61 dS/m, organic carbon - 3.6 g/kg, CaCO -1.24%, GR-7.92 t/ha, sand-56%, silt- (2.5) (2.5) 3 28%, clay-16% (sandy loam), available N-156 kg/ha, available P-25.3 kg/ha, available K-235 kg/ha and available Zn-0.78 ppm. Results indicated that plant height, fertile tillers, biomass/hill, length of ear, test weight, grain and straw yield of rice (Oryza sativa L.) and wheat {Triticum aestivum (L.) emend. Fiori & Paol} significantly increased by application of fertilizer on the soil test basis in comparison to farmers practice. Further increased the yield and yield attributing characters when organic manures (FYM, pressmud and NADEP compost) added @ 5 t/ha with the recommended doses of fertilizers. Application of organic manure (FYM) integrated with recommended dose of fer- tilizers and biofertilizers (PSB + BGA/ Azotobacter) further increased the yield and yield attributing characters of rice and wheat which was similar to 125% recommended dose of fertilizers. The maximum grain yield of rice and wheat (5.46 and 3.57 t/ha) was recorded with application of NPKZn based on soil test + FYM @ 5 t/ha + PSB + BGA. Similar trends were also recorded in case of nutrient uptake. In case of microbial populations, maximum bacterial population (94.0 105/g soil) and Azotobacter (51.5 102/g soil) was recorded with application of NPK Zn based on soil test + FYM @ 5 t/ha + PSB + BGA and maximum PSB count (42.0 102/g soil) was recorded in with application NPK Zn based on soil test+PSB+BGA. The Actinomycetes population was not affected by the different treatments. Improvement in soil properties (pH, EC, OC) and soil fertility status (NPK and Zn) was recorded when chemical fertilizers were integrated with organic manures.