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Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi
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ThesisItem Open Access Isolation, Screening of Lignocellulose Decomposer and Its Impact on Crop Residue Decomposition, Soil Properties and Yield of Crops(Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi, 2023) Shinde Reshma Bhausaheb; D.K. ShahiIn India, the top ten crops generating about 686 Mt of residues are estimated to hold the potential to supply 5.6 Mt of NPK nutrients to the soil. When left on the field, crop residues decompose into different organic substances through the action of various soil microbes over time. The isolation of native fast-degrading microbes from areas and their inoculation can potentially enhance crop residues' decomposition speed and nutrient release process. Considering this hypothesis, an experiment was conducted to study the isolation and screening of lignocellulose decomposer and its impact on crop residue decomposition, soil properties, and yield of crops at the research farm of ICAR-Research Complex for Eastern Region, FSRCHPR, Ranchi, India. Fifteen strains of fungi and six bacteria were isolated as pure colonies from various sources, out of which seven isolated microbial cultures (IMC) were identified as lignocellulose decomposers. IMC 18 and IMC 4 had shown higher enzyme activities for decomposing cellulose and lignin and were identified as Trichoderma viridi and Aspergillus niger. The efficiency of these strains was tested through on-field trials to establish them as potential lignocellulose decomposers. The field experiment was laid out in a factorial randomized block design (FRBD) with two factors, consisting of three crop residues [paddy (C1), black gram (C2), and ragi straw (C3)] and five microbial inoculation treatments [control (T1), A. niger (T2), T. viridi (T3), A. niger + (1%) nitrogen application (T4) and T. viridi + (1%) nitrogen application (T5)] for each crop residue. In total, there were fifteen treatment combinations with two replications each. The decomposition and nutrient release patterns of all three crop residues were studied using litter bag techniques. Among the three types of crop residues, black gram straw exhibited the highest decomposition rate, followed by paddy straw and ragi straw. In treatment T5, where microbial inoculation was applied, over 90% of black gram straw decomposed within six months of field placement, while for paddy and ragi straw, this occurred within eight and nine months, respectively. Contrastingly, in the control treatment (T1) without microbial inoculation, over 90% decomposition of black gram straw occurred in eight months, while for paddy and ragi straw, it took ten and eleven months, respectively. The highest decomposition t99 period of 23.25 months was observed for ragi straw in the control treatment, while the shortest t99 period of 10.55 months was noted for black gram straw in treatment T5. In treatments with microbial inoculation, decomposition rates were 8.5-25% higher compared to the control. The sequence of straw decomposition rates in the microbial treatments followed the order: control < T2 < T3 < T4 < T5. Furthermore, the release rates of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) were higher in the microbial-inoculated treatments compared to those without inoculation. N, P, and K release rates followed the order K > P > N. The application of crop residues led to an increase in available nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) in the soil. Treatment C1, involving paddy straw application at 5.0 t ha-1, exhibited the highest available N (264.0 kg ha-1) and P (34.0 kg ha-1). In contrast, treatment C3, with ragi straw at the same rate, showed the highest available K (337.3 kg ha-1). Among microbial treatments, the inoculation of Trichoderma culture with nitrogen supplementation (T5) resulted in a significant rise in available NPK (267.34, 35.99, and 340.73 kg ha-1, respectively) in the soil. Applying crop residues (paddy or ragi straw at 5.0 t ha-1) enhanced the yield of field pea, moong bean, and maize cropping systems by 5-12%. In microbial-inoculated treatments, notably higher grain yields were observed for field pea (4.21-11.7%), moong bean (4.35-11.6%), and maize (4.91-10.39%) compared to the control. Among microbial treatments, T5 demonstrated significantly higher grain yields (10.39-11.7%) and straw yields (7.37-19.67%) across all three crops. The present study illustrated that inoculation of Trichoderma and Aspergillus spp. culture, along with nitrogen supplementation, can be a practical approach for in situ residue management, leading to the proliferation of beneficial microorganisms that hasten the degradation process of crop residues. Adding crop residues (paddy or ragi straw @ 5.0 t ha-1) not only increased the yield of field pea, moong bean, and maize cropping system but also improved the other soil fertility parameters such as organic carbon, available NPK, DTPA-Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn content, soil microbial count and soil enzyme activity like dehydrogenase and FDA. These factors are necessary to achieve sustainable production and minimize soil nutrient depletion. The application of crop residues and inoculation of Trichoderma spp. or Aspergillus spp. and nitrogen supplementation has the potential of this environment-friendly technology for in situ straw management and nutrient sources in the low input cropping system.ThesisItem Open Access EFFICACY OF ZINC (Zn) AND SULPHUR (S) CONTAINING FERTILIZER ON PRODUCTIVITY AND PROFITABILITY OF WHEAT GROWN UNDER ACID SOIL OF JHARKHAND(Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi, 2023) Pooja Bharti; B. K. AgarwalA field experiment entitled “Efficacy of Zinc (Zn) and Sulphur (S) containing fertilizer on productivity and profitability of wheat grown under acid soil of Jharkhand” was conducted during Rabi 2021-22 at the experimental farm of Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi, Jharkhand with an objective to compare the performance of different sources of zinc and sulphur containing fertilizer on yield attributes, yield, economics of the wheat crop along with the translocation study of zinc and sulphur in different plant parts and their nutrient uptake. In addition, soil samples were analysed for changes in chemical properties of soil viz. soil reaction (pH), electrical conductivity (EC), organic carbon (OC), available N, available P, available K, available Zn and available S content. The experiment was laid out in Randomised Block Design (RBD) replicated thrice with seven treatments. The treatments were T1- 100% NPK (120: 60: 40), T2- 100% NPK + 1.5 kg Zn through Zinc Sulphate, T3- 100% NPK + 2.5 kg Zn through Zinc Sulphate, T4- 100% NPK + 5.0 kg Zn through Zinc Sulphate, T5- 100% NPK + 1.5 kg Zn through Techno-Z, T6- 100% NPK + 2.5 kg Zn through Techno-Z and T7- 100% NPK + 5.0 kg Zn through Techno-Z. The results revealed that maximum growth and yield attributes viz. no. of spikes/m2 (358.86), no. of grains/spike (48.39), 1000 grain weight (41.93 g), ear head length (11.55 cm) and ear head weight (4.53 g) were recorded at peak with treatment T7. Whereas, the treatment T3, T4 and T6 showed statistically at par results with T7 in case of all yield attributing characters. It was also observed that the highest grain yield (48.20 q ha-1 ), straw yield (73.42 q ha-1 ) and harvest index (39.64 %) was achieved with the treatment T7 and the treatment T3, T4 and T6 showed statistically at par results. However, the highest B:C ratio i.e., 2.32 was found with the treatment T4 whereas in case of T7 it was only 2.04. This was only because of the higher cost of Techno-Z in comparison to that of Zinc Sulphate. As far the study of Zn translocation was concerned, the data disclosed that the highest Zn content was in lower leaf as compared to that of middle leaf and upper leaf respectively. Whereas, among all the treatments, the highest Zn content was reported in treatment T7 in case of lower leaf. It had 48.38% and 55.90% higher Zn content as compared to middle leaf and lower leaf respectively. This implied the moderately immobile nature of Zn in plant system. In case of lower leaf and middle leaf the maximum Zn concentration was reported with the treatment T7 and in case of upper leaf the peak was found with the treatment T4. However, the highest Zn concentration in grains (46.5 mg kg-1 ), straw (62.9 mg kg-1 ) and husk (20.00 mg kg-1 ) was reported with the treatment T4. In case of sulphur, results showed that maximum S content was found in the lower leaf in comparison to middle leaf and upper leaf respectively. It was due to the immobile nature of S in plant parts. Whereas, among all the treatments, the highest S concentration was reported in treatment T7 in all plant parts. When compared to that of lower leaf the percentage decrease in sulphur content in case of middle leaf and upper leaf was 48.06% and 55.81% respectively for treatment T7. The highest concentration of sulphur in grain (0.193%), straw (0.114%), husk (0.061%) was recorded with the treatment T7. For grains, T7 showed 16.64% higher values than that of treatment T4. In case of soil, maximum reduction in pH in post- harvest soil was 0.09 and it was common for 5 treatments (T1, T3, T4, T6 and T7) and least reduction in pH was 0.02 for T5 treatment. There was hardly any change in the EC values in case of post-harvest soil due to application of different sources of Zn and S containing fertilizers. Whereas, organic carbon content decreased in the post- harvest soil and maximum reduction was 0.25 for treatment T4 and least reduction was 0.08 which was common for 3 treatments (T1, T3 and T7). The Nitrogen (N) content varied from 242.00 to 267.70 kg ha-1 and 231.50 to 263.50 kg ha-1 for pre-sowing and post- harvest soil respectively. Highest Available N (267.70 kg ha-1 ) was found with the treatment T4 at both the stages. The peak of phosphorus (P) content (32.72 kg ha-1 ) in soil at pre- sowing stage was noted down with treatment T6 and at post- harvest stage with the treatment T3 (31.88 kg ha-1 ). In case of potassium (K), the maximum concentration at both the stages was found with treatment T4. For, zinc the highest content at pre-sowing stage (0.72 mg kg-1 ) and post-harvest stage (1.04 mg kg-1 ) in soil was observed with treatment T4. Similar trend was reported in case of sulphur, the maximum concentration at both pre- sowing (9.72 mg kg-1 ) and post harvest soil (9.57 mg kg-1 ) was found with that of treatment T4.ThesisItem Open Access BORON (B) AND CALCIUM (Ca) NUTRITION ON GROUNDNUT-MUSTARD CROPPING SYSTEM IN RED AND LATERITIC SOIL OF JHARKHAND(Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi, 2022) Kumar, Jai Prakash; Agarwal, B.K.The soils of agro climatic sub zone IVth of VIIth ACZ (Hill and Plateau region) of Ranchi in Jharkhand is generally sandy loam in texture and acidic in reaction (more than 75 % of the total cultivated area). Due to high rainfall in mid hills, leaching of secondary and negatively charges micronutrients is a common incidence leading to frequent deficiency of the elements like calcium and boron in soil. Therefore, it is necessary to replenish these nutrients to obtain and sustained productivity of crops. In order to formulate the correct dose of boron and calcium for getting better growth and yield in small and scattered land holding of Plateau region, the present investigation has been carried out on “Boron and Calcium Nutrition on groundnut-mustard cropping system in red and lateritic soil of Jharkhand”. An experiment was conducted at research field of Department of Soil Science & Agricultural Chemistry, Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi, Jharkhand. The experiment consisted of four levels of calcium in the form of lime @ 0/0, 1/5, 1/10 and 1/15 LR in the main plot and four levels of boron in the form of borax @ 0.0, 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 kg B ha-1 in the sub-plot comprising sixteen treatment combination in split plot design (SPD) replicated thrice. Groundnut (Arachis hypogeal L.) [(var. Birsa Groundnut 4 (BG-4)] was grown and after crop harvest mustard (Brassica juncea L.) (var. Shivani) was grown as test crop in the cropping sequence. Results indicated that significant improvement in plant height, number of pegs and pods per plant of groundnut was observed in the treatments, where the plot received lime @ 1/5 LR followed by @ 1/10 LR and @1/15 LR in both years i.e., 2017 and 2018. The grain and straw yield significantly increased with increasing boron application and significantly higher value was observed in B3 (@ 3.0 kg B ha-1) followed by B2 (@ 2.0 kg B ha-1) and B1 (@ 1.0 kg B ha-1) during both the years. The significant improvement in growth and yield of groundnut was recorded in the treatment receiving boron application at the rate of 3.0 kg ha-1 and lime application @ 1/5 LR. In case of mustard, significantly higher number of branches and number of siliqua per plant was observed L1 at lime treatment (@ 1/5 LR) followed by L2 (@ 1/10 LR) and L3 (@1/15 LR) application during both years. The grain and straw yield of mustard significantly increased with increasing boron application and significantly higher value was observed with boron application B3 (@ 3.0 kg B ha-1) followed by B2 (@ 2.0 kg B ha-1) and B1 (@ 1.0 kg B ha-1) during both the years. The growth and yield of mustard improved significantly with boron was applied at the rate of 3.0 kg ha-1 along with lime application @ 1/5 LR. Abstract The results of leaching behaviour of boron in groundnut at 30 and 60 DAS groundnut indicated that increased leaching loss of B was observed among the treatments as compared to control but statistically significant effects were observed only at the 20 cm depth of soils. In case of mustard the leaching behaviour of boron at 30 DAS indicated that a significant effect was observed among the treatments over the control at different levels of depth (i.e., 20, 40 and 60 cm) of soil samples. Whereas, boron concentration was varied from 0.46 to 0.65 mg kg-1, 0.44 to 0.67 mg kg-1 and 0.41 to 0.66 mg kg-1 with their mean values of 0.58, 0.56 and 0.54 mg kg-1, respectively at 20cm, 40cm and 60 cm depth of soil samples. While significantly higher leaching behaviour of boron was observed in L2B3 followed by L3B3 and L1B3 over the control at the all levels of depths In case of lime application leaching behavior of exchangeable calcium at 30 and 60 DAS of groundnut showed a significant effect among the treatments at different depth (i.e., 20, 40 and 60 cm) of soil samples and significantly higher leaching behavior of exchangeable calcium was observed in L1 (@ 1/5 LR) followed by L2 (@ 1/10 LR) and L3 (@ 1/15 LR) over the control (L0). Among the plant parts the accumulation of boron was highest in leaf followed by stem and root. On the basis of results parameters, following conclusion has been drawn:- (i) The growth, yield attributes and yield of groundnut and mustard enhanced significantly with increasing dose of lime and boron up to 1/10th LR and 3.0 qha-1 application respectively. (ii) The leaching behaviour of exchangeable calcium and boron increased significantly with increase in dose of lime and boron application in both groundnut and mustard crop. (iii) The boron and calcium concentration in different plant parts of groundnut and mustard increased significantly with reducing the lime levels and increasing boron levels. The highest boron and calcium concentration in groundnut was recorded at flowering stage while in mustard crop, the highest boron and calcium was observed at siliqua stage. Among the different plant parts the leaf contained highest concentration of boron and calcium as compared to stem and root of groundnut and mustard.ThesisItem Open Access SOIL QUALITY ASSESSMENT UNDER LONG TERM FERTILIZER EXPERIMENT IN RED AND LATERITIC SOILS OF RANCHI(Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi, 2022) Verma, Shikha; Agrawal, B.K.An investigation was undertaken during 2018-19 on the soils of the ongoing long term fertilizer experiment (LTFE) in progress since 1972 at the experimental farm of Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Birsa Agricultural University, Kanke, Ranchi in Jharkhand state. The experiment consisted of ten treatments replicated thrice in a randomized block design i.e. T1:50% NPK, T2:100% NPK, T3: 150% NPK, T4: 100% NPK+ Hand weeding, T5: 100% NPK+Lime, T6: 100% NP, T7: 100% N, T8: 100% NPK+FYM, T9: 100% N(S)PK and T10: Control. Surface soil samples (0-15 cm) were collected during the soybean and wheat growth stages for analysis of moisture content, soil pH, soil organic carbon, available P and K. Surface (0-15 cm) and subsurface (15-30 cm) soil samples were collected after the harvest of wheat (2018-19) for analysis of various physical, chemical and biological properties for development of soil quality index (SQI). Sustainable yield index of the soybean wheat cropping system over the years of experimentation was calculated. System productivity was expressed in terms of mean wheat equivalent yield (WEY). Highest sustainable yield index (SYI) of the system (0.57) was recorded in 100% NPK+FYM treatment followed by 100% NPK + lime (0.50). The least value of SYI values was recorded 100% N treatment (0.04). System productivity in terms of mean WEY (q ha-1) over the years (1972-2019) followed the following order: 100% NPK+FYM (70.3) >100% NPK+Lime (67.0) > 150% NPK (58.5) > 100% NPK (57.8) =100% NPK +HW (57.8) > 50% NPK (44.5) > 100% NP (41.70) > 100% N(S)PK ( 35.3) >Control ( 16.5) > N (10.3). Amongst the soil properties analyzed at different crop growth stages, soil organic carbon, available P and K exhibited significant correlation with system productivity throughout the growing period of crops. Low variability (i.e. CV < 15%) was exhibited by all the soil measurements that were assessed during the crop growth stages (moisture content, soil pH, available P, available K and soil organic carbon). Among the various soil quality parameters (physical, chemical and biological), soil texture and DTPA-Pb showed no significant difference in both the soil depths and therefore dropped from principal component (PCA) analysis. The rest of the soil properties which showed significant difference among the treatments were subjected to principal component analysis (PCA) using the SPSS software to identify the minimum dataset (MDS) in order to compute soil quality index (SQI). The variables identified as the minimum dataset (MDS) indicators for development of soil quality index for surface soil (0-15cm) were: DHA, LOC, hot water soluble boron, soil pH and exchangeable Ca. The MDS indicators identified in case of subsurface soil layer (15-30 cm) were labile organic carbon, DHA, Hot water soluble boron, soil pH, exchangeable Ca and bulk density. 100% NPK+FYM recorded the maximum value of SQI followed by 100% NPK+Lime in both surface as well as subsurface soil layer. The SQI ranged from 0.00 to 2.21 and 0.00 to 2.10 in surface and subsurface soil layer, respectively. 100% N treatment recorded the lowest value of SQI (0.00) in both the soil depths. Percentage contribution of key soil quality indicators or MDS indicators for influencing SQI in the surface soil layer (0-15 cm) were: LOC (29.8%), DHA (28.4%), boron (21.9%), soil pH (14.8%) and Ca (5.0%). Percentage contribution of key soil quality indicators or MDS for influencing SQI in the subsurface soil layer (15-30 cm) were LOC (29.1%), DHA (27.25%), hot water soluble boron (20.41%), soil pH (16.02%), exchangeable Ca (5.13%) and bulk density (2.15%). The higher values of both sustainable yield index (SYI) and soil quality index (SQI) in 100% NPK+FYM and 100% NPK +Lime suggests that conjoint use of lime or FYM along with balanced NPK fertilizers are viable options for enhancing the productivity and sustainability of the soybean-wheat cropping system together with maintenance of soil quality in red and lateritic soils. Application of NPK fertilizer was found to be superior over imbalanced fertilization (N and NP) with respect to soil quality, system productivity and sustainability. All the soil chemical properties measured during crop growth stages (pH, available phosphorus, available K and soil organic carbon) responded consistently to management over time and hence their measurement at any time of crop growth can serve as an indicator to soil quality. Labile organic carbon, dehydrogenase activity, hot water soluble boron, soil pH, exchangeable Ca, soil pH and bulk density were identified as the key indicators of soil quality under soybean-wheat cropping system .ThesisItem Open Access IMPACT OF CROP RESIDUES AND NUTRIENT COMBINATIONS ON SOIL HEALTH AND PRODUCTIVITY UNDER MAIZE–WHEAT CROPPING SYSTEM(Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi, 2021) Minz, Asisan; Kumar, RakeshMaize-wheat is the third most important cropping system in India (1.8 m ha) and second most important in Jharkhand. Both the crops are fertilizer responsive and exhibit full yield potential when supplied with adequate quantities of nutrients at proper time. But poor economic resources of the Jharkhand farmers compel to go for imbalance fertilizer use leading to deterioration of soil fertility and crop productivity. Considering this fact, an experiment was conducted in farm area of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi, during the year 2016-17 & 2017-18 to study the ―Impact of Crop Residues and Nutrient Combinations on Soil Health and Productivity under Maize – Wheat Cropping System‖. Plant samples were collected at different growth stages of crops viz., maize-V4, V10 and at harvest &wheat-CRI, PI and at harvest. Soil samples at two depths 0-15 and 15-30 cm were collected at different growth stages of crops for analysis physico-chemical and biochemical properties (pH, total N, organic carbon, available N, P&K, soil microbial population and enzymatic activities). The treatments comprised of two levels of crop residues i.e., with crop residues and withoutcrop residues along with five levels nutrient combinations i.e., T1 - ample NPK (250: 120: 120 kg/ha), T2 - omission of N with full P and K (-N = 0: 120: 120 NPK kg/ha), T3 - omission of P with full N and K ( -P = 250: 0: 120 NPK kg/ha), T4 - omission of K with full N and P (-K = 250: 120: 0 NPK kg/ha) & T5 - SSNM (200: 90: 100 NPK kg/ha) for maize in kharif season. The corresponding treatments for wheat in rabi season were (T1= NPK) 150: 110: 100 kg/ha, (T2 = -N) 0: 110: 100 NPK kg/ha, (T3 = -P) 150: 0: 100 NPK kg/ha, (T4 = -K) 150: 110: 0 NPK kg/ha and (T5 = SSNM) 120: 70: 60 NPK kg/ha. The experiment was replicated four times in Randomized Block Design (RBD). The experiments were initiated in the year 2009 and modified during 2011-12, with above mentioned treatments. The available N, P, K and organic carbon before starting experiment (2009) was 182.43, 13.40, 133.52 kg/ha, and 3.80 g/kg, respectively, with pH 5.53. The experiment continued to the initial physico-chemical properties were evaluated before present studies i.e., 2015 with pH 5.35-5.73, available N (173.11-201.34 kg/ha), P (12.36-31.10 kg/ha), K (108.44-218.72 kg/ha) and organic carbon (3.90-4.10 g/kg). The result showed that with crop residues incorporation, maximum grain yield of both maize and wheat recorded under NPK treated plot with crop residue (75.76 and 51.48 q/ha, respectively) was higher as compare to nutrient omission plots, and followed by SSNM (65.35 and 49.14 q/ha for maize and wheat crops, respectively). However, with respect to system yield, NPK was higher than the SSNM treatment. Reduction in system yield was highest in N omission plots (112%) followed by P (62%) and K omitted plot (27%) with incorporation of crop residues, whereas, without incorporation of crop residue followed the order N (98%), P (47%) and K (33%). Nutrient concentration, uptake and total uptake varied with the treatments, maximum N, P and K uptake were found with the application of NPK under maize-wheat cropping system with incorporation of crop residue. Omission of nutrients influenced the fertility of soil with respect to soil organic carbon and available N, P and K values, which were maximum under application of NPK along with crop residues. Highest microbial count for bacteria (81.88 x 106 /g soil), Fungi (99.50 x 104 and Actinomycetes (12.50 x106 /g soil), were recorded for treatment which received crop residue along with NPK fertilizers, at peak growth period (V10 stage) of maize crop. Similarly under wheat crop‘s soil sample the maximum count for bacteria (67.88 x 106 /g soil), Fungi (78.75 x 104 and Actinomycetes (12.25 x106 /g soil), were registered at PI stage of wheat under NPK + crop residue treatment. The urease enzyme activity varied from (0.13 to 0.37 μg urea hydrolysed g/ soil /hr) and (0.11 to 0.32 μg urea hydrolysed g/ soil /hr), dehydrogenase activity (13.12 to 47.92 μg TPF /g/d) and (8.43 to 43.54 μg TPF /g/d) and concentration of acid phosphatase (70.65 to 221.66 μg p–nitrophenol /g/d) and (60.53 to 199.92 μg p–nitrophenol /g/d) with and without incorporation of crop residues, respectively, in maize crop. The highest status of urease activity (0.33 μg urea hydrolysed g/ soil /hr) and dehydrogenase activity (46.76 μg TPF /g/d) at PI stage of wheat crop, under treatment NPK along with crop residue, while the highest acid phosphatase activity was registered at CRI stage (205.74 μg p–nitrophenol /g/d) of wheat under same treatment. Maize grown with NPK (250:120:120 kg/ha) recorded maximum gross return (Rs./-105396 per ha), net return (Rs./-78932 per ha) and B:C ratio (2.98), while, under wheat grown with 150:110:100 kg/ha recorded maximum gross return (Rs./-85085 per ha), net return (Rs./-55812 per ha) and B:C ratio (1.91) were recorded with crop residue incorporation plot. Similarly, economic analysis of whole system (maize-wheat) showed that application of NPK the B:C ratio was (2.71) along with incorporation of crop residues. Increment in B:C ratio and net return in all (N and P, except K) omission plots was recorded in maize-wheat sequence with incorporation of crop residues. There was 12% increase of Apparent Recovery Efficiency (ARE) of applied N and 23% for applied K under maize-wheat cropping system with incorporation of crop residues. Per cent applied N fertilizer that was taken up by the crop (apparent recovery of applied N) was higher in wheat crop with crop residue as (57%) as compared to without crop residue (46%). The Nitrogen internal use efficiency of maize, wheat and maize-wheat cropping system was (39.14 & 40.54), (46.59 & 50.73) and (87.93 & 95.84 kg grain yield per kg N applied) with and without incorporation of crop residues. Correlation study showed a highly significantly and positively correlated among all the chemical and biological properties of soil with incorporation of crop residue. The soil organic carbon was positively correlated with urease enzyme (r = 0.988** & r = 0.982**), yield (r = 0.987** & r = 0.914*), available N (r = 0.964** & r = 0.945*), bacteria (r = 0.923* & r = 0.941*) and actinomycetes (r = 0.956* & r = 0.954*) with and without incorporation of crop residues. Available N content of soil was positively correlated with bacteria (r = 0.983** & 0.995**), urease (r = 0.963** & r = 0.978**), dehydrogenase enzyme (r = 0.971** & r = 995**), actinomycetes (r = 0.992** & r = 0.997) and yield (r = 0.976** & r = 0.916*) with and without incorporation of crop residue. The concentration of urease was positively correlated with yield (r = 0.977** & r = 0.954*) and dehydrogenase enzyme (r = 0.947* & r = 0.981**) with and without incorporation of crop residues. Dehydrogenase enzyme was significantly & positively correlated with yield (r = 0.923* & r = 0.929*) with and without incorporation of crop residues. The regression equation explained 98.6 % variations in grain yield of maize due to combined effect of available N and P. When all the independent variables (available N, P and K) were considered together in the regression equation, the predication value was 99.8% with non-significant effects of available P and K for wheat crop. Elimination of available P from the regression equation suggested that the decrease in prediction value was about 0.8%in wheat yield. Straw incorporation into the soil is considered to be an important strategy to improve soil fertility and to reduce the dependence on mineral fertilization. On the basis of above findings it may be concluded that balance fertilization with incorporation of crop residue in long-term maize-wheat cropping system maintained maximum individual crop yield as well as system yield and gave profitable economy return and improved the soil health.
