RESPONSE OF MUSTARD TO P, S AND Zn FERTILIZATION AND THEIR RESIDUAL EFFECT ON BAJRA CROP
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Date
1988
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AAU, Anand
Abstract
A field experiment was conducted with a view to knowing the effects of different levels of P (0, 50 and 100 kg p205/ha), S (0, 20 and 40 kg S/ha) and Zn (0, 5 and 10 kg Zn/ha) on (i) periodical chcinges in available status of the applied nutrients, (ii) changes in concentration of nutrients in mustard leaves collected after 30, 60 and 90 days of sowing, (iii) dry matter yield, oil content and chemical composition of different plant components of mustard, (iv) residual effects of the applied nutrients on dry-matter yield of a succeeding crop of bajra, and (v) finally suggesting fertilizer schedule for mustard-bajra cropping sequence. The cropping sequence of mustard-bajra was followed for two consecutive years, with a crop of fodder jowar in between to exhaust out the residual effects of left-over nutrients as the experiment was to be continued on the same site in the subsequent year. Soil was loamy sand in texture, poor in N and organic matter, sufficient in K, fairly adequate in S and deficient in Zn. Available status of P, S and Zn at different growth stages were affected significantly due to application of respective nutrients. Generally, all of them showed a decreasing trend with passage of time. The concentration of P in mustard leaves was not significantly altered at different stages due to P levels, but S and Zn contents showed significant differences due to variation in level of their applications during both the years. On the pooled basis, the yields of mustard grains, straw and husk were increased to the maximum extent by 33, 24 and 20 per cent at P2 (100 kg P2O5/ha) level respectively as compared to P0, (control) , but such yield differences were not noticed due to applications of S and Zn. However, oil content of mustard was significantly enhanced by the increased rate of S addition during both the years. The increases over control (S0) in oil content at S, (20 kg S/ha) and S2 (40 kg S/ha) levels on the pooled basis were 1.8 and 3.4 per cent respectively. However, overall oil yield was significantly improved only on accoxmt of P addition during both the years, which could be attributed to mainly to increased production of mustard grains. Addition of Zn neither increased oil content nor its overall yield. Application of P increased total uptakes of different elements in plant parts of mustard. While, S and Zn application improved their respective uptakes, but generally not of others. The percentage increases on pooled basis in total uptakes over control at P1 and P2 levels were respectively 13 and 31 for P; 16 and 33 for S; as well as 18 and 38 for Zn. Addition of Zn to the previous crop of mustard significantly elevated the grains and straw yields of bajra during both the years. The percentage increases in grains yield over control on pooled basis at Zn1 (5 kg Zn/ha) and Zn2 (10 kg Zn/ha) were 26 and 57 respectively indicating tremendous boosting effect of Zn on production of bajra grains. Fertilization of mustard crop at varying levels of P, S and Zn did not show significant effect on the fatty acid profile of mustard oil. Erucic acid, a characteristic fatty acid showed the maximum contribution of 60 per cent. Mustard crop should be fertilized on hectare basis with 100 kg P2O5, 2.5 or 5 kg Zn along with 50 kg N to realize maximum net returns on a soil deficient in Zn and medium in P, while the succeeding bajra crop be fertilized with 2.5 or 5 kg Zn/ha to derive more monetory returns. It is desirable to supplement Zn in two equal splits to each of the crops of mustard-bajra cropping sequence for its efficient utilization, rather than full Zn dose of 5 or 10 kg/ha to the first crop of mustard.
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Agricultural Chemistry and Soil Science, A Study