NUTRIENT RELEASE AND BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY OF SOILS INCORPORATED WITH CEREAL CROP RESIDUES
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Date
2016
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Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University
Abstract
A green house experiment entitled “Nutrient release and biological
activity of soils incorporated with cereal crop residues" was conducted at
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Agricultural College,
Bapatla, during kharif, 2013 to study the influence of crop residues and their
composts on soil properties and performance of rice in terms of yield and nutrient
uptake. The test soil was non-saline, clay in texture and neutral in reaction. The
soil was medium in organic carbon, low in available nitrogen, medium in
phosphorus, high in potassium and sufficient in sulphur status. All the
micronutrients were above the critical limit except zinc.
The experiment was laid out in CRD with nine treatments replicated
thrice. The treatments comprised of T1 - 100% RDFN, T2 - 100% RDFN+ 25%
N through paddy straw, T3 - 100% RDFN+ 25% N through paddy compost, T4 -
100% RDFN + 25% N through maize stalk, T5 - 100% RDFN+ 25% N through
maize compost, T6 -75% RDFN+ 25% N through paddy straw, T7 -75% RDFN+
25% N through paddy compost, T8 - 75% RDFN+ 25% N through maize stalk and
T9 - 75% RDFN+ 25% N through maize compost. Crop residues and prepared
composts were applied to soil as per the treatments based on their nitrogen content
15 days before transplanting of rice seedlings. Nitrogen was applied in three splits
as per the treatments in the form of urea. Phosphorus (basal) and potassium (two
equal splits) were applied in the form of SSP and muriate of potash, respectively
to all the treatments.
The influence of various treatments on soil properties (physical, physicochemical
properties, available nutrients and biological activity) and performance
of rice (yield and nutrient uptake) were determined by standard procedures at
different stages.
Application of inorganics alone or in combination with crop residues or
composts didn’t show marked difference in bulk density, pH, EC and CEC of the
soils. However, the treatments supplied with inorganic fertilizer in combination
with crop residues or composts resulted in significant increase in organic carbon
content and improved water holding capacity of the soil over no residue treatment
(100% RDFN). Application of 100 % RDFN+ 25% N though maize compost was
found to be superior in maintaining maximum mineral nitrogen and available
nutrient contents.
The microbial population (bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes) and enzyme
activity (dehydrogenase) of soil in treatments supplied with cereal crop residues
and composts in all combinations (T2 to T9) were found to be statistically higher
than only inorganic treatment at all crop growth stages. The treatments, which
received 25% N through crop residue composts (T3, T5, T7 and T9) recorded
relatively higher values than the raw crop residue treatments (T2, T4, T6 andT8).
The performance of rice in terms of drymatter production, grain and straw
yields was significantly influenced by the treatments. The treatment supplied with
100% RDFN + 25% N through maize compost recorded maximum drymatter
production, grain and straw yield. The same treatment resulted in significantly
higher uptake of all nutrients and it was followed by treatment supplied with
100% RDFN + 25% N through paddy compost.
Description
D5296
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