Influence of long-term application of organic manures and fertilizers on soil properties and wheat productivity under pearl millet-wheat cropping system
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Date
2021-09
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CCSHAU, Hisar
Abstract
An on-going long-term field experiment started since 1995 (Rabi) under pearl millet-wheat cropping system at research farm of department of Soil Science, CCS HAU was selected to study the effects of various combinations of organic manures and fertilizers on wheat productivity and soil properties. The plant and soil samples were collected after 25th cycles of pearl millet-wheat cropping system after the harvest of wheat crop. The results showed that application of organic manures (15 Mg FYM or 5 Mg poultry manure or 7.5 Mg pressmud ha-1) recorded relatively lower yield of wheat as compared to chemical fertilizers applied alone or in combination with organic manures. Irrespective of the treatments, soil EC, SOC, DOC, TOC, N, P, K, S and DTPA-extractable micronutrients were higher in surface soils as compared to sub-surface soils. Continuous addition of organic manures alone or in combination with chemical fertilizers for 25 years decreased the soil pH as compared to initial value (8.1). However, soil EC was increased. The SOC content of soil decreased from its initial value (0.39%) where half of recommended dose of NP fertilizers were applied. A significantly increase in SOC, DOC, TOC, carbon fractions, available N, P, K and S content was observed with integrated nutrient management practices as compared to organic manures or chemical fertilizers applied alone. Application of organic manures alone or in combination with chemical fertilizers could not sustain the initial level of N (196 kg ha-1) after continuous cultivation of pearl millet-wheat cropping system for 25 years. Application of FYM15N150P30, poultry manure5N150P30 and pressmud7.5N150P30 increased available P content by 10.85, 17.39 and 23.46% for 0-15 cm soil depth and 14.44, 38.72 and 25.84% for 15-30 cm soil depth over FYM, poultry manure and pressmud, respectively. The available K content in soil varied from 340.5 to 761.2 and 213.7 to 479.3 kg ha-1 for 0-15 and 15-30 cm soil depth, respectively, among various treatments. The highest MBC, MBN and enzymes activity was observed with application of organic manures alone or in combination with chemical fertilizers over chemical fertilizers applied alone. The integrated use of organic manures and fertilizers proved crucial for soil health, nutrients availability and crop productivity under pearl millet-wheat cropping sequence.