LATHA, M.MADHURYA, POONDLA2022-08-122022-08-122022-08-12D6251https://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810186275EFFECT OF INTEGRATED NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT ON SOIL PROPERTIES, GROWTH AND YIELD OF RABI MAIZEA field experiment entitled “Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management on soil properties, growth and yield of rabi maize” was carried out during the year 2020 at Agricultural College Bapatla, Andhra Pradesh India. The objective of this research was to study the influence of different sources of inorganic fertilizers with varied levels of nitrogen fertilization in combination with FYM and biofertilizers on soil properties, growth, yield, quality, nutrient content and uptake of maize. The variety Pioneer - 3396 was taken as Test crop. The treatments consisted viz., T1: Control, T2: 100% RDN, T3: 125% RDN, T4: 75% RDN + 25% N through FYM, T5: 75% RDN + 25% N through FYM + Biofertilizers, T6: 100% RDN + 25% N through FYM, T7: 100% RDN + Biofertilizers and T8: 100% RDN + 25% N through FYM + Biofertilizers. The initial status of soil was non saline, sandy loam in texture, neutral in reaction, low in organic carbon low in available nitrogen, high in available phosphorus, high in available potassium and sufficient in sulphur. The micronutrient status of the soil was sufficient regarding available iron, manganese and copper contents, but was deficient in zinc. The FYM @ 10 t ha-1 was applied as per the treatments as an organic component of INM. The inorganic fertilizer dosage of 200:60:50 N-P2O5 -K2O kg ha-1 was followed as RDF via Urea, SSP and MOP respectively. Nitrogen was applied in two equal splits as per the treatments. The biofertilizers (Azospirillum, PSB (pseudomonas sp.)) were applied @ 5 kg ha-1each. The effect of applied organic and inorganic source of nutrients was found to be non-significant on soil physical properties & physico-chemical properties assessed i.e soil texture, bulk density, water holding capacity, porosity ; soil reaction, electrical conductivity and CEC. However a significant effect was observed in organic carbon content of the soil. xviii The effect of different treatments on available macronutrient status of soil was found significant except for available sulphur content. Among all the treatments tried, the highest available macro and micro nutrient status in soil and their contents in plant was found in 100% RDN + 25% N through FYM + Biofertilizers (T8). Regarding soil available N and plant N content, the treatment 100% RDN + 25% N through FYM + Biofertilizers (T8) was found on par with 100% RDN + 25% N through FYM (T6) and 125% RDN (T3). For soil available P and plant P content,the treatment 100% RDN + 25% N through FYM + Biofertilizers (T8) was found on par with the treatments which contained biofertilizers as a component viz., 75% RDN + 25% N through FYM + Biofertilizers (T5), 100% RDN + Biofertilizers (T7). Regarding soil available K and plant K content, the treatment 100% RDN + 25% N through FYM + Biofertilizers (T8) was found on par with the treatments where FYM was in combination with inorganic doses i.e 75% RDN + 25% N through FYM (T4) ,75% RDN + 25% N through FYM + Biofertilizers (T5), 100% RDN + 25% N through FYM (T6). However a non significant effect was noticed regarding soil available sulphur and micronutrient status of soil and their contents in maize, but a comparably better performance of the integrated treatments than sole inorganic fertilized treatments was noticed. The lowest of all soil available macro and micronutrient status and their contents in plant was noticed in the unfertilized control treatment (T1). Application of inorganics, biofertilizers and FYM showed significant influence on bacterial, fungal and actinomycetes population of soil and also on the activity of dehydrogenase. For all biological parameters, the best performed treatment i.e 100% RDN + 25% N through FYM + Biofertilizers (T8) was found on par with the treatment in which both FYM and biofertilizers were added i.e 75% RDN + 25% N through FYM + Biofertilizers (T5). However the superior performance of FYM added treatments than sole inorganic treatments was also observed. The lowest value of all microbial counts and dehydrogenase enzyme activity was noticed in the control treatment (T1). The performance of maize with respect to plant height, dry matter production, kernel, stover yield of maize and carbohydrate, protein content of maize kernels were significantly influenced by the imposed treatments. Among all treatments, the treatment 100% RDN + 25% N through FYM + Biofertilizers (T8) performed best and it was found on par with 125% RDN (T3) and 100% RDN + 25% N through FYM (T6). The effect of different treatments on maize test weight was found insignificant. The lowest value for all growth and quality parameters was noticed in the control treatment (T1). The treatment 100% RDN + 25% N through FYM + Biofertilizers (T8) has recorded the highest uptake of N, P, K and S. For N uptake of maize, the treatments 100% RDN + 25% N through FYM (T6) and 125 % RDN (T3) were found on par with 100% RDN + 25% N through FYM + Biofertilizers (T8). Regarding P uptake, the treatment 100% RDN + 25% N through FYM + Biofertilizers (T8) was found on par with the treatment 75% RDN + 25% N through FYM + Biofertilizers (T5) except at xix knee high stage and with 100% RDN + Biofertilizers (T7) at knee high, harvest stages. Regarding potassium uptake, the best performed treatment 100% RDN + 25% N through FYM + Biofertilizers (T8) was found on par with 100% RDN + 25% N through FYM (T6) at all stages of crop growth and with 125 % RDN (T3) at knee high and tasseling stage. The potassium uptake in grain, the treatment 100% RDN + 25% N through FYM + Biofertilizers (T8) which was found on par with 75% RDN + 25% N through FYM + Biofertilizers (T5). The lowest uptake values of N, P and also for K were noticed in the control treatment (T1). Regarding sulphur, iron, manganese, copper and zinc uptake by maize, the treatment 100% RDN + 25% N through FYM + Biofertilizers (T8) had recorded highest uptake values and it was found on par with 125 % RDN (T3) and 100% RDN + 25% N through FYM (T6) in most instances. The lowest value for all uptakes was noticed in the control (T1) treatment.EnglishThesis