Changes in the soil properties and availability of micronutrients after six-year application of organic and chemical fertilizers using STCR-based targeted yield equations under pearl millet-wheat cropping system

ABSTRACT

Field experiments were carried out to assess the effect of nutrient management on soil properties and available micronutrients using Soil Test Crop Response (STCR) based targeted yield equations under a six-year old pearl millet-wheat cropping system. After six years, results showed that soil pH and bulk density decreased, while cation exchange capacity and organic carbon increased in farmyard manure (FYM) as compared to control and nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK) treated plots in both surface and sub-surface soil depths. Higher values of available zinc (Zn) (1.54 mg kg⁻¹) and iron (Fe) (5.68 mg kg⁻¹) were maintained in FYM+NPK treated plots, while higher values of manganese (Mn) (6.16 mg kg⁻¹) and copper (Cu) (1.07 mg kg⁻¹) were found in FYM alone at surface soil as compared to sub-surface soil. This study demonstrated the importance of application of FYM in improving soil properties and maintaining micronutrients availability in soil and their uptake by wheat for sustainable crop production.

KEYWORDS:

• Soil properties
• available micronutrients
• STCR-based fertilizer recommendations
• targeted yield equations
• pearl millet-wheat cropping system

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the Head, Division of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India, for providing facilities for successful completion of the research works.

Funding

The first author thanks the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi, India, for providing financial support as Junior Research Fellowship during his research work.