Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
30 (1):65-69
(65) ISSN 0973-6913 (Print), ISSN 0976-3384 (On Line)
The necessity to increase agricultural production in India is Typic Hapludalf at Palampur. The experimental farm is situated
distinctly clear. Overdependence on high analysis fertilizers at 3106/ N latitude and 760 3/ E longitude at an altitude of
has encouraged the process of land degradation and is badly about 1290 meters above mean sea level. The site lies in the
influencing production potential and soil health. As a result Palam valley of Kangra district in the Mid Hills Sub Humid
most of the productive soils are becoming unproductive. Zone of Himachal Pradesh. The climate of the experimental
Imbalanced fertilization is one of the important factor limiting site is characterized as wet temperate with mild summers
crop yields. Problem is more severe in acid soils which are (March to June) and cool winters. The average rainfall of the
under continuous cropping1. area ranges from 2500 mm to 3000 mm. A major portion of
the rainfall (about 75 %) is received during monsoon period
Contribution of chemical fertilizers towards an increase in
from June to September. The mean maximum temperature
agricultural production of farming system is well known. But
remains about 31 0C during the hottest months of May to June.
their injudicious use exhibits a detrimental effect on soil health.
December to February are the coldest months with minimum
Although, use of chemical fertilizers is the fastest way of
temperature of about 3 to 9 0C and maximum 13 to 21 0C.
replenishing the nutrient depletion, yet ever- increasing energy
cost, limited input availability and rising fertilizer prices deter The initial soil characteristics of experimental sites are given
the farmers from using these inputs to required level. Further, in Table-1. N was added in three equal splits for maize at
chemical fertilizers alone are unable to maintain the long-term sowing, knee high and tasseling growth stage and in two equal
soil health and crop productivity as they lack in secondary splits for wheat at sowing and crown root initiation growth stage
and micronutrients2. Hence, it is imperative that we evolve an while full doses of P and K were applied to both the crops at
efficient, economic and integrated nutrient management (INM) the time of sowing. Nitrogen, P and K were applied through
system to sustain the productivity of different crops and urea, single superphosphate and muriate of potash,
cropping systems. Hence, in the present investigation, the respectively in all the treatments except in 100% NPK (-S)
study on the effect of chemical fertilizers and amendments on where P was applied through diammonium phosphate to
crop yields and NPK uptake under maize-wheat cropping assess the effect of S-free high analysis fertilizer. Zinc was
system was undertaken. applied as Zinc sulphate @ 25 kg ha-1 every year to both the
crops. Farmyard manure was added @ 10 t ha-1 on fresh weight
MATERIAL AND METHODS
basis only to the maize crop every year that corresponds to
A long-term fertilizer experiment was initiated in 1972-73 on a its average application rate by the farmers of the area.
NAAS Rating (2016)-4.20
Table-1.Initial physico-chemical characteristics of the Table-2.Effect of long-term use of chemical fertilizers and
surface soil (1972) amendments on productivity of maize (q ha-1)
Table-4. Effect of long-term use of chemical fertilizers and amendments on NPK uptake by
maize (kg ha-1)
soil condition favours the biological activity and consequently in an increase of 5.44 and 8.66 q ha-1 higher grain and straw
improves the productivity. Super optimal level (150 %) NPK yield under control, respectively. The balanced use of fertilizers
decreased the productivity probably due to emerging (i.e. 100 % NPK) recorded 21.00 and 35.11 q ha-1 grain and
deficiencies of secondary nutrients particularly Mg in the straw yield, respectively. Thus, there was an increase to the
present soil4. The source of P in present study was single extent of 63 and 72 % in grain and straw yield, respectively
super phosphate (SSP) which contains gypsum. The gypsum over 100 % NP treatment. A sharp decline in grain and straw
added through the SSP might have met the Ca and S yield was recorded when K was not applied in the soil. When
requirements but led to deficiency of magnesium due to compared to balanced fertilization (100 % NPK), 100 % NP
continuous cropping and manuring for the last forty years. treatment recorded 38.6 and 36.7 % decrease in grain and
Application of high analysis of P fertilizers (DAP) in place of straw yield of wheat respectively. The omission of sulphur 100
single super phosphate (SSP) has resulted in considerable % NPK (-S) recorded significantly lower yield than balanced
decline in crop yield as in comparison to SSP , diammonium fertilization (100 % NPK), the decrease being 36 and 34.8 %
phosphate contains 46 % P2O5 but no sulphur and calcium. in grain and straw yield, respectively. The continuous application
Its continuous use has, therefore, led to sulphur mining of the of FYM along with 100 % NPK (T8) resulted in significantly
soil and thereby resulting in drastic reduction in crop yield. higher yield than 100 % NPK and 150 % NPK (T3). Compared
to 100 % NPK, application of FYM along with 100 % NPK
Productivity of wheat: The data on the effect of chemical
increased the grain and straw yield of wheat by 64 and 49 %,
fertilizers and amendments on productivity of wheat have been
respectively. The productivity of wheat recorded under 100 %
given in Table-3. Productivity in 100 % N treated plots turned
NPK + FYM (T8) was statistically at par with 100 % NPK +
out to be zero. Barring 100 % N treated plots, grain and straw
lime (T10). Super optimal dose of NPK (150 per cent) was at
yield of wheat (2011-12) varied from 7.45 to 34.45 q ha-1 and
par with 100 per cent NPK. Biological yield varied from 21.00
13.56 to 52.44 q ha-1 under control and 100 per cent NPK +
to 86.89 q ha-1 under control and 100 per cent NPK + FYM,
FYM treated plots, respectively. It is evident from data that
respectively. The treatment wise trend was similar as in case
continuous application of 100 % N alone for forty years resulted
of grain and straw yield. Since no fertilizer and amendment
in zero yield level. Combining phosphorus with N (T6) resulted
was added in control plots for the last forty years hence
productivity was very low in these plots due to continuous lime amended plots registered an increase of 44.27 per cent
mining of nutrients. Application of N alone continuously for over 100 % NPK (T2). The treatment comprising 100 % NPK
forty years resulted in zero yield. It may be due to increase in + Zn with N uptake value of 63.10 kg ha-1 differed significantly
soil acidity resulting in increased concentration of various toxic from 100 % NPK. A sharp decline in N uptake by grains was
elements specially aluminium which adversely affect the crop recorded in the plots where either potassium or sulphur was
growth. Many other workers in different parts of country have not applied. Compared to 100 % NPK treatment, omission of
noticed the similar effect where degradation of soil has taken potassium (T6) and sulphur (T9) recorded 75.14 and 85.17 %
place in 100 % N treated plots over a period of time 5-7. lower K uptake values respectively. The treatments 100 %
Application of phosphorus along with nitrogen improved the NPK + HW, 100 per cent + Zn were at par with N uptake
yield in comparison to control. As phosphorus is helpful in values of 64.58 and 63.10 kg ha-1, respectively. The values of
proliferation of roots, it results in favourable effect on crop growth N uptake by maize stover varied from 9.32 kg ha-1 under zero
and ultimately yield. Moreover, high P fixing capacity of the fertilization to 73.85 kg ha-1 under 100 per cent NPK + lime.
soils resulting in less availability of labile P to the crop plants Application of 100 % NPK was statistically superior to 50 %
is responsible for noticeable responses to phosphorus NPK (T1), 150 % NPK (T3), 100 % NP (T2), 100 % NPK (-S)
application. A marked decrease in productivity in the absence (T2) and control (T11) with N uptake values of 45.58, 51.52,
of sulphur application highlights the significance of sulphur 25.57, 28.74 and 9.32 kg ha-1, respectively. The increased
nutrition for the crops. Comparatively higher productivity under uptake in different fertilized treatments over control was due to
100 per cent NPK + HW is probably due to the recycling of increased level of nutrition resulting in increased productivity
weed biomass in the same crop. Moreover, physical soil level as discussed in case of nitrogen uptake by wheat. As
environment becomes more favourable in the plots when we the yield was low in 100 % NPK (-S) plots due to the deficiency
do interculture operations to control the weeds. Significantly of sulphur, the N uptake was also low. The positive effect of
better productivity in the plots treated with lime may be FYM on uptake is due to the favourable effect of FYM on growth
attributed to increase in pH values of soil which decreases the and yield and supply of nitrogen through FYM. The increase in
active forms of Al and soil acidity thereby improving conditions N uptake under balanced fertilization is due to supply of N
for crop growth8. through urea and better root proliferation.
Nutrient uptake by maize Phosphorus uptake: The data presented in Table-4 revealed
Nitrogen uptake: The data on the effect of continuous use of that P uptake by maize grain varied from 1.94 kg ha-1 to 18.61
chemical fertilizers and amendments on N uptake by maize kg ha-1 under control and 100 % NPK + FYM respectively.
have been given in Table-4. A perusal of the data revealed that Continuous application of FYM along with 100 % NPK (T8)
N uptake by grains varied from a minimum value of 10.87 kg increased P uptake by maize grain significantly over rest of
ha-1 under control to the maximum value of 97.75 kg ha-1 under the treatments. Application of 100 % NPK + Lime (T10) and
100 % NPK + FYM. Application of FYM resulted in significant 100 % NPK + FYM (T8) increased the uptake by 11.7 and
increase in N uptake in comparison to rest of the treatments. 29.8 %, respectively over 100 % NPK. The P uptake under
Application of 100 % NPK (T2) recorded significantly higher N 100 % NPK (T2) by grains was at par with 150 % NPK (T3),
uptake over the sub optimal dose (T1). Whereas, 150% NPK 100 % NPK + HW (T4) and 100 % NPK + Zn (T5) with value of
was at par with optimal dose of chemical dose of fertilizers 14.78, 15.70 and 14.35 respectively. Compared to 100 % NPK,
(T2). Application of lime was found statistically superior over the P uptake in 100 % NP and 100 % NPK (-S) treated plots
rest of the treatments and recorded significantly lower value decreased by 7.87 and 7.72 kg ha-1 respectively. The P uptake
than 100 % NPK + FYM. Hand weeded plots resulted in by maize stover was highest (3.48 kg ha-1) under 100 % NPK
significantly higher N uptake than optimal dose of chemical + FYM (T8) and lowest was under control 0.40 kg ha-1 (T11).
fertilizers (T2), the increase being 21.04 %. The increase in N Similar to P uptake by grain, application of FYM increased P
uptake by grains in organically amended soil over optimal dose uptake by stover significantly over other treatment combinations
of chemical fertilizers was to the order of 83.22 %, whereas, except 100 %NPK + Lime (T10). Lower values of P uptake in
NP, NPK (-S) and control plots is attributed to lower productivity continuous removal in absence of nutrient addition from any
of maize in these plots. The higher P uptake in FYM treated external source resulted in low productivity and K uptake by
plots might be due to the fact that organic material form grain and stover by maize. Long-term omission of potassium
chelates with Al3+ and Fe3+ resulting in reduction in P fixation. and sulphur resulted in low yield and therefore lesser K uptake
Higher P uptake values underlined treated plots may be as compared to balanced fertilization. Moreover, K was not
attributed to precipitation of Al3+ at high pH and thereby making added in NP treatment continuously and hence lesser K uptake
phosphorus readily available to growing crops. in this plot is obvious. Application of FYM along with
recommended fertilizer recorded highest K uptake which might
Potassium uptake: The K uptake values by maize grain and
be due to the favourable condition of crop growth in these
stover and total have been given in Table-4. A reference to the
plots and supply of potassium (0.4 %) through FYM in addition
data indicated that K uptake in maize grain varied from 2.36
of chemical fertilizer. Positive influence of lime on K uptake is
kg ha-1 under zero fertilization (T11) to 24.93 kg ha-1 under 100
due to the improvement of soil environment and consequently
% NPK + FYM (T8). The critical examination of data revealed
on crop yield. Such increase in NPK uptake with the use of
that the plots receiving 100 % NPK + FYM (T8) recorded
chemical fertilizer alone or in combination with organics by
significantly higher K removal than rest of the treatments.
maize crop has been reported from elsewhere in the country9-11
Application of 100 % NPK + FYM and 100 % NPK + lime
increased K uptake by maize grain to the order of 43.8 and REFERENCES
20.4 % respectively over 100 % NPK. Potassium uptake under
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100 % NPK was found at par with 150 % NPK (T3), 100 NPK Soil Sci., 58: 200.
+ HW (T4) and 100 % NPK + Zn (T5) with uptake values of 2. Subba Rao, A., and Srivastava, S. (1998). Indian J. Fert,. 43: 65.
16.74, 18.04 and 17.73 kg ha-1 respectively. Omission of 3. Brady, N.C., and Weil, R.R. (2002). In: The Nature and Properties
potassium (T6) and sulphur (T9) reduced K uptake significantly of Soils. 13th edition Pearson Education (Singapore) Pvt. Ltd.,
in comparison to 100 % NPK (T2). In case of maize stover, K New Delhi.
uptake varied from 7.30 kg ha-1 to 84.73 kg ha-1 under control 4. Sharma, S.P., Subehia, S.K., and Sharma, P.K. (2002). Research
(T11) to 100 % NPK + FYM (T8) respectively. Application of Bulletin CSK HPKV p 33.
FYM along with 100 % NPK + FYM (T8) and 100 % NPK + 5. Sinha, S.K., Singh, V.N., and Singh, K.P. (1997). J. Res. BAU., 9: