EFFECT OF MAIZE-WHEAT CROPPING SEQUENCE ON SOIL PROPERTIES AND FERTILITY STATUS

Abstract

A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of different nutrient sources (M0-no organic; M1-FYM @ 10 t ha-1; M2-Pressmud (PM) @ 5 t ha-1; F0-no fertilizer; F1 (FYM) -75% of recommended NP; F2-100% of recommended NP; F3-75% of recommended NP+S+Zn+ Fe; F4-100% of recommended NP+S+Zn+Fe; F5- 100% of recommended NP+Foliar spray of 1% multi-micronutrient formulation) with maize-wheat cropping sequence on soil properties in Factorial Complete Randomized design (FCRD) with three replications. The addition of M1 and M2 were declined soil pH but increased the content of available N, P, S, Fe, Zn, Cu and Mn in soil. The available P, K and Zn content were higher in M1 residue than M2 residue. The F3 and F4 treatments were reduced soil pH whereas, reverse trend was noticed in EC after maize harvested. Maximum available S was found in the M2F3 (42.81 mg kg-1) and M2F4 (46.73 mg kg-1) and maximum DTPA-Zn was in the M2F3 (2.89 mg kg1 ) and in M2F4 (2.55 mg kg-1).