Effect of a decade-long chemical fertilizers and amendments application on potassium fractions and yield of maize​–wheat in an acid Alfisol

Effect of long-term addition of chemical fertilizers with or without amendments was studied on different forms of potassium and the yield of maize and wheat. Continuous application of chemical fertilizers and amendments for 40 years influenced different fractions of potassium significantly. Integrated use of a balanced dose of chemical fertilizer, with farmyard manure (FYM) or lime, sustained higher yields of maize and wheat in comparison to inorganic fertilizers alone. Application of urea (100%) N alone for 40 years resulted in zero yield level. Continuous application of chemical fertilizers either alone or in combination with FYM or lime influenced different fractions of potassium significantly. Continuous cropping without fertilization resulted in depletion to the order of 21.5%, 16.6%, 11.7%, and 5.5% in water-soluble, exchangeable, 0.5 N HCl extractable, and non-exchangeable K, respectively. Different fractions of potassium were found to be positively and significantly correlated with grain and stover/straw yield of maize and wheat.     

Long term effect of fertilizers and amendments on the properties of an acid Alfisol and uptake of primary nutrients and sulfur in maize-wheat rotation in North Western Himalayas

Abstract

Soil physico-chemical properties and NPKS uptake were studied in a long-term fertilizer experiment at experimental farm of Department of Soil Science, Himachal Pradesh Agricultural University, Palampur (India). All properties were significantly affected by long term application of fertilizers. Bulk density was the highest with 100% N application and the lowest with FYM application. Optimum pH was resulted in lime amended treatment. Organic carbon, CEC, Available N and K were highest in FYM amended treatment. Available P was highest in 150% NPK and that was at par with 100% NPK?+?FYM. All primary nutrients were decreasing with increasing depth. Application of 100% NPK?+?FYM recorded highest yield of maize and wheat, which was at par with 100% NPK?+?lime. Uptake of NPK and S followed the yield trend and resulted in the highest uptake of NPK and S in 100% NPK?+?FYM and the lowest in control.     

Effect of 46 years' application of fertilizers,FYM and lime on physical,chemical and biological properties of soil under maize–wheat system in an acid Alfisol of northwest Himalayas

Imbalanced fertilizer use with intensive cropping has threatened the sustainability of agroecosystems, especially on acid soils. An understanding of the long-term effects of fertilizers and amendments on soil health is essential for sustaining high crop yields. The effects of application of fertilizers, and amendments for 46 years on soil properties and maize yield in an acid Alfisol were investigated in this study. Ten fertilizer treatments comprising different amounts of NPK fertilizers, farmyard manure (FYM) and lime, and one control, were replicated three times in a randomized block design. At 0–15 cm soil depth, bulk density was least (1.20 t/m³), porosity (49.8%) and water holding capacity (61.7%) were greatest in 100% NPK + FYM, corresponding to the largest organic carbon content (13.93 g/kg). Microbial biomass C and dehydrogenase activity in 100% NPK + FYM were 42% and 13.7% greater than 100% NPK, respectively. Available nutrients were significantly more with 100% NPK + FYM and 100% NPK + lime than control and other fertilizer treatments. At 15–30 cm depth, the effect of various treatments was comparable to the surface layer. Grain yield declined by 55% and 53% in 100% NPK(-S) and 100% NP, respectively, compared with 100% NPK, whereas 100% N as urea alone eventually led to crop failure. Soil porosity recorded the greatest positive correlation (r = .933**), whereas bulk density recorded a negative significant correlation (r = −.942**) with grain yield. The results suggest that integrated use of FYM/lime with chemical fertilizers is a sustainable practice in terms of crop yield and soil health, whereas continuous application of urea alone is detrimental to the soil health.     

Long-Term Effect of Fertilizers and Amendments on Depth-Wise Distribution of Available NPK,Micronutrient Cations,Productivity, and NPK Uptake by Maize-Wheat System in an Acid Alfisol of NorthWestern Himalayas

The present study was undertaken in the ongoing long-term fertilizer experiment initiated during 1972 at experimental farm of Department of Soil Science, Himachal Pradesh Agricultural University, Palampur (India). Soil samples collected from three depths (0–0.15, 0.15–0.30, and 0.30–0.45 m) were analyzed for pH; organic carbon; CEC; available N, P, and K; and micronutrients cations. Continuous use of optimal dose of fertilizers and FYM-influenced pH, organic carbon, CEC, available NPK, and DTPA extractable micronutrient cations significantly. The contents of organic carbon, available N, P, K, Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu were higher in top soil layer (0–0.15 m) compared to lower depths (0.15–0.30 and 0.30–0.45 m). Highest productivity of wheat (89.89 q ha^?1) and maize (156.52 q ha^?1) was recorded under 100% NPK + FYM, which was at par with 100% NPK + lime. Application of 100% NPK along with amendments (FYM/lime) recorded significantly higher NPK uptake over other treatments.     

Dynamics of zinc under long-term application of chemical fertilizers and amendments by maize–wheat cropping sequence in Typic Hapludalfs

This present investigation took place on a continuing long-term fertilizer experiment, initiated in 1972 at the experimental farm of the College of Agriculture CSK HPKV, Palampur, aimed at studying nutrient dynamics of micronutrients, especially Zn, after continuous use of chemical fertilizers and amendments over the previous 36 years in an acid Alfisol under a maize–wheat system. Treatments investigated were as follows: T₁: Control; 100% N; 100% NP; 100% NPK (optimal application - 120:26:33(maize)/25(wheat)); 100% NPK + FYM (10 t ha⁻¹ to the maize crop); T₆: 100% NPK + lime (900 kg ha⁻¹); T₇: 100% NPK + Zn (25 kg ha⁻¹ as ZnSO₄); T₈: 100% NPK + Hand weeding; T₉: 100% NPK (-S); T₁₀: 150% NPK (super-optimal application); and T₁₁: 50% NPK (sub-optimal application). Different forms of zinc in soil were determined through a sequential extraction method. Results revealed that previous applications of high-analysis fertilizers and amendments caused a marked depletion in the pools of Zn as compared to buffer plots. All pools of Zn as well as crop productivity and Zn uptake were noticeably greater in farmyard manure (FYM)-amended plots compared with plots not receiving fertilizer. The residual fraction was the dominant form but organically bound and exchangeable forms were found to play major role in nutrient supply, crop productivity and nutrient uptake. Correlation and regression analysis studies showed that organic forms constituted the most important pool contributing towards variation in yield and uptake by maize and wheat crops. Exchangeable and organically bound forms contributed significantly towards the availability of DTPA-extractable Zn in soil.     

Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management on Soil Physical Properties and Crop Productivity under a Maize (Zea mays)–Mustard (Brassica campestris) Cropping Sequence in Acidic Soils of Northeast India

A five-year (2001/02–2006/07) field experiment was carried out on acidic clay loam soil classified as Typic Hapludalf with a maize–mustard crop sequence to study the effect of continuous application of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK) fertilizers alone and in combination with lime, farmyard manure (FYM), and biofertilizers on soil physical properties, soil organic carbon (SOC), soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC), and crop yields on the hilly ecosystem of Meghalaya. Significant improvement in the soil physical conditions of the soil was observed under integrated application of organic manure and inorganic fertilizers. Addition of NPK fertilizers along with organic manure, lime, and biofertilizers increased soil organic carbon (SOC) content, aggregate stability, moisture-retention capacity, and infiltration rate of the soil while reducing bulk density. The SOC content under the treatment of 100% NPK + lime + biofertilizer + FYM was significantly greater (68.58%) than in control plots. Maize and mustard crop yields also significantly increased (4.73- and 21.09-folds, respectively) with continuous application of balanced inorganic (100% NPK) + lime + biofertilizer + FYM as compared to the control plots. However, crop yields drastically reduced under application of integrated nutrients without FYM as compared to the treatment with FYM application. Thus, the results suggest that integrated use of a balanced inorganic fertilizer in combination with lime and organic manure sustains a soil physical environment that is better for achieving higher crop productivity under intensive cropping systems in the hilly ecosystem of northeastern India.     

Effects of 41 Years of Application of Inorganic Fertilizers and Farm Yard Manure on Crop Yields,Soil Quality,and Sustainable Yield Index under a Rice-Wheat Cropping System on Mollisols of North India

The present investigation was carried out to evaluate the effect of integrated nutrient management (INM) on crop yield sustainability and soil quality in a long-term trial initiated during the wet season of 1971 under a humid subtropical climate. Over 41 years of study, 100% nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK) + farm yard manure (FYM) at 15 t ha^?1 recorded the most sustainable grain yields. Optimal and superoptimal NPK fertilizers gave quite similar crop yields to that of 100% NPK + FYM at 15 t ha^–1 up to two decades but thereafter yields declined sharply due to emergence of zinc (Zn) deficiency. The sustainable yield index (SYI) values indicated that wheat yields were more sustainable than rice. Soil organic carbon and available N, P, K, and Zn in the control plot decreased the most, whereas 100% NPK + FYM at 15 t ha^–1 improved available N, P and K, maintained soil organic carbon, and decreased Zn over initial levels. Grain yield and SYI were more significantly correlated with Soil Organic Carbon (SOC). Continuous application of FYM contributed the maximum Soil Quality Index (SQI) (0.94), followed by Zn.     

Effect of Mycorrhiza,Organic Sources,Lime, Secondary and Micro-nutrients on Soil Microbial Activities and Yield Performance of Yam Bean (Pachyrhizus erosus L.) in Alfisols

Effect of integrated use of mycorrhiza, lime, inorganic fertilizers, and organic manures on microbial activities and yield performance of yam bean (Pachyrhizus erosus L.) was studied for two consecutive kharif (rainy) seasons during 2013–14 and 2014–15 in an acid Alfisol. The experiment was laid out with 16 treatments consisting of graded doses of soil test–based nitrogen, phosphors, and potassium (NPK); lime; mycorrhiza; organic sources, that is, farmyard manure (FYM), vermicompost, and green manure; secondary magnesium sulfate (MgSO₄) and micronutrients zinc sulfate (ZnSO₄ and borax). Significantly highest mean tuber yield (29.61 t ha^?1) was recorded due to integrated application of lime + FYM + NPK + ZnSO₄. Graded doses of NPK showed a mean yield response of 65%, 134%, and 191% due to addition of 50%, 100%, and 150% of NPK over control, respectively. Inoculation of vesicular–arbuscular mycorrhiza (VAM) combined with NPK and FYM recorded a mean tuber yield of 25.14 t ha^?1. Highest mean dry matter (18.85%) was recorded due to application of 150% NPK, whereas highest starch content on fresh weight basis was recorded due to integrated use of lime + FYM + NPK + MgSO₄ (11.11%). Application of 150% NPK has recorded highest dehydrogenase activity (2.018 µg TPF h^?1 g^?1) and fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis assay (2.012 µg g^?1 h^?1). Fungal inoculation of VAM in combination with lime + FYM + NPK recorded highest acid and alkaline phosphatase activities (82.20 and 67.02 µg PNP g^?1 soil h^?1, respectively). Soil biological activities and phosphatase activities had highly significant relationship with tuber yield and biochemical constituents of yam bean. The study emphasized the conjunctive use of soil test–based inorganic fertilizers, lime, and organic manures to enhance the enzymatic activities and to realize higher crop yields of yam bean in acid Alfisols.     

Effects of Continuous Use of Chemical Fertilizers and Manure on Soil Fertility and Productivity of Maize–Wheat under Rainfed Conditions of the Western Himalayas

Long-term effects of continuous use of chemical fertilizers and manure on soil fertility and productivity of a maize–wheat system were investigated in the ongoing long-term fertilizer experiment, during rabi (2007–2008) and kharif (2008) seasons at the research farm of Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Agricultural University–Hill Agricultural Research and Extension Centre, Dhaulakuan. After 16 cropping cycles, bulk density decreased in plots where farmyard manure (FYM) was applied, whereas pH decreased in all the treatments. The organic carbon content of the soil increased in all the treatments except 100% nitrogen (N). Cation exchange capacity (CEC) increased in all the treatments over the initial status of the soil. Available N showed buildup over the initial status in most of the treatments. Available phosphorus (P) declined from initial status in treatments where only N was applied alone or with FYM. There was reduction in available potassium (K) status in all the treatments except 100% NPK. Continuous addition of FYM with balanced application of inorganic fertilizers improved content of exchangeable calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) over initial status compared to imbalanced application of fertilizers. Continuous use of imbalanced inorganic fertilizers resulted in lesser crop yields and nutrient uptake compared to that with the application of balanced dose of inorganic fertilizers with FYM.     

Soil Quality for Rice Productivity and Yield Sustainability under Long-term Fertilizer and Manure Application

Productivity and sustainability of rice-rice cropping system depend upon the soil quality which is primarily governed by application of fertilizers and manures. However, such information is limited and hence, the present investigation was carried out in a 9-year-old long-term fertilizer experiment at Bhubaneswar, India. There were seven treatments (control, application of 100% NPK, 150% NPK, 100% NPK + Zn, 100% NPK + FYM, 100% NPK + Zn + B, and 100% NPK + Zn + S) laid out in randomized block design with four replications. Indicators of soil quality (physical, chemical, and biological) were diagnosed from 30 numbers of soil properties measured on the post-wet season soil and soil quality was assessed taking productivity and sustainability of dry season rice as goal functions. Results revealed that the highest productivity and sustainability of dry season rice was found with application of 100% NPK + FYM. This treatment, in general, showed better physical, chemical, and biological properties than rest of the treatments. The highest soil quality index (SQI) was recorded in 100% NPK + FYM (0.941) treatment followed by 150% NPK (0.826) with CEC diagnosed as the only key indicator for rice productivity. For yield sustainability in dry season, reserve K and total N were important contributing 89% and 11%, respectively to the SQI. Therefore, these soil properties could be used to monitor soil quality in wet season. Application of FYM along with 100% NPK could sustain the productivity of dry season rice by improving soil properties under subtropical rice-rice system.     

Different Forms of Potassium and Their Contributions toward Potassium Uptake under Long-Term Maize (Zea mays L.)–Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)–Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) Rotation on an Inceptisol

In a long-term fertilizer experiment at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, with maize, wheat, and cowpea, various forms of potassium (K) and their contribution toward K uptake were found to be affected by fertilizer use and intensive cropping. The treatments included for the study were a control, 100% nitrogen (N), 100% N–phosphorus (P), 50% NPK, 100% NPK, 100% NPK + farmyard manure (FYM at 15 t ha^?1 to maize only), and 150% NPK. The concentration of nonexchangeable K was greatest, followed by exchangeable K and water-soluble K. The study revealed no significant change in water-soluble K concentration in surface soil compared to N, NP, and control, indicating existence of an equilibrium between different K forms. Application of 100% NPK significantly increased water-soluble K concentration in surface soil compared to N, NP, and control treatments after maize, wheat, and cowpea. Application of NPK + FYM and 150% NPK resulted in greater quantities of all the K forms as compared to other treatments. Among the three forms, water-soluble K contributed predominantly to K uptake by maize and wheat; however, nonexchangeable K contributed significantly to K uptake by cowpea.     

Influence of continuous application of inorganic nutrients to a Maize–Wheat rotation on soil enzyme activity and grain quality in a rainfed Indian soil

To explore long-term impact of organic and inorganic fertilizers on soil health and grain quality, we monitored the enzyme activities and chemical properties of soil; and chemical composition of grain from eight treatments at an experimental field site established in 1996. There were eight treatments applied to both wheat and maize seasons: a control; four inorganic fertilizers, that is, nitrogen and phosphorus (NP), nitrogen and potassium (NK), phosphorous and potassium (PK) and nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK); farm yard manure alone (FYM) and addition of FYM at two different doses (100 and 50% of recommendation) to NPK that is, NPK + FYM and ½ NPK + FYM. After 11 years of the experiment the NPK + FYM and ½ NPK + FYM treatments had the highest yields, about 5 Mg maize ha⁻¹ and 2 Mg wheat ha⁻¹ with about 2 and 0.5 Mg ha⁻¹, respectively more than the NPK treatments. The dehydrogeanse activity of soils increased significantly in FYM and ½ NPK + FYM. Except urease all other enzymatic activities were increased in those treatments, which received manure. Urease activity was higher in mineral-N applied plots. Grain protein content of both maize and wheat was highest in mineral fertilized plots. Test weight also increased significantly on application of mineral fertilizer. Plots treated with half dose of recommended mineral fertilizer along with FYM were higher in urease, phosphomono and diesterase activities than that of NPK + FYM treated plots. Long-term application of inorganic nutrients along with FYM improved grain mineral composition and yield. Inhibition of few enzymatic activities were also observed upon application of inorganic nutrients either alone or in combination.     

Long-term yield trend and sustainability of rainfed soybean–wheat system through farmyard manure application in a sandy loam soil of the Indian Himalayas

A long-term (30 years) soybean–wheat experiment was conducted at Hawalbagh, Almora, India to study the effects of organic and inorganic sources of nutrients on grain yield trends of rainfed soybean (Glycine max)–wheat (Triticum aestivum) system and nutrient status (soil C, N, P and K) in a sandy loam soil (Typic Haplaquept). The unfertilized plot supported 0.56 Mg ha⁻¹ of soybean yield and 0.71 Mg ha⁻¹ of wheat yield (average yield of 30 years). Soybean responded to inorganic NPK application and the yield increased significantly to 0.87 Mg ha⁻¹ with NPK. Maximum yields of soybean (2.84 Mg ha⁻¹) and residual wheat (1.88 Mg ha⁻¹) were obtained in the plots under NPK + farmyard manure (FYM) treatment, which were significantly higher than yields observed under other treatments. Soybean yields in the plots under the unfertilized and the inorganic fertilizer treatments decreased with time, whereas yields increased significantly in the plots under N + FYM and NPK + FYM treatments. At the end of 30 years, total soil organic C (SOC) and total N concentrations increased in all the treatments. Soils under NPK + FYM-treated plots contained higher SOC and total N by 89 and 58% in the 0–45 cm soil layer, respectively, over that of the initial status. Hence, the decline in yields might be due to decline in available P and K status of soil. Combined use of NPK and FYM increased SOC, oxidizable SOC, total N, total P, Olsen P, and ammonium acetate exchangeable K by 37.8, 42.0, 20.8, 30.2, 25.0, and 52.7%, respectively, at 0–45 cm soil layer compared to application of NPK through inorganic fertilizers. However, the soil profiles under all the treatments had a net loss of nonexchangeable K, ranging from 172 kg ha⁻¹ under treatment NK to a maximum of 960 kg ha⁻¹ under NPK + FYM after 30 years of cropping. Depletion of available P and K might have contributed to the soybean yield decline in treatments where manure was not applied. The study also showed that although the combined NPK and FYM application sustained long-term productivity of the soybean–wheat system, increased K input is required to maintain soil nonexchangeable K level.     

Effect of Continuous Application of Fertilizers,Farmyard Manure and Lime on Soil Fertility and Productivity of the Maize-Wheat System in an Acid Alfisol

A study on the long-term effect of fertilizers and amendments on crop productivity and changes in soil fertility in maize-wheat cropping system in an acid Alfisol was carried out in randomized block design (RBD) with 11 treatments. Continuous application of chemical fertilizers along with farmyard manure (FYM) or lime significantly influenced the grain and straw/stover yield and the uptake of nutrients by wheat and maize crops significantly. The organic carbon content increased from 7.9 to 12.1 g kg^?1, cation exchange capacity (CEC) from 12.1 to 14.6 cmol (p⁺) kg^?1 and available phosphorus from 21.9 to 75.2 kg ha^?1 through the integrated use of organic and fertilizers for the last 42 years while the status of available nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) declined over the years in all the treatments. Continuous application of urea alone resulted in a drastic decline in soil pH at both depths. Imbalanced use of fertilizers led to a significant reduction in the productivity of both crops and depleted the soil fertility.     

Combined N,P, K fertilization and liming maximises crop productivity of acid loams in Lithuania

Crop response to fertilization and liming was investigated in field and pot trials on sandy loam Dystric Albeluvisols (pH 4.2–4.3). Treatments in the field trial were: 1, no fertilizer; 2, PK; 3, NK; 4, NP; 5, NPK; 6, lime; 7, lime+PK; 8, lime+NK; 9, lime+NP; 10, lime+NPK. In the pot trial, they were: 1, no fertilizer; 2, N; 3, P; 4, K; 5, NP; 6, NK; 7, PK; and 8, NPK applied to unlimed and limed soils. All treatments were in four replicates. Crops sensitive to soil acidity (winter wheat, fodder beet, spring barley and clover-timothy ley) and the less acid-sensitive winter rye, potatoes, oats and lupins and oats mixture were sown in the field trial. In the pot trial, the acid-sensitive spring barley and red clover, and the less acid-sensitive oats and lupin-oats served as the test crops. Combined application of fertilizers (NPK) increased yields of crops sensitive to soil acidity in plots receiving lime by 23%, and those of crops less sensitive to soil acidity by 18% in comparison to crops grown on unlimed soils. The results of pot experiments corroborated the field results. When N was applied alone, crop yields were always higher than those recorded for P or K treatments on both the unlimed and limed treatments. N application proved to be a prerequisite for high crop yields in the soils investigated. Thus, the efficiency of P and K fertilizers increased in the order NK<NP<NPK, with the effects being accentuated more in the limed than in the unlimed treatments. The results demonstrated the importance of multi-nutrient (NPK) fertilization in combination with liming for enhancement of high crop productivity in the unlimed soil investigated. N applied alone in combination with liming produced relatively good yields; hence, where resources are limited for the purchase of P and K fertilizers, applying N and lime can be a viable option in the short term.     

Effect of short-term supply of farmyard manure on maize growth and soil parameters in pot culture

Farmyard manure (FYM) improves various soil parameters and to a large extent, the availability of water and nutrient to crops when it is applied to the soil. This study aims to further investigate the short-term effects of different levels of FYM on maize plants and soil parameters. Maize plants grown in pot culture were treated with no FYM (control), recommended NPK (inorganic fertilizers), and FYM at 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 t ha^?1 along with recommended NPK, and the cultures were analyzed 8 weeks after germination. Soil bulk density and soil pH decreased with the increasing levels of FYM, whereas soil porosity, soil organic matter (SOM), soil water content, plant height, root and shoot yield, and NPK uptake of maize were increased compared with the control or recommended NPK, respectively. The present results indicate that short-term application of higher FYM levels improves soil properties. Furthermore, the application of FYM at only higher rates significantly increases the nutrient uptake of maize plants due to improved soil properties. The supply of different amounts of nutrients increases biomass and nutrient uptake in plants.     

Long-term effects of inorganic fertilizer and farmyard manure application on productivity,sustainability and profitability of rice-wheat system in Mollisols

In this investigation, productivity, sustainability and profitability of rice-wheat system were evaluated using the data of a long-term fertility experiment initiated during 1984 at Pantnagar, Uttarakhand, India. Eight treatments (application of N, NP, PK, NK, NPK, NPK + Zn, NPK + FYM and control) were tested in randomized block design. Results revealed that application of NPK + FYM gave the highest and sustainable grain yields for rice, wheat and the system. None of the treatments except NPK + FYM was able to enhance the soil organic carbon content after 31 crop cycles over the initial level. Application of NPK + FYM was the most profitable treatment which provided the highest net return and B: C ratio for rice, wheat and the system. Trend analysis indicated that there were yield declines in all the treatments. Response to P, K and Zn in rice and wheat, and to FYM in terms of system productivity increased over the studied period. The results suggest that continuous application of NPK + FYM would sustain higher yields of rice and wheat over longer period of time with higher profits in rice-wheat system.     

Dynamics of iron under long-term application of chemical fertilizers and amendments on maize-wheat cropping sequence

Iron (Fe) is one of the essential micronutrient plays a crucial role in redox systems in cells and in various enzyme. The Fe-deficient plants have lower redox reaction and enzymatic activity. Intensive chemical fertilizer resulted in depletions of micronutrients especially Fe from the soil. To understand the dynamics of Fe under long-term fertilizer experiment the present study was initiated during 1972 at experimental farm of College of Agriculture CSK HPKV, Palampur in randomized block design with eleven treatments replicated thrice. The soil of the experimental area was silty loam, acidic in reaction and taxonomically classified as “Typic Hapludalfs.” Surface (0–20 cm) and subsurface (20–40 cm) soil samples collected after the harvest of maize (Kharif, 2008). The continuous use of chemical fertilizers and amendments for the last 36 years in maize-wheat system in an acid Alfisol brought out marked depletion in the pools of Fe as compared to buffer plots. All the pools of Fe were noticeably higher in farmyard manure (FYM) amended plots compared to zero-fertilized plots. Although, residual fraction was found to be the most dominant fraction but organically bound and exchangeable forms were found to play major role in the nutrient supply and crop productivity and nutrients’ uptake. Highest productivity of maize (2008) and wheat (2008–2009) was recorded under 100% nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK) + FYM treatment. FYM and lime treatments resulted in significantly higher uptake of all the nutrients by both the crops compared to other treatments. Organically bound fraction was found to have highest significant and positive correlation with yield and nutrient uptake of maize and wheat crops. Further, regression analysis studies too revealed that organic form was the most important pool contributing towards the variation in the above parameters. While, exchangeable and organically bound forms contributed significantly towards diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA)-extractable Fe.     

Soil boron status: impact of lime and fertilizers in an Indian long-term field experiment on a Typic Paleustalf

In Indian agriculture, nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilizers are predominantly used by the farmers, often ignoring secondary and micronutrients. Significance of boron (B) in nutrient management studies has been increasingly underlined under intensive cropping systems particularly in acid soils. In order to understand the distribution of soil native B in different fractions and their contribution to plant B uptake as influenced by nutrient management, soil samples collected after wheat (2009–2010) from a long-term experiment (LTE) continuing since 1972–1973 on Typic Paleustalf of Ranchi were subjected to sequential fractionation of soil B. Treatments included N alone, NP, NPK, 150% of recommended NPK, NPK + farmyard manure (FYM), NPK + lime, and an unfertilized-control. Five soil B fractions were determined along with hot CaCl₂-extractable (available) B. Averaged across the treatments, the soil had low organic carbon (C), pH and cation exchange capacity (CEC), and high free sesquioxides. Total B content was 21.7 mg kg^?1. Among different B fractions, residual B was the major contributor to total B and other fractions collectively shared 7% of total B only. Application of N alone depleted readily soluble, specifically adsorbed and organically bound B bringing the contents even below unfertilized-control. Conjoint use of lime or FYM with NPK increased significantly these fractions, whereas a decrease in oxide bound B was noticed under these treatments. Available B was positively correlated with these fractions indicating their significance in controlling B availability in the soil. The study revealed that use of lime or FYM helped modifying the distribution of soil B in different fractions by way of changing soil pH and organic C content, resulting in enrichment of plant available pool. A drastically low available B content in different treatments receiving fertilizers alone, however, suggested the necessity of B fertilization at prescribed rates for maintaining soil B fertility as also high crop yields.     

Long-Term Effect of Fertilizers and Amendments on Different Fractions of Organic Matter in an Acid Alfisol

The effect of fertilizers and amendments on organic matter dynamics in an acid Alfisol was studied in a long-term field experiment initiated during 1972 at experimental farm of Department of Soil Science, CSK HPKV, Palampur (India). Continuous application of chemical fertilizers either alone or in combination with farmyard manure (FYM) or lime for 42 years significantly influenced water-soluble organic carbon (WS-OC), water-soluble carbohydrate (WS-CHO), soil microbial biomass carbon, soil microbial biomass nitrogen, soil microbial biomass phosphorus, soil microbial biomass sulfur, humic acid (HA), and fulvic acid (FA). Continuous cropping without fertilization resulted in depletion to the order of 17, 21, 24, 23, 22, 26, 12, and 18% in WS-OC, WS-CHO, microbial biomass carbon, microbial biomass nitrogen, microbial biomass phosphorus, microbial biomass sulfur, HA, and FA, respectively. Different fractions of soil organic matter were found to be positively and significantly correlated with grain and straw/stover yield of wheat and maize crops.