Effect of Primary Biomethanated Spentwash on Soil Properties,Nutrient Uptake,and Yield of Wheat on Sodic Soil

The experiment on the effect of primary biomethanated spentwash (PBSW) on soil properties, nutrient uptake and yield of wheat on sodic soil was carried out at a research farm of Post Graduate Institute, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri, Maharashtra state, India, during the post-monsoon season. The experimental soil was sodic calcareous having Sawargaon series of isohyperthermic family of Vertic Haplustepts. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with nine treatments and three replications. The treatments consisted of varying doses of PBSW (100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 m³ ha^?1), absolute control, farmyard manure (FYM) 5 t ha^?1 + RDF-AST (recommended dose of fertilizer as per soil test), FYM 5 t ha^?1 + 50% GR (gypsum requirement) + RDF-AST and FYM 5 t ha^?1 + 100% GR + RDF-AST. The results revealed that the physical properties, namely bulk density and hydraulic conductivity, were improved in sodic soil due to the application of increased doses of PBSW. A significant reduction in pH, calcium carbonate and exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) and an increase in organic carbon, cation-exchange capacity (CEC) and electrical conductivity (EC) were observed in the soil, due to the addition of PBSW. The available soil nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and micronutrient iron, manganese, copper and zinc (Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn) content after the harvest of wheat was the highest in the 500 m³ ha^?1 treatment compared with all the other treatments. The exchangeable calcium (Ca²⁺), magnesium (Mg²⁺) increased significantly and exchangeable Sodium (Na⁺) reduced significantly with increased doses of PBSW. The saturation paste extract analysis also showed the same trend. A significant increase in the EC of the saturation paste of extract of the soil was observed in all PBSW treatments and it was the highest (4.75 dS m^?1) in PBSW application @ 500 m³ ha^?1. The application of PBSW @ 500, 400, 300 and 200 m³ ha^?1 resembled the treatments of FYM + gypsum @ 100 GR + RDF-AST, FYM + gypsum @ 50 GR + RDF-AST and FYM + RDF-AST, respectively, regarding the biological properties of sodic soil. The PBSW application @ 500 m³ ha^?1 had recorded the highest grain (47.33 q ha^?1) and straw (72.72 q ha^?1) yield and the maximum total uptake of N, P, K, Fe, Mn, Cu, and Zn by wheat, which was at par with the treatment of FYM (5 t ha^?1) + gypsum @ 100% GR + RDF-AST.