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The present investigation was carried out to study the effect of integrated nutrient management on yield of kharif sorghum genotypes and soil fertility during 2007-08. The experiment was laid out in factorial randomized block design with two genotypes, eight treatments and three replications. The treatments consisted of two genotypes viz., SPH-840 and SPV-669, full (80:40:40 NPK kg ha-1) and half recommended dose of inorganic fertilizers alone and in combination with FYM and Azotobacter used as seed treatment. The results indicated that maximum grain yield was recorded in the genotype SPH-840, while, genotype SPV-669 recorded higher fodder yield. Significantly higher grain yield and fodder yield were recorded with the application of 100% RDF. However, application of 7.5 t FYM ha-1 + 50 per cent RDF (T6) was also found beneficial followed by 100% RDF in respect of grain and fodder yield and available N, P and K status of soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long-term fertilizer experiments were conducted on cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) for 21 years with eight fertilizer treatments in a fixed site during 1987–2007 to identify an efficient treatment to ensure maximum yield, greater sustainability, monetary returns, rainwater-use efficiency, and soil fertility over years. The results indicated that the yield was significantly influenced by fertilizer treatments in all years except 1987 1988, and 1994. The mean cotton yield ranged from 492 kg ha−1under the control to 805 kg ha−1under 25 kg nitrogen (N) [farmyard manure (FYM)] + 25 kg N (urea) + 25 kg phosphorus (P) ha−1. Among the nutrients, soil N buildup was observed with all treatments, whereas application of 25 kg N + 12.5 kg P ha−1exhibited increase in P status. Interestingly, depletion of potassium (K) was recorded under all the fertilizer treatments as there was no K application in any of the treatments. An increase in soil N and P increased the plant N and P uptake respectively. Using relationships of different variables, principal component (PC) analysis technique was used for assessing the efficiency of treatments. In all the treatments, five PCs were found significant that explained the variability in the data of variables. The PC model of 25 kg N (FYM) + 25 kg N (urea) + 25 kg P ha−1explained maximum variability of 79.6% compared to other treatments. The treatment-wise PC scores were determined and used in developing yield prediction models and measurement of sustainability yield index (SYI). The SYI ranged from 44.4% in control to 72.7% in 25 kg N (FYM) + 25 kg N (urea) + 25 kg P ha−1, which attained a mean cotton yield of 805 kg ha−1over years. Application of 25 kg N (FYM) + 25 kg N (urea) + 25 kg P ha−1was significantly superior in recording maximum rainwater-use efficiency (1.13 kg ha−1mm−1) and SYI (30.5%). This treatment also gave maximum gross returns of Rs. 30272 ha−1with benefit–cost ratio of 1.60 and maintained maximum organic carbon and available N, P, and K in soil over years. These findings are extendable to cotton grown under similar soil and agroclimatic conditions in any part of the world. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The present investigation was conducted during 2010-11 to study the effect of tillage and integrated plant nutrient supply strategies on productivity of rainfed cotton and soil quality indicators in Vertisols at Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola. The experiment was laid out in a factorial randomized block design and replicated thrice with two factors viz., tillage (conventional and conservation) and integrated nutrient management which included incorporation of FYM, crop residues, in situ green manuring of sunhemp, glyricidia leaf manuring in combination with 50 per cent inorganic fertilizers and 100% RDF (80:40:40 kg N, P2O5 and K2O ha-1). The results indicated that numerically higher seed cotton yield with slight improvement in physical and chemical properties were observed under conservation tillage, whereas a significant improvement in soil biological properties were observed in conservation tillage compared to conventional tillage. The application of 100% RDF recorded highest seed cotton yield followed by 50% N either through FYM or in situ green manuring + 50% RDF which were at par with each other. The integrated use of 50% RDF + 50% N through FYM recorded highest availability of NPK, improvement in physical as well as biological properties of soil. Hence, the conjunctive use of FYM, crop residue, in situ green manuring and glyricidia leaf manuring along with 50% RDF under conservation tillage was found beneficial in improving physical, chemical and biological indicators and productivity of cotton grown in Vertisols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was conducted to assess the long term effects of fertilizers and FYM on physical properties and crop productivity after 19th cycle of sorghum-wheat cropping sequence in a Vertisol. The combined use of inorganic fertilizers (100 % NPK) along with FYM @ 10 t ha-1 significantly improved the bulk density, hydraulic conductivity, available water capacity, water stable aggregates and coefficient of linear extensibility of soil and yield of crops. Total productivity (sorghum + wheat) was found to be positively correlated with these properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]