Combined Application of Zinc-Based Fertilizers and Biofertilizers Enhances Soil Fertility in Alkaline Soils of Uttar Pradesh, India

Abstract

Soil fertility is a cornerstone of sustainable agricultural productivity, particularly in regions where edaphic constraints limit crop performance. The integrated use of zinc-based fertilizers and biofertilizers offers a promising approach to address the dual challenges of micronutrient deficiency and declining soil health in alkaline soils. The study aims to evaluate the effect of zinc-based fertilizers and zinc-mobilizing biofertilizer on soil fertility under silty loam soil conditions. The field experiment was conducted during the 2022 Kharif season at the Student Instructional Farm, Acharya Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, India. The study involved eight treatments, including various combinations of recommended fertilizer dose (RDF), zinc sulphate, zinc oxide, and zinc-mobilizing bacteria (ZMB), arranged in a randomized block design with three replications. The results showed that the combined use of RDF with 5.0 kg ha⁻¹ zinc sulphate and ZMB significantly enhanced soil fertility indices, including pH, organic carbon, and available macro- and micronutrients. The application of RDF (100%) + 5.0 Zn ha⁻¹ (zinc sulphate) + biofertilizer (ZMB) recorded the highest nutrient availability (N, P, K) in the soil during post-harvest analysis.