Effect of In-situ Moisture Conservation Practices and Nitrogen Levels on Post-Harvest Soil Nutrient Status in Maize and Pigeonpea under Rainfed Alfisols

Abstract

Aim: To study the impact of in-situ moisture conservation practices and nitrogen levels on post-harvest soil nutrient status in maize and pigeonpea under rainfed Alfisols. Study Design: Double split plot design. Place and Duration of Study: Gunegal Research Farm (GRF), ICAR- Central Research Institute on Dryland Agriculture, Hyderabad during kharif season of 2022-23 and 2023-24. Methodology: A replicated trial was conducted in double split plot design with four in-situ moisture conservation practices (flatbed sowing, flatbed with CF, raised bed with CF and paired row with CF) in main plots, two crops (maize and pigeonpea) in subplots and four nitrogen levels (control, 75 % RDN, 100 % RDN and 125 % RDN) in sub-sub plots. The physico-chemical properties of soil viz., pH, EC, OC available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium were analyzed by different methods as per standard procedures. Results: The results revealed that the flatbed with CF has shown highest soil available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium than flatbed sowing and it was at par with raised bed with CF and paired row with CF. Among different crops pigeonpea recorded higher available nutrients as compared to maize. Among the nitrogen levels, 125 % RDN application recorded higher soil available nutrients than 100 % RDN, 75 % RDN and control. Conclusion: Pigeonpea with moisture conservation practices (flatbed with CF, raised bed with CF and paired row with CF) along with 125 % RDN application improves the soil chemical properties under rainfed conditions.