Impact of Nutrient Management Technologies on Soil Physico-chemical Properties, Yield and Economics of Mustard under Irrigated Condition of Chandauli District, Uttar Pradesh, India

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted in Jharigawan village, Naugarh block in Chandauli district during 2023–2024 to assess yield, soil, plant and fertilizer nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK) nutrient relationships and calibrate optimum fertilizer doses for attaining yield targets. The fertilizer adjustment equations are derived by the All India Coordinated Research Project, Institute of Agricultural Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi centre. Results revealed that targeted yield of mustard (20 q ha-1) have been achieved by using the plant nutrients on the basis of targeted yield concept (soil test crop response technology). The percent increase in yield was 33.10 % in first location, 34.54 % in second location and 31.27 % in third location over Farmers practice i.e. the fertilizer doses the farmers generally applied in the area which was 15.51, 15.20 and 15.35 q ha-1, respectively. The maximum net returns of mustard first location (Rs.54280.54), second location (Rs.54630.54) and third location (Rs.56030.50) were obtained in treatment where plant nutrients applied as per soil test value (STCR treatment). This technology also maintained the soil available plant nutrients. Thus, for obtaining maximum gain and sustain the soil fertility, application of plant nutrients as per soil test value (STCR technology) is essential. The fertilizer doses were validated for attaining yield targets of 20 q ha-1 in farmer’s fields. Mustard yield within 10% deviation was attained, which indicated that soil test based fertilizer dose was superior. This approach could be adopted for regions with similar soil and agro-climatic conditions in other parts of the world to increase Mustard yields.