Long-Term Impact of Inorganic Fertilizers and Manures on Maize Yield and Soil Nutrient Status in a Calcareous Inceptisol in India

Abstract

Long Term Fertilizer experiment was initiated to monitor the continuous manuring and fertilization under intensive cropping changes in soil properties concerning to physical, chemical and biological characteristics and crop productivity. The experimental soil belongs to sandy clay loam soil (Vertic Ustropept) with ten different nutrient management practices followed and replicated thrice by the adoption of Randomised Block Design (RBD). Continuous use of inorganic fertilizer along with Farmyard manure (FYM) could increase the soil nutrients such as KMnO4 – Nitrogen, Olsen – Phosphorous and NNH4OAc – Potassium over five decades. The results revealed that the use of inorganic fertilizer conjoint with FYM at 10t ha-1significantly increased the kernel yield of maize by18.1% and 20.3% higher than 150% NPK and 100% NPK plots in sandy clay loam soil. The important indicator for soil fertility concern is Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) and the build-up of SOC was found in NPK+FYM at 10t ha-1 treatment recorded from 3.0 g kg-1 (1972) to 7.8 g kg-1 (2023). Soil fertility status of the experiment after 50 years had reported as medium in KMnO4- N, medium to high in Olsen - P, high in NNH4OAc - K and medium in SOC status in an Inceptisol. From the study, revealed that, the application of inorganic fertilizer along with FYM at 10 t ha-1 achieved a greater yield and better soil health in a sustainable manner.