Response of Crop Growth and Yield to Long-term Fertilization and Manuring in Inceptisols of Western Maharashtra under a Soybean & Wheat Cropping System

Abstract

The present investigation was undertaken during the year 2023–24 (8th cycle) at the Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth (MPKV), Rahuri, to evaluate the long-term effects of integrated nutrient applications on a soybean–wheat in Inceptisol. The long-term field experiment was initiated with the objective of developing a suitable integrated nutrient supply and management system for sustaining productivity under this cropping system. The experimental layout followed a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with 12 treatments replicated four times. The treatments consisted of different levels of the Recommended Dose of Fertilizers (RDF) at 50%, 75%, and 100%, in combination with various organic inputs namely farmyard manure (FYM), wheat cut straw (WCS), and green manure (GM) applied during the Kharif season. In the Rabi season, only chemical fertilizers were applied at different RDF levels without organic amendments. Among the treatments, the application of 50% nitrogen through FYM along with 50% RDF during Kharif and 75% RDF during Rabi (T6) recorded significantly higher grain yields of soybean (3092 kg ha-1) and wheat (3535 kg ha-1). These yields were statistically at par with those obtained under T10 (50% N through GM + 50% RDF) and T5 (100% NPK). Furthermore, treatment T6 also exhibited a significant positive influence on the growth and yield attributes of both soybean and wheat, indicating its effectiveness in enhancing crop performance in the Inceptisol soils of Western Maharashtra.