Soil Chemical Properties under Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) as Affected by Soil Test Crop Response (STCR)-Based Nutrient Management in Vertisols

Abstract

Wheat productivity is often limited by declining soil fertility and imbalanced nutrient use, highlighting the need for soil test–based, site-specific fertiliser management to improve nutrient use efficiency and sustain yield. A field experiment was carried out during the Rabi seasons of 2020–21 and 2021–22 at the research farm of Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh. The study aimed to assess the long-term effects of Soil Test Crop Response (STCR)-based nutrient management on soil chemical properties under wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivation in Vertisols. The experiment was laid out in a randomised block design with four replications and included six treatments comprising control, general recommended dose (GRD), STCR-based target yield levels (4.5 and 6.0 t ha⁻¹), and their integration with FYM @ 5 t ha⁻¹. The results revealed that different nutrient management practices had a significant influence on soil organic carbon and available nutrient status (N, P, K and S), while soil pH and electrical conductivity showed non-significant variation. A consistent improvement in soil chemical properties was observed with increasing levels of nutrient application and integration of organic manure. The combined application of NPK fertilisers with FYM was found to be more effective in enhancing soil fertility compared to sole chemical fertiliser application. Among all treatments, the target yield of 6.0 t ha⁻¹ + FYM @ 5 t ha⁻¹ recorded the highest values of soil organic carbon and available N, P, K and S. The study concluded that long-term STCR-based integrated nutrient management is a sustainable approach for improving soil chemical health and maintaining soil fertility in Vertisols under wheat-based cropping systems.