Integrated Effect of Enriched Compost and Fertilizer on Yield and Uptake of Micronutrient by Maize (Zea Mays L.)

Field experiments were conducted for four kharif seasons in the years 2003 to 2006 to study the influence of nitrogen fortified crop residue compost on the grain and straw yield and total uptake of micronutrients viz., Zn, Cu, Mn and Fe by maize and their available status in soil at harvest. Nitrogen was supplied @ 120 kg ha⁻¹ from compost or urea or both in combinations in three ratios 4:1, 3:2 and 1:1. The grain yield in various treatments increased from 66.5 to 80.6% over control during the four years. The maximum grain yield (35.4 to 38.8 q ha⁻¹) was noticed with the combined application of N through compost and urea in 1:1 ratio in all the four years. Among all the treatments, 1:1 ratio had maximum total uptake of micronutrients which showed an increase from 30.29 to 55.94% for Zn, 27.42 to 37.36% for Cu, 20.64 to 32.73% for Mn and 19.61 to 35.42% for Fe over the treatment where N was applied through urea alone in all the four years of experimentation. The treatments comprised of compost alone and its combinations with urea i.e. 4:1 and 3:2 were intermediate in effect in relation to grain yield and uptake of micronutrients. Moreover, increasing proportion of N through compost from 50 to 100% resulted in proportionate increase in the build up of available micronutrients in soil.