Integrated nutrient management in soybean (Glycine max l.)-wheat (Triticum aestivum l.) cropping sequence in lithic ustorthents of western maharashtra

A field experiment was laid out at Zonal Agricultural Research Station, Kolhapur with an objective to develop integrated nutrient management (INM) strategy for soybean-wheat cropping system on lithic Ustorthents of western Maharashtra. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design comprising eight treatments replicated thrice. The results revealed that highest grain yields of soybean (27.7 q/ha) and wheat (31.3 q/ha) were observed by RDF+FYM @ 5 t/ha. Among the different STCR-based treatments, the targeted (soybean T=25 q/ha, wheat T=30 q/ha) grain yield of soybean (24.3 q/ha) and wheat (29.3 q/ha) could be achieved when fertilized with inorganic sources. The treatment 25% N through organic+75% N through inorganic also achieved the target yields of soybean (23.8 q/ha) and wheat (27.6 q/ha) with 10% variation. Organic supplements exceeding 25% resulted in lower yields of both the crops; however, this treatment improved the soil available nutrients status of N, P and K after period of three years. Lowest grain yields of soybean (18.9 q/ha) and wheat (19.8 q/ha) were observed by 100% organic. Similar trend was followed by straw yields. Sustainable yield index (SYI) varied from 0.28 to 0.79 in soybean and 0.26 to 0.84 in wheat crop