Integrated nutrient management in late-planted sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum)-wheat (Triticum aestivum) system in western Uttar Pradesh

A field experiment was conducted on integrated nutrient management in late-planted sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L)-wheat (Triticum aestivum L. emend. Fiori & Paoi.) system during 1995–96 to 1998–99 at Modipuram, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh. Significantly higher cane yield (56.11 tonnes/ha) was recorded with 100% NPK (N₂₀₀P₆₅K₅₅) applied ^on soil-test basis. Substitution of 25% N through pressmud and farmyard (FYM) manure resulted yield at par with 100% NPK applied through chemical fertilizers, while substitution of 25% nitrogen through pressmud, FYM or green-manuring of cowpea in plant crop of sugarcane increased the cane yield of ratoon significantly (97.90 tonnes/ha). Wheat yield was significantly higher with 100% NPK (N₁₂₀P₆₀K₄₀) applied on soil-test basis. Any curtailment of chemical fertilizer reduced the wheat yield remarkably and significantly lower wheat yield (2.70 tonnes/ha) was recorded when 25% N need of wheat was substituted by sugarcane stubbles. Quality parameters such as brix, sucrose and purity showed that application of chemical fertilizer alone reduced the value of these parameters, while combination of both chemical and organic manures improved them. Soil analysis revealed that pH of the soil decreased from initial value (8.20) with the application of fertilizers and the magnitude of decrease was more when organic sources were applied along with chemical fertilizers. Soil organic carbon (%) did not show any remarkable change, while available P₂O₆ and Kp increased with the combination of chemical fertilizer and organic source, such as pressmud, followed by FYM.