Indian Journal of Agronomy

A field experiment was conducted at New Delhi to investigate the response of maize (Zea mays L.) – wheat [Triticum aestivum (L.) emend. Fiori & Paol.] cropping system to different nutrient-management practices during 2003–04 and 2004–05. The highest leaf-area index (LAI), yield attributes and yield of maize were recorded with the application of 120 kg N + 26.2 kg P + 41.5 kg K/ha, closely followed by 120 kg N + 5 kg Zn + 10 t FYM/ha. The LAI, yield attributes and yield of wheat were found maximum at the residual fertility of 5 kg Zn + 20 t FYM/ha. Wheat gave 22.7% more yield at residual fertility of 5 kg Zn + 20 t FYM/ha. The data on maize-wheat system indicated that when 120 kg N + 5 kg Zn/ha was applied with 10 t FYM/ha, production efficiency (46.0 kg/ha-day), total productivity (10.8 t/ha), net returns (Rs 46,784/ha) and benefit: cost ratio (2.17) were the maximum. The Zn uptake by maize and wheat was the highest at 120 kg N + 5 kg Zn + 10 t FYM/ha and 5 kg Zn + 20 t FYM/ha, respectively. Except available P at 60 kg N + 10 t FYM/ha, 5 kg Zn + 10 t FYM/ha and 5 kg Zn + 20 t of FYM/ha, all the nutrients increased in the soil at different fertility levels. Higher residual organic C and available N, P, K and Zn in the soil were obtained with 5 kg Zn + 20 t FYM/ha. It was concluded that combined application of 120 kg N + 5 kg Zn +10 t FYM/ha was essential for higher productivity and profitability of maize – wheat cropping system.