International Journal of Agriculture, Environment and Biotechnology
  • Year: 2016
  • Volume: 9
  • Issue: 5

Effect of soil-test-based long-term fertilization on soil health and performance of rice crop in Vertisols of central India

  • Author:
  • P.S. Rajput, S. Srivastava, B.L. Sharma1, B. Sachidanand1, Pradip Dey, S.B. Aher, D.S. Yashona
  • Total Page Count: 6
  • Page Number: 801 to 806

1Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India

Indian Institute of Soil Science, Bhopal-462 038, Madhya Pradesh, India

*Corresponding author: poonamsingh1287@gmail.com

Online published on 4 November, 2016.

Abstract

The present investigation was carried out to study the effect of soil-test-based long-term fertilization on soil health and performance of rice crop in Vertisols of Central India. The experiment was started in 2007–08 consisting six treatments viz. Control (No fertilizers), General Recommended Dose (GRD) (12060-40), STCR based for 4 t ha−1 target, STCR based for 5.5 t ha−1 target, STCR based for 4 t ha−1 target + 5 t FYM ha−1 and STCR based for 5.5 t ha−1 target + 5t FYM ha−1 and with four replications. The crop cultivar of rice MR-219 was grown with different treatments and performance in terms of grain yield and straw yield were recorded at harvest of the crop. The soil chemical and biological properties were assessed by analyzing the soil samples after harvest of the crop collected from 0–15 cm depth. Experimental data was statistically analyzed by the standard analysis of variance technique appropriate to randomized block design to test the significance of treatment effects. The results of the study revealed that, balanced fertilization based on soil test recorded higher yield of rice over general recommended dose of fertilizers.

Similarly, soil organic carbon, available NPK and microbial activity in terms of FDA, DHAand Phosphates enzyme were also significantly enhanced under the treatments receiving STCR based recommended dose of fertilizers along with FYM. Thus, the application of fertilizers based on soil test improved the performance of rice crop along with enhanced soil organic carbon, available macronutrients and soil microbial enzyme activities as compared to the application of general recommendation of fertilizers.

• Application of fertilizers based on soil test value (STCR approach) significantly improved the yield of rice

• Application of fertilizers (STCR approach) along with FYM significantly improved soil organic carbon, soil nutrient availability and soil microbial activities.

Keywords

Rice, soil test based fertilization, soil health, STCR approach, Vertisols