Effect of 36 Years of Continuous Cropping and Fertilization on Productivity, Micro and Secondary Nutrient Status and Uptake by Maize-wheat Cropping System in Western Himalayas

A study was conducted during 2008–09 to assess the changes in the soil status of secondary and micronutrients and micronutrients uptake by maize-wheat cropping system after 36 years of fertilizer use at CSKHPKV, Palampur, Himachal Pradesh, India. The exchangeable Ca and Mg and available S varied from 1.47–6.63, 0.17–0.52 c mol (p⁺) kg⁻¹, 11.6–26.0 kg ha⁻¹, respectively. An overall decline in exchangeable Ca and Mg status was observed as compared to its initial value in all the treatments over the years except in lime treatment where a build-up in Ca content was noticed. The available S status increased in all the treatments except control and 100% N as compared to its initial value. DTPA-extractable micronutrients in general showed a decline from its initial level except for Cu where a noticeable build-up has been observed. All the DTPA-extractable micronutrients were higher in FYM treated plots except DTPA-Zn being highest in 100% NPK+Zn treatment. The highest grain and stover/straw yields of maize and wheat were obtained in 100% NPK+FYM treatment (13.9 and 9.7 t ha⁻¹, respectively) followed by 100% NPK+lime (mention yield 13.24 and 8.82 t ha⁻¹, respectively), both being at par. Total uptake of Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu ranged from 62.9–2223.1, 17.4–986.6, 11.5–701.5 and 20.1–715.8 g ha⁻¹, respectively by maize and from 197.4–1473.2, 112.2 -956.1, 44.1–395.0 and 69.4–586.0 g ha⁻¹, respectively by wheat under different treatments.