Integrated Nutrient Management for Sustaining rabi Sorghum Yield, Economics and Soil Fertility on Inceptisol under Dryland Condition

Studies were undertaken to know the response of rabi sorghum to Zn as limiting nutrient on Inceptisol under dryland condition at Zonal Agricultural Research Station, Solapur during the rabi season 2007–08 to 2011–12. Application of FYM @ 5 t/ha along with recommended dose of fertilizer (50 kg N + 25 kg P₂O₅/ha) + Zn @ 10 kg/ha) recorded significantly higher grain and stover yield (13.04 and 35.0 q/ha) and was at par with as per soil test (75 kg N + 31 kg P₂O₅/ha + Zn @ 15 kg/ha as ZnSO₄) and as per soil test (75 kg N + 31 kg P₂O₅/ha) treatments. The maximum values of organic carbon (0.60%) and available N (138 kg/ha) were recorded under FYM @ 5 t/ha + recommended dose of fertilizer (50 kg N + 25 kg P₂O₅/ha + Zn @ 10 kg/ha as ZnSO₄) while, soil available P (17.11 kg/ha), available K (661 kg/ha) and DTPA extractable Zn (0.78 mg/kg) were maximum under as per soil test (75 kg N + 31 kg P₂O₅/ha + Zn @ 15 kg/ha as ZnSO₄) treatment. The highest net return ( 46342/ha) were recorded with highest B:C ratio (3.37) in as per soil test (75 kg N + 31 kg P₂O₅/ha + Zn @ 15 kg/ha as ZnSO₄) treatment probably due to use of only inorganic source of fertilizers which reduced the cost of production as compared to both organic and inorganic sources in conjunction.