Soil test crop response based nutrient management modules for enhancing growth, productivity, profitability and nutrient uptake of maize in an acid alfisol of north-western Himalayas

Soil test crop response based nutrient management modules could be extremely useful for prescribing fertilizer doses to achieve desired productivity and better soil health. The present Soil Test Crop Response (STCR) study was carried out on hybrid maize where in seven approaches of fertilization were evaluated in RBD. The experiment was conducted at the experimental farm of CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur, India during kharif, 2019. The maize growth, yield, nutrient uptake, and economics was computed. The maize growth, yield and its attributes, nutrient uptake, profit, and grain quality improved under the influence of different treatments and maximum value for measured variables was recorded in STCR based IPNS treatment of 40 q ha⁻¹ and minimum in control. It was concluded from the current study that IPNS-STCR approach improved maize productivity and profitability in the western Himalayan region. This will immensely help resource poor farmers not only increasing yield but also reduce the cost of cultivation by increasing fertilizer use efficiency and saving costly fertilizers.