Effect of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers on Soil Fertility and Crop Productivity under Mustard-Cowpea-Rice Cropping Sequence on Lateritic Soil of Konkan

Under the mustard-cowpea-rice cropping sequence in lateritic soils of Konkan the performance of mustard and cowpea crops in terms of grain yield productivity was highest under the treatment T₃i.e. application of 100% recommended dose of NPK through chemical fertilizers; however, in general its effects were statistically at par with those of integrated nutrient management treatment viz., T₇ [50% NPK (IF) + 50% N (M)]. The different soil fertility parameters viz., bulk density, porosity, organic carbon and available nutrients (NPK) content in soil showed significant improvement with the application of organic, inorganic and organic + inorganic sources of nutrients compared to the control treatment. The available nutrients content in soil was also slightly higher under T₇ treatment compared to only chemical fertilizers (T₃). Thus in lateritic soil of Konkan for mustard–cowpea–rice cropping sequence the integrated nutrient management practice i.e. application of 50% recommended dose of N, P₂O₅ and K₂O should be applied through chemical fertilizers and the remaining 50% recommended dose should be supplemented through manure for each crop in the cropping sequence for sustaining soil fertility and effecting savings on the chemical fertilizers. For mustard and cowpea, FYM be used as manure and for rice, Glyricidia green leaf manuring should be used.