Journal of the Indian Society of Soil Science

A field experiment was conducted on maize-mustard cropping sequence during kharif and rabi season of 2022-23 at Experimental Farm of the Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi. Phosphorus enriched organo-mineral compost (PEOMC) and sulphur enriched organo-mineral compost (SEOMC) were prepared by composting rice straw with rock phosphate and gypsum, respectively in the ratio of 1:10 (w:w basis) in a separate cemented pit. Cellulose decomposing fungi (Trichoderma viride) @ 50 g per 100 kg each (0.05%, w:w) in powder form was also added in rice straw. A set of 16 treatments consisted of 4 levels of recommended dose of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) fertilizers (RDF)- F₀ (0%), F₁ (50%), F₂ (75%) and F₃ (100%), 4 levels of PEOMC and SEOMC)- EC₀ (0 t ha^-1), EC₁ (PEOMC @ 5.0 t ha^-1), EC₂ (SEOMC @ 5.0 t ha^-1) and EC₃ (PEOMC @ 2.5 t ha^-1 + SEOMC@ 2.5 t ha^-1). These treatments were laid out in a factorial randomized block design with three replication. The POMEC and SOMEC were applied only in maize while recommended dose of N, P and K fertilizers were applied in both direct maize and residual mustard grown in a cropping sequence. The RDF for maize and mustard as per the treatments were applied (150:60:80 and 80:60:40 kg ha^-1 N, P₂O₅ and K₂O) in the form of urea, diammonium phosphate and muriate of potash, respectively. The highest grain yield of maize (44.6 q ha^-1) and mustard (22.0 q ha^-1) were recorded in conjoint application of each PEOMC and SEOMC @ 2.5 t ha^-1 along with 100% RDF (EC₃ and F₃) over absolute control (EC₀ and F₀). Combined effect of PEOMC and SEOMC and RDF level showed positive interaction on grain/seed quality (protein and oil content) and nutrients uptake (N, P, K and S) by maize and mustard crops. The SEOMC performed better in the residual mustard crop than PEOMC.