Yield and Available Nutrient Status as Influenced by Nutrient Management Practices in Cotton

In general, soils of Namakkal district are deficient in organic carbon (71%), available nitrogen (78%), zinc (86%), boron (29.5) and sulphur (18.6%) due to lack of nutrient management practices resulting in considerable decline in soil fertility and crop productivity. Hence, on farm trials was conducted at five farmer's field during summer season, 2020. Nutrient management practices developed from TNAU, Coimbatore, 2012 and CICR, Coimbatore 2016 were tested along with farmer's practice. TNAU practice was application of FYM @ 12.5 t/ha + Biofertilizers @ 2 kg/ha + 100% RDF as per soil test + Mn mixture @12.5 kg/ha, CICR practice was FYM @ 5 t/ha and raise sunnhemp @ 15 kg/ha and in-situ incorporation in burrows within 30–45 d + Biofertilizers @ 2 kg/ha+ 100per cent RDF as per soil test + Mn mixture @ 12.5 kg/ha and farmer's practice was application of DAP @ 125 kg/ha as basal dose and complex fertilizer (17:17:17) and muriate of potash each @ 50 kg/ha@ 45 d after planting were assessed. The results revealed that CICR recommended practice recorded the highest yield of 16.39 q/ha with net return of Rs.50941 ha⁻¹ and BC ratio of 2.36. Incorporating green manure as one of the nutrient components recorded significant changes in available N status (27 kg/ha) and organic carbon (0.08%) over its initial value, thereby the farmers can save up to Rs. 6500/-ha.