Response of linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) to INM modules

A field experiment comprising twelve modules of Integrated nutrient management was conducted for three consecutive years during rabi 2002–03 to 2004–05. The linseed crop (Shekhar) was sown during second week of November after the harvest of "Kharif" every year at Kanpur and irrigated twice at 35 and 70 days after sowing. The soil of the experimental site was silty loam in texture having low organic C (0.43%), available N (235 kg/ha), Zn (1.05 kg/ha) and S (15 kg/ha); medium available P (22 kg/ha) and K (285 kg/ha) with alkaline reaction (pH 8.08). Results revealed that yield attributes, seed yield, net monetary returns, B: C ratio and oil yield were substantially higher when linseed crop was supplied with 75% RDF + 5 t/ha FYM+ 5 kg/ha zinc + 25 kg/ha sulphur + Azotabacter and Phosphorus soiubiiising bacteria (PSB) and was on par with 75% RDF + 5 t/ha FYM+ 5 kg/ha zinc + 25 kg/ha sulphur. The same treatments enriched the soil with regard to available N, P, K, Zn and S after the harvest of last crop of linseed. Though, 75% RDF + 5 kg/ha zinc + 25 kg/ha sulphur + bio-fertlllzer was on par with above module for net monetary return but it depleted the soil with regard to available K and S. Hence, it would be advantageous to supply nutrients to linseed crop using the modules either 75% RDF + 5 t/ha FYM + 5 kg/ha zinc + 25 kg/ha sulphur + Azotobacter or 75% RDF + 5 t/ha FYM+ 5 kg/ha zinc + 25 kg/ha sulphur depending upon the availability of the inputs at command.