Bio fortification of crop residues for animal feeding in maize-wheat cropping system through integrated potassium management

A field experiment was conducted during the rainy and winter seasons of 2010–11 and 2011–12 at Indian Agriculture Research Institute, New Delhi to find out the effect of integrated potassium fertilization on yield and quality of dry fodder of maize (Zea mays L.) and wheat (Triticum aestvum L.) crops grown in sequence. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design consisted of ten treatments and replicated thrice. Results revealed that all the treatment with potassium irrespective of sources significantly increased crop residue yield in maize. The application of 60 kg K through muriate of potash + 30 kg K through farmyard manure resulted into highest crop residue yields (6.53 and 7.03 t ha⁻¹) in maize. In wheat, there was no significant difference in crop residue yields in different K treatments. In both the crops treatment applied with 60 kg K through muriate of potash + 30 kg K through farmyard manure resulted in enriched crop residues of maize and wheat crop with higher concentration of macro and micro nutrients. A strong correlation was recorded between K concentration in maize and wheat crop residues with N, P, K, Zn and Fe concentrations.