Effect of integrated nutrient management on some physical and chemical properties of soil in wheat crop (Triticum aestivum L.) on Mollisols of Uttarakhand under poplar based agroforestry

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted to assess the “Effect of integrated nutrient management on some physical and chemical properties of soil in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) crop on Mollisols of Uttarakhand under poplar based agroforestry” at Experimental site of Agroforestry Research Centre (old site) near Horticulture Research Centre, Patharchatta of G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar during the month of November to April, 2017-18. The experiment was laid in Randomized Complete Block Design comprising of nine nutrient treatments (chemical fertilizers and its substitution with organics) replicated thrice. The different treatment combinations did not show any significant change on soil reaction, electrical conductivity but enhanced the available nutrient content of soil. Minimum pH values were observed under T9 (7.16) followed by T7 (7.22) while the highest was under T1 (7.33). An application of nutrients through fertilizer alone and along with FYM and with/or VC had non-significant influence on soil EC at surface (0-15 cm). With integrated nutrient management program, soil physical properties were enhanced. Maximum available N in top soil was in T9 (254.10 kg ha-1), available phosphorus (22.05 kg ha-1) and available potassium (228.67 kg ha-1) content of soil after harvest of wheat crop.