Effect of fertilizers and organic manures on soil properties under maize (Zea mays L.) crop

Abstract

A field experiment entitled “Effect of Fertilizers and Organic Manures on Soil Properties under Maize (Zea mays L.) Crop” was conducted on clay loam soils at Instructional Farm, Rajasthan College of Agriculture, Udaipur during Kharif 2023. The experiment consisted of 16 treatment combinations comprises of four fertility levels (control, 50% RDF, 75% RDF and 100% RDF) in main plots and four levels of organics (control, biochar @ 4 t ha-1, FYM @ 5 t ha-1 and biochar @ 4 t ha-1 + FYM @ 5t ha-1 in sub plots. These 16 combinations were evaluated under Split Plot Design (SPD) with three replications during the Kharif season of 2023 where the impact of different fertility levels and organic manures application on soil properties under maize (Zea mays L.) crop was carried out. Results revealed that application of 100% RDF with biochar (4 t ha-1) + FYM (5 t ha-1) had a significant effect on soil chemical (EC, OC, available NPK) and biological properties including soil microbial population (bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes) and enzymatic activities (dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphate activity).