Productivity and balance sheet of potassium in soil as affected by nutrient management under pearlmillet-mustard cropping system

Abstract

The present investigation aimed to see the effect of different nutrient combination with or without farmyard manure on productivity, potassium uptake and its balance sheet in alluvial soil under pearl millet-mustard cropping system. The investigations revealed that the maximum economic yield of both crops obtained in 100% NPK + 10 t FYM ha-1 Yr-1 treatment (2174.3 and 2236.8 kg ha-1 in pearl millet and mustard, respectively) which was statistically at par with 150% NPK and 100% NPK + 25 kg ZnSO4 ha-1 Yr-1 treatments. Application of either 150% NPK or 100% NPK+ 10 t FYM ha-1 Yr-1 showed statistically at par K-uptake by grain and stover of both crops under study which was significantly higher as compared to 100% NPK treatments. A declining trend (-3.8 to 27.0 kg ha-1) was observed either without K (Control, 100% N & 100% NP) or less amount-K (50 & 75% NPK) applied treatment as compared to initial level of available K status which indicates considerable mining of available K in these treatments under pearlmillet-mustard cropping system.