Impact of Enriched Biocompost Application in Integration With Chemical Fertilizers on Soil Fertility and Productivity of Rice and Wheat Crops in Rice-wheat System

Abstract

Field experiment on rice and wheat crops were conducted on sandy loam soil at Crop Research Centre ofSardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut, during 2009 to 2011. Excremental soil was low in organic carbon and available nitrogen and medium in available phosphorous and potassium with slightly alkaline pH. Sixteen treatments consisting of different NPK levels 100,125, and 150%, application of different levels of biocompost (2, 3, and 4, t ha"1 ) urea enriched or unenriched with 50 or 75 % NPK and control were tested in randomized block design with three replications. Vallabh- 21 and PBW-343 of rice and wheat respectively were grown in the experiment. Growth parameters, yield attributing characters, grain and straw yield of both the crops were affected significantly by different treatments. Nutrient assimilation at different stages by both the crops also varied significantly due to application of different treatments in the study. Rice grain yield increased significantly due to application of additional 25 % NPK over 100 % while in case of wheat this effect was found with the additional 50 % NPK. Growth parameters and yield attributing characters, improved slightly due to application of biocompost. Application of higher levels of biocompost alongwith 75 % NPK produced significantly higher grain yield of rice than T2 but such effect was not noticed in case of wheat as yields levels were at par. No significant effect of biocompost enrichment of biocompost was found although slightly higher grain yield of rice and wheat were found with the application of enriched biocompost than unenriched at particular NP.K level. Micro nutrient contents of both the crops were slightly higher due biocompost application. Availability of primary macro nutrients was slightly higher in the plots receiving super optimal application ofNPK or higher biocompost levels.