Residual Effect of Applied Nutrients to Potato on Succeeding Spring Maize (Zea Mays L.)

Abstract

The present investigation was conducted on maize crop in spring season of 2019-20 at the Crop Research Centre, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture & Technology, Meerut-250110. The soil of experimental field was sandy loam in texture and slightly alkaline in reaction. The soil was low in available nitrogen and sulphur, medium in phosphorus, potassium. The experiment consisting 13 treatments in previous potato crop viz T1 (RDF NPK and S (Common fertilizers), T2(RDF N and P (no-K, no-S) (Common fertilizers), T3 (RDF NP and S (no-K)( Common fertilizers), T4(RDF NP and K (no-S)( Common fertilizers),T5 (RDF NP and 50% of RDF K by POLY-4), T6 (RDF NP +100% POLY-4),T7 (RDF NP and 150% of RDF K by POLY-4),T8(RDF NP+ 50% of RDF K by MOP+50% of RDF S equal to T5 by Bentonite),T9 (RDF NP+ 100% of RDF K by MOP+100% of RDF S equal to T6 by Bentonite ), T10(RDF NP+ 150% of RDF K by MOP+150% of RDF S equal to T7 by Bentonite), T11 (RDF NP and 25% K by MOP + 75% by POLY-4),T12 (RDF NP and 50% K by MOP + 50% by POLY-4),T13(RDF NP and 75% K by MOP + 25% by POLY-4) was laid out in randomized block design with three replication. The maize was grown in the same layout. Only 75% of recommended dose of N & P was applied in maize crop to observe the residual effect of previously applied nutrients. All the growth attributes yield attributes, nutrient content and uptake, soil fertility level and economic feasibility were assessed. The findings of experiment revealed that the growth attributes like plant height, functional leaves per plant, chlorophyll content (SPAD Value) and yield attributes i.e. grain yield was maximum with application of RDF NP and 150% of RDF K by POLY-4 (T7) followed by RDF NP and 25% K by MOP + 75% by POLY-4 (T11) applied in previous crop. Polyhalite was superior over common fertilizer MOP. Soil fertility level in respect to residual nutrients and other chemical properties was improved with application of POLY-4 (polyhalite) with the combination of MOP and also maintain the fertility level with higher yield. The highest net return and B:C ratio was obtained in T7 with the application of RDF NP and 150% of RDF K by POLY-4. Residual effect varied due to source of potassium application and polyhalite was found better than MOP. Super optional application of K to preceding crop resulted in more residual effect therefore it may be concluded that nutrient management should be consider on cropping sequence basis rather than single crop and polyhalite may be a good source for potassium