Effect of Integrated Use of Organic Manures and Chemical Fertilizers under Soil Test Crop Response Approach on Soil Properties and Yield of Maize (Zea mays L.)

A field experiment was conducted at Crop Research Centre, G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, during kharif 2019 to study the effect of integrated use of organic manures and chemical fertilizers under STCR approach on physico-chemical, biological properties of soil and yield of maize crop in a Mollisol. The experiment comprised of 9 treatments replicated thrice. The treatment details were Control (no fertilizers), RDF, STCR (inorganic mode), STCR INM mode, 75% STCR dose of N (inorganic mode) + Green manure, 50% STCR dose of N (inorganic mode) + Green Manure, 75% RDN + Green Manure, 50% RDN + Green Manure and FYM + Green Manure + Intercropping with urd. The lowest yield and soil properties were observed under control. The highest water holding capacity (63.20%), available N (183.98 kg ha-1), available P (28.94 kg ha-1), microbial biomass carbon (335.35 µg/g soil) and urease enzyme activity (30.06 µg urea/g soil/h) was observed under T4 (STCR INM mode). The highest organic carbon (0.99%), available K (200.85 kg ha-1) and dehydrogenase activity (223.60 µgTPF/gsoil/day) was observed under T5 (75% STCR dose of N (inorganic mode) + Green manure). The highest maize yield was observed under T4 (STCR INM mode). Therefore, the present investigation clearly reveals the significance of balanced and efficient utilization of resources under STCR approach on soil and crop productivity of maize crop.