Dynamics of Soil Physicochemical and Biological Properties Under Integrated Nutrient Management in Maize-grown Vertisols

Authors

  • Urmila Choudhary Dept. of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, SKRAU, Bikaner, Rajasthan (334 006), India
  • R. K. Yadav Agricultural Research Station, Kota (Agriculture University, Kota, Rajasthan (324 001), India
  • V. K. Yadav Agricultural Research Station, Kota (Agriculture University, Kota, Rajasthan (324 001), India
  • M. K. Sharma Agricultural Research Station, Kota (Agriculture University, Kota, Rajasthan (324 001), India
  • K. M. Sharma Agricultural Research Station, Kota (Agriculture University, Kota, Rajasthan (324 001), India
  • S. L. Yadav Agricultural Research Station, Kota (Agriculture University, Kota, Rajasthan (324 001), India
  • H. P. Meena Agricultural Research Station, Kota (Agriculture University, Kota, Rajasthan (324 001), India
  • J. P. Tetarwal Agricultural Research Station, Kota (Agriculture University, Kota, Rajasthan (324 001), India
  • C. K. Jadon Agricultural Research Station, Kota (Agriculture University, Kota, Rajasthan (324 001), India
  • Sarita Kumari Dept. of Soil Science & Agri. Chemistry, C.P.C.A., Sardarkrushinagar, Dantiwada Agriculture University, Gujarat (385 506), India
  • Barkha Kumari Verma Dept. of Soil Science & Agri. Chemistry, Sri Karan Narendra Agriculture University, Jobner, Jaipur, Rajasthan (303 329), India
  • Punita Dhankar Dept. of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, SKRAU, Bikaner, Rajasthan (334 006), India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.23910/2/2026.7215a

Keywords:

STCR, biofertilizer, integrated nutrient management and farm yard manure

Abstract

The experiment was conducted in July 2023 at Research Farm, Agricultural Research Station, Ummedganj- Kota, Rajasthan, India. The experiment consisted ten treatment combination: T1: Absolute control, T2: 100% RDF, T3: STCR (Soil test crop response), T4: 50% RDF (Recommended dose of Fertilizer)+50% FYM (Farm yard manure), T5: 100% FYM, T6: 50% RDF+50% poultry manure, T7: 100% Poultry manure, T8: 100% RDF+Biofertilizer (Azotobacter+PSB), T9: 50% RDF+50% FYM+Biofertilizer (Azotobacter+Phosphate solubilizing bacteria) and T10: 50% RDF+50% poultry manure+Biofertilizer (Azotobacter+Phosphate solubilizing bacteria) was laid out in randomized block design with three replications. Maize hybrid variety PHM-3 was used as the test crop. The soil-test crop response (STCR) approach, which is currently gaining importance for sustainable nutrient management, aims to adjust fertilizers for the desired yield based on soil-test values. The STCR-based experiment was conducted for the desired maize production targets in shallow black (Vertisols) soil. The application of fertilizer through the STCR recorded the highest available nitrogen (256.5 kg ha-1), phosphorus (27.41 kg ha-1) and potassium (386.5 kg ha-1). The highest micronutrient content (Zn, Cu, Fe, and Mn) was recorded in T7 (100% poultry manure). The application of 100% FYM (T5) resulted in the highest physico-chemical and biological properties viz., organic carbon, cation exchange capacity, water holding capacity, microbial population (bacteria: 6.60 108 cfu g-1 soil, fungal: 17.37 104 cfu g-1 soil and actinomycetes: 5.42 104 cfu g-1 soil) and enzyme activities (alkaline phosphatase: 21.02 μg p-nitrophenol g-1 soil h-1, dehydrogenase: 23.69 μg TPF g-1 soil 24 h-1 and urease: 6.79 µg NH4N g-1 soil h-1) respectively.

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Published

08-09-2026

How to Cite

Choudhary, U., Yadav, R. K., Yadav, V. K., Sharma, M. K., Sharma, K. M., Yadav, S. L., … Dhankar, P. (2026). Dynamics of Soil Physicochemical and Biological Properties Under Integrated Nutrient Management in Maize-grown Vertisols . International Journal of Economic Plants, 13(Sep, 5), 01–06. https://doi.org/10.23910/2/2026.7215a

Issue

Vol. 13 No. Sep, 5 (2026)

Section

Articles

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Copyright (c) 2026 PP House

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