Integrated Plant Nutrient Management (IPNM) on Maize under Rainfed Condition

Abstract

Integrated use of plant nutrients aim at combined use of inorganic and organic sources of plant nutrients to improve efficiency of applied nutrients, reduce environmental hazards and improve crop productivity. A field experiment was conducted at the Research Farm of Soil Science and SWC, Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan. It was laid out according to RCBD in split-plots with three replications. The sub-plot size was 6 m x 4 m (24 m²). The wheat-maize cropping system was used to record data of two summer maize crops in under rainfed environment. There were nine treatments of integrated plant nutrient management practices. These included: control (without NPK fertilizer, FYM or biofertilizer); half of recommended NPK; full dose of recommended N-P₂O₅-K₂O (120-90-60 kg/ha); FYM @ 20 t/ha, FYM on N requirement basis + make-up dose of P/K fertilizer; ½ NPK + FYM @ 10 t/ha; ½ NPK + Biopower; ½ FYM + Biopower and ½ NPK + ½ FYM + Biopower. The significant increase in various yield attributes due to IPNM produced highest biological and grain yield of 8579 kg/ha and 3128 kg/ha in 2005; while these were recorded 8475 kg/ha and 3119 kg/ha respectively in 2006. Integrated plant nutrient treatments especially with Biopower improved NPK uptake over sole mineral/organic fertilizers. The economic analysis revealed that wheat-maize cropping system was profitable with integrated use of mineral, organic and/or biofertilizer Biopower under rainfed condition.