title: Studies on long-term impact of STCR based integrated fertilizer use on pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum)-wheat (Triticum aestivum) cropping system in semi arid condition of India.
abstract: A long-term field experiment on pearl millet - wheat cropping system with soil test crop response correlation (STCR) based fertilizer application was initiated during kharif- 2003 on a sandy loam soil (Typic Halustept) at a research farm of Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi. The aim of the experiment was to study the impact of STCR based integrated fertilizer application for targeted yield of pearl millet - wheat cropping sequence yield and changes in soil health. The result showed a significant and positive impact of integrated use of the fertilizerwith FYM on productivity of the cropping sequence and soil fertility. The STCR based integrated fertilizer recommendations with FYM produced significantly higher grain and straw yields of pearl millet and wheat crops as compared to other treatments. The highest average (2003 to 2010-11) grain and straw yield of pearl millet (2.85 and 6.59 t ha(-1)) and wheat (5.32 and 7.17 t ha(-1)) was recorded with the application of STCR based integrated fertilizer recommendations (T2) for targeted level of yield 2.5 and 5.0 ha(-1), respectively. Average increase in grain and straw yield of pearl millet was 203 and 197% and 196 and 193% of wheat under T2 treatment over control (T4). After harvest of wheat crops (2010-11), the physical, biological properties and fertility status i.e. available N, P and K of soil were improved in the treatments where STCR based integrated fertilizer dose with 10 t FYM (T2) and FYM @20 t ha(-1)(T1) were applied in both the crops and were significantly higher as compared to T3 treatment except available phosphorus. Economic analysis based on average yield of eight cropping sequence (2003 to 2010-11), pearl millet - wheat cropping sequence gave maximum net return of Rs. 100,907 ha(-1) yr(-1) and total return of Rs. 64,992/ ha(-1)yr(-1) over control with STCR based integrated fertilizer recommendations (T2). It is concluded that STCR based integrated fertilizer can be adopted by the farmers of arid region for getting higher yield, profit and improving soil health.
authors.forename: V K
authors.initials: VK
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: R N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Pandey
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Sharma
mesh_terms: D000383:Agriculture / Q000379:methods*; D005308:Fertilizers; D007194:India; D031782:Pennisetum / Q000187:drug effects*; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry*; D014908:Triticum / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D005308:Fertilizers; D012987:Soil