Integrated approach to Fertilizer Application on crop productivity and Soil Health in Degraded Jhum Cultivation in Assam

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to explore the effect of green manure, biofertilizer and inorganic fertilizer on crop productivity and nutrient status in degraded jhum soil. The treatments were made by incorporation of leafy green manure viz., Sesbania bispinosa, Crotalaria pallida, Dalbergia sissoo and Albizia procera, Rhizobium biofertilizer and standard doses of inorganic fertilizer were applied in the plot. Highest amount of crop yield and yield attributes were found in inorganic fertilizer treatment followed by biofertilizer and green manure applied plot at the initial year. Although in successive year green manure (2364.6 kg/h) and biofertilizer (2357.3 kg/h) treatment gave more yield as compared to inorganic fertilizer (1936.5 kg/h) which may be due to input of crop residue. Nutrient uptake of crop was significantly more in green manure and biofertilizer plot compared to inorganic fertilizer applied plot during consecutive year. Soil organic carbon and NPK content was remarkably more in inorganic fertilizer applied plot at the initial year, but in successive year nutrient content was relatively more in biofertilizer followed by green manure and least in inorganic fertilizer applied plot. Observation concludes that application of green manure and biofertilizer in degraded jhum land ensure steady supply of nutrient through decomposition of leafy foliage, improve soil microbe's interaction and thus recuperate soil health that ultimately leads to enhanced crop productivity.