Improving Pea Growth and Nutrient Efficiency in Calcareous Soils through the Synergy of Organic Amendments and Chemical Fertilizers

Abstract

Introduction Soil fertility in Pakistan is hindered by insufficient and unstable organic matter, leading to stagnation and a decline in overall agricultural productivity. Methodology A pot study was conducted in 2018-19 comprised of four treatments including T1 = Recommended NPK fertilizer, T2 = NPK+FYM, T3 = NPK + Poultry manure, and T4 = NPK + Plant residue based on Complete Randomized Design (CRD) and was replicated thrice. Result The results exhibited significant differences in peas’ growth, yield, and nutrient use efficiency across the organic amendments. Among them, the higher plant height (70.63 cm), pod length (9.37 cm), and pod yield (158.63 g pot-1) was observed in T3 followed by T2. Regarding nutrient concentration and uptake, both T2 and T3 treatments elevated leaf tissue levels of N (4.76% and 5.03%), P (1.01% and 0.98%), and K (2.27% and 2.31%). These values were statistically comparable, accompanied by higher but non-significant P uptake (0.61 and 0.67 g pot-1) and K uptake (1.13 and 1.21 g pot-1) for the respective treatments. Further, higher nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium use efficiency (49.4, 5.20, and 42.0%) were recorded in T3 followed by T2. Together with that significantly positive correlation between soil properties and pod yield was found which reflects the nutrient-supplying power of soil under organic amendments. Conclusion Consequently, it is suggested that the joint utilization of organic additives of any source and chemical fertilizer is necessary for increasing yield and nutrient use efficiency over sole chemical fertilizer application in calcareous soils.