Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management on Dry Matter Accumulation and Nutrient Uptake by Maize (Variety-MS 2) under Poplar Agroforestry System

Aims: To evaluate the influence of farmyard manure, vermicompost, mustard oil cake, poultry manure, and inorganic fertilisers (N, P, K) on maize dry matter buildup and nutrient uptake by plants, as well as to demonstrate how maize may be produced in a poplar agroforestry system.

Study Design: Randomized block design.

Place and Duration of Study: Forest Nursery, College of Forestry, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India, between July 2019 – October 2019 and July 2020 – October 2020.

Methodology: The research was laid out in Randomized Block Design replicated thrice with twelve treatments viz., T1 (Control), T2 (100% Recommended dose of fertilizer), T3 (75%) RDF), T4 (50%) RDF), T5 (75%) RDF + (25%) RDF through FYM), T6 (50%) RDF + (50%) RDF through FYM), T7 (75%) RDF + (25%) RDF through Mustard Oilcake, T8 (50%) RDF + (50%) RDF through Mustard Oilcake and T9 (75%) RDF + (25%) RDF through Vermicompost, T10 (50%) RDF + (50%) RDF through Vermicompost, T11 (75%) RDF + (25%) RDF through poultry manure and T12 (50%) RDF + (50%) RDF through poultry manure. These treatment combinations were applied prior to sowing of maize. After harvesting of maize in October, the said observations i.e. dry matter accumulation and nutrient uptake by maize plant were calculated.

Results: In the effect of twelve treatments, T9 (75% RDF + 25% N through Vermicompost) considerably influenced and recorded highest dry matter accumulation and nutrient uptake by maize, followed by T11 during two consecutive years, while T1 (control), where no fertiliser or manure was applied under a poplar agroforestry system, recorded the lowest.

Conclusion: by application of vermicompost in combination with chemical fertiliser considerably improved growth characteristics and output. All of the treatments had a considerable impact on maize growth and yield. The optimum result was found to be 75 % RDF + 25 % Vermicompost (T9) in the current study. Our results indicated that, organic fertilizer can be a superior supplement of inorganic fertilizer to produce healthier growth and yield of maize.