Integrated impact of farm manure and nitrogen fertilizer on soil health and maize crop yield in Pakistan

Jehan, Sarvet and M.A. Farooq
Michigan State University

Presented at the All Scientist Meeting and Investigators Field Tour (2017-10-06 to 2017-10-07 )

Soil fertility is one of the important elements of agricultural productivity, it can be supplemented by organic and inorganic fertilization. A field experiment was conducted at Research Area, Institute of Soil and Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan on a sandy clay loam soil to evaluate the impact of farm manure (FM) and nitrogen (N) levels on soil carbon sequestration, soil properties and maize yield. Three manure levels (0, 5 and 10 t ha-1) and 3 nitrogen levels (140, 160 and 180 kg ha-1) were applied. Farm manure levels were kept in main plot, while nitrogen levels in subplots. Phosphorus and potassium were applied at recommended dose at sowing time, while nitrogen was applied in splits. Results showed that combined application of farm manure and nitrogen levels had significant effect on plant population, plant height, cob length, grain yield and N, P, K contents due to proper nutrient availability. Among all combinations, best results were shown by application of FM at the rate of 10 t ha-1 and N at the rate of 180 kg ha-1. Manure application was also effective to improve soil physical properties with all nitrogen levels. Soil carbon is a key indicator of soil health and significant buildup of soil organic carbon was observed under high rate of manure application. It was concluded that integrated use of farm manure and nitrogen levels significantly improves soil carbon sequestration, soil properties and maize yield.

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