Nutrient budget for jute-rice-wheat cropping system: Along term study.

Abstract

Heavy doses of fertilizers applied in multiple cropping systems lead to the loss of large amount of nitrogen (N), accumulation of phosphorus (P) in soil, and in certain soils possibly of potassium (K) also. The magnitude of accumulation, however, depends on the type of soil, nature and intensity of cropping and the amount of fertilizer added. On the other hand, the depletion of available N, P and K might take place if intensive cropping is practiced without the external supply of these nutrients to the soil. A quantitative knowledge on the depletion of plant nutrients from soils helps to understand the state of soil degradation and may be helpful in devising nutrient management strategies. Hence, sustainable management of plant nutrients requires regular monitoring of the nutrient budget in soils. Nutrient balance under jute–rice-wheat cropping system was studied after 41 years of a long term fertilizer experiment at CRIJAF