Soil biochemical properties and grain quality as affected by organic manures and mineral fertilizers in soil under maize-wheat rotation

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted in a Typic Haplustept of semiarid sub-tropical India to evaluate the effect of value added manures and fertilizers on soil health, grain quality and enzyme activities under maize-wheat rotation. Eight treatments consisting of three organic manures (vermicompost, NADEP compost and farm yard manure) and fertilizers in different combinations were applied. The highest dehydrogenase activity (18.87 and 17.97 µg triphenylformazan g-1 soil h-1 in maize and wheat, respectively) was reflected under integrated application of organic and fertilizers, whereas the highest urease activity (7.76 and 9.43 µg urea g-1 h-1 in maize and wheat, respectively) was observed in 100% NPK. Application of 50% NPK along with organic manures significantly improved grain yield and mineral composition. Grain protein content and weight of maize and wheat were higher under integrated nutrient management and 100% NPK. Microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen were significantly influenced by various nutrient management practices during different physiological stages of crop growth.