Effect of potassium and sulphur nutrient management on nutrient balance, efficiency and disease index in jute-rice-chickpea sequence

Abstract

Field experiment was conducted for 2 years (1998 to 1999 and 1999-2000) at Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya (23° N, 89° E and 9.75 m AMSL) in sandy clay loam Entisol with pH 7.4, 0.52% organic carbon, 0.065% total N and 16.8, 198 and 16.5 kg of P, K and S ha-1, respectively. The highest AE (l l.73) resulted in the highest AE (11.73) in treatment receiving 8, 12 and 6 kg K ha-1 for jute-rice chickpea. Whereas, the highest PE was 13.22 with 16, 24 and 12 kg K ha-1 along with 20 kg S ha-1 for all the crops in sequence. The RF was the highest (0.89) with 8, J 2 and 6 kg of K ha-1. The maximum improvement in soil nutrient status as compared to the initial values ( + 197, + 14.6, + 6.9 and + 2.3 kg ha-1 for N, P, K and S, respectively), was observed with highest doses of K (16, 24 and 12 kg ha-1) and S (40 kg ha-1 ) in all the crops. The maximum positive balance of N (444.2 kg ha-1) was observed with 16, 24 and 12 kg K ha-1 and maximum K balance (577.4 kg ha-1) was maintained with 8, 12 and 6 kg K ha-1 along with 20 kg S ha-1. There was negative correlation between plant K content and percentage of diseased plants were (r = -0.688, -0.882 and -0.926 for jute, rice and chickpea, respectively). In contrast, the K content of plants was positively correlated with crop yield (r = 0.947, 0.847 and 0.886 for jute, rice and chickpea, respectively). Balanced nutrition of K along with S is required for higher PE. For achieving highest AE and RF in this sequence of jute-rice-chickpea, addition of K is required and external application of S may be avoided. Regarding positive nutrient balance, improvement in yield and reduction in disease incidence in jute-rice-chickpea sequence, application of S (20 kg ha-1) along with K is needed in the lower Gangetic alluvium of West Bengal.