Influence of integrated nutrient management on soil properties and release of nutrients in a saline-sodic soil

Abstract

Periodical changes in soil pH, electrical conductivity, ammoniacal nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen and available phosphorus in a saline-sodic soil under integrated nutrient management were studied in incubation studies at ambient conditions in the laboratory. The soil used for incubation belonged to Sawargaon soil series of Vertic Ustropept. The addition of FYM along with chemical fertilizers helped in reducing the soil pH and increased the electrical conductivity of soil under incubation. The release of ammoniacal nitrogen was higher wherein nutrients had been applied with FYM. The ammoniacal nitrogen was higher with integration of more than one nutrients. The integration effects of nutrients with FYM rendered beneficial effects in releasing the nitrate nitrogen. The integration of urea, SSP, FeS04 + ZnS04, biofertilizers and FYM was found to be beneficial for release of phosphorus, DTPA-extractable zinc and iron.