Abstract:The present investigation was conducted to study the influence of integrated nutrient management on fertility build up in a Typic Haplaquept soil as well as its effect on yield and quality parameters of rapeseed (Brassica campestris L. var. yellow sarson). Treatments comprised of recommended doses of N, P and K fertilizers (RDF) in presence and absence of FYM along with different doses of S and Zn either alone or in combination. Results revealed that in general, available N, P, K, S and Zn in soil decreased with increase in the period of crop growth. Addition of FYM increased organic carbon content in soils (upto 104.98 g kgincrease over initial value). Application of elemental S and Zn-EDTA increased SO 4 -2 content (upto 101.03 kg ha -1 increase over initial value) in S-treated and DTPA extractable Zn content (upto 0.3 mg kg -1 increase over initial value) in Zn-treated systems respectively. Combined application of higher doses of S and Zn along with FYM and recommended doses of N, P and K fertilizers increased N, P, K, S and Zn uptake by rapeseed crop. Highest seed yield (14.2 q ha -1 ) as well as oil (43.2 %) and protein contents (21.82 %) were recorded in rapeseed which received comparatively higher doses of S and Zn along with FYM and RDF.

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of integrated use of inorganic fertilizers (S and Zn coupled with recommended doses of NPK) in conjunction with organic manure (FYM) on availability of different macro and micro elements including organic carbon in a hilly soil of Meghalaya, India. Two Field trials were conducted consecutively for 2 years (2013-14 and 2014-15) with Rice variety Arize-6444 at Nongpoh village in Ri-Bhoi District of Meghalaya to fulfil the objectives of the experiment. The field experiment was conducted following Randomized Block Design. Altogether 11 treatments with 3 replications were included in the experiment. Results revealed that irrespective of treatments, exchangeable NH4+, soluble NO3‑, available P2O5 and K2O decreased with the period of crop growth. However, changes in organic C in soil showed an opposite trend of results. Regardless of treatments, organic C content enhanced with increment in the age of rice crop. Among the treatment combinations, significantly higher amount of exchangeable NH4+, soluble NO3-, available P2O5 and K2O is accumulated in the soil which received recommended doses of N, P and K along with FYM at 10 tonnes ha-1 as well as 40 kg S ha-1 and 5 kg Zn ha-1 (T8). Results further pointed out that balanced fertilization increased the availability of nutrients (particularly N, P and K) which maintained throughout the cropping season of rice.  However, SO4-2-S content reduced with crop duration. No drastic variation is observed in DTPA-extractable Zn content in soil over the whole cropping season of rice. Incorporation of FYM in the treatment combinations improved and maintained available nutrients including organic C in soil particularly in the 2nd season of rice cultivation.

Sulphur is essential for growth and development of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.). Deficiency of S is widespread in soils of India, and is becoming a major concern for the quality and yield of groundnut crop. Therefore, a study was conducted to investigate the response of groundnut to S application in alluvial Inceptisols of West Bengal with four levels of S, i.e. 0, 15, 30 and 45 kg/ha. The critical limits of Sulphur in soil and plant for deficiency, adequacy and toxicity were determined from Bray percent yield (BPY). The amount of CaCl2 extractable S in soils varied from11.90–29.17 mg/kg while the critical level for deficiency of S in groundnut was graphically 18.6 mg/kg and statistically 19.58 mg/kg in soils. Application of S increased groundnut yield significantly, concentration of S in plant and its uptake by groundnut parts. The critical limit was determined to be 3.0 g/kg for groundnut plants and 4.42 g/ kg for groundnut nuts at harvest.