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VOL. 8, ISSUE 2 (2026)
Effect of INM on Physico-chemical properties of soil during two seasons of maize (Zea mays l.) Crop in the Inceptisol of western Uttar Pradesh
Authors
Amit Kumar, Chandra Shekhar, Harikesh Singh, Ravi Pant
Abstract
A field experiment was conducted during 2023
and 2024 in Rampur Maniharan, Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, to assess the effect
of integrated nutrient management (INM) on the physico-chemical properties of
soil under maize. The trial was laid out in a Randomized Block Design with
thirteen treatments and three replications. Treatments consisted of varying
combinations of recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF), FYM, compost,
phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB), and vermicompost. The initial soil was
sandy loam, medium in organic carbon and available nutrients, with near-neutral
to slightly alkaline reaction. Post-harvest soil analysis revealed significant
differences in available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and organic carbon
due to INM treatments, whereas soil pH, electrical conductivity, bulk density,
and CaCO₃ equivalent remained within narrow and non-problematic limits. The
highest pooled available nitrogen (312.80 kg/ha) and potassium (286.45 kg/ha)
were recorded under 75% RDF + Compost @ 2 t/ha + PSB @ 1 kg/ha + Vermicompost @
10 kg/ha (T4). The highest available phosphorus (29.85 kg/ha) and organic
carbon (0.70%) were observed under 50% RDF + FYM @ 3 t/ha + PSB @ 1 kg/ha +
Vermicompost @ 10 kg/ha (T13). The treatment 75% RDF + FYM @ 2 t/ha + PSB @ 1 kg/ha
+ Vermicompost @ 10 kg/ha (T7) remained at par with the best treatments for
most fertility parameters and offered a balanced combination of residual
fertility improvement and crop productivity. Sole application of 100% RDF
resulted in lower organic carbon (0.58%) than integrated treatments. The
findings demonstrate that INM improves residual soil fertility and soil organic
matter status without causing adverse changes in pH, EC, bulk density, or CaCO₃
under maize cultivation in the Inceptisols of Western Uttar Pradesh.
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Pages:214-217
How to cite this article:
Amit Kumar, Chandra Shekhar, Harikesh Singh, Ravi Pant "Effect of INM on Physico-chemical properties of soil during two seasons of maize (<i>Zea mays</i> l.) Crop in the Inceptisol of western Uttar Pradesh". International Journal of Agriculture and Plant Science, Vol 8, Issue 2, 2026, Pages 214-217
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