System productivity, nutrient uptake and nutrient balance in the wheat-mungbean-t. Aman rice cropping system

System productivity, nutrient uptake and apparent nutrient balance in the wheatmungbean- T. aman rice cropping system was studied. The experiment comprised four treatments-absolute nutrient control (T1); farmer’s practice (T2); AEZ basis fertilizer application (T3) and soil test basis fertlizer application (T4). The treatments were compared in a RCBD with three replications over two consecutive years, 2008-09 and 2009-10. The experiment was conducted in Chhiata clay loam soil. The average yields of wheat, mungbean and T. aman ranged from 1415 to 3096 kg ha-1, 1020 to 1463 kg ha-1 and 2999 to 4282 kg ha- 1, respectively showing T4 as the best treatment. The same treatment (T4) demonstrated the highest nutrient uptake by the crops. The apparent balance of N and K (difference between nutrient uptake and nutrient addition) was negative; however it was less negative for T4 treatment. The P balance was positive for all the treatment except T1. Positive S balance was observed in T3 and T4 but negative in absolute control and farmer’s practice. Zinc and B balance was also positive in case of T3 and T4, but negative for T1 and T2 except B. The study suggests soil test basis fertlizer recommendation for the wheatmungbean- T. aman rice cropping system.Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 42(3): 509-520, September 2017

Effects of Nitrogen Management on Garlic Yield, Economic Benefit and Soil Apparent Nutrient Balance

An experiment was conducted on garlic (Allium sativum L.) to investigate the effects of nitrogen management on yield, economic benefit and the soil apparent nutrient balance, in the region of Laiwu town in Shandong province, China. The treatments included control (no N fertilizer), urea at 300 kg/ha, urea at 240 kg/ha, combined urea and commercial organic fertilizers at 120 kg N /ha each, and controlled-release nitrogen fertilizer at 192 kg N /ha. Results showed no significant difference both for garlic bulb yield and economic benefits between the urea treatments at different N application rates. The effect of the combined use of urea and organic fertilizer was similar to that of the urea application at the same N application rate. However, garlic bulb yields in the treatment of controlled-release nitrogen fertilizer were significantly higher than in the other fertilizer treatments, even the N application rate was lower. The net income from garlic in the treatment of controlled release fertilizer was also significantly higher than those in the other treatments. There was N surplus after the garlic growth season when urea was applied at 300 kg/ha, while there was N, P and K deficit when the controlled-release N fertilizer at 192 kg/ha was used to produce more garlic. It is suggested that use of controlled release N fertilizer combined with a supplement of other nutrients would be a sustainable strategy for fertilizer management in garlic production.

Response of greengram-safflower cropping sequence to phosphorus management in relation to yield, nutrient uptake and phosphorus use efficiency in Vertisols

Field experiment was conducted during 2006-2007 to study the effect of phosphorus management in greengram-safflower sequence in a Vertisol. The twelve treatments and three replications designed in RBD consisted of 100% RDF (20:40:20 NPK kg/ ha to greengram and 25:25:25 NPK kg/ ha to safflower), 50% recommended P, No P, 50% recommended P + PSB (25 g/ kg seed), 5 t FYM/ ha, 5 t FYM/ ha + PSB applied in various combinations to greengram in <italic>kharif</italic> and safflower in <italic>rabi</italic> season. The results indicated that application of 100 % recommended P along with recommended N and K significantly enhanced the yield of greengram and safflower. However, these results were comparable with application of 50 % P (20 kg/ ha to greengram and 12.5 kg/ ha to safflower) + PSB along with recommended dose of N (20 kg/ ha to greengram and 25 kg/ ha to safflower) and K (20 kg/ ha to greengram and 25 kg/ ha to safflower) to greengram and safflower in crop productivity with higher nutrient uptake and apparent nutrient balance. The higher P use efficiency was observed with the application of 50 % recommended P to both the crops alongwith PSB.