Abstract
Fertilizer management is the major component of crop production requiring special attention for sustainable application. Integrated nutrient management (INM) is an evolving idea, which appears to contribute to sustainable nutrient management. A field study was designed to see the impact of INM on a maize–wheat cropping system during winter (wheat) and summer (maize) season at Agronomic Research Farm, Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan, Pakistan. Both wheat and maize crops were grown consecutively along with full inorganic fertilizer (NPK) as well as with partial dose of fertilizer (25%, 50%, 75% NPK) supplemented with or without the addition of biochar (5 ton/ha). Data were collected regarding crop growth, yield and quality and further analyzed using MSTAT-C statistics software. Results reveal that the INM approach (75% of NPK + Biochar) enabled crops to improve dry matter production and its translocation towards sink which in turn boosted the crop productivity. This treatment improved dry matter (19%, 57%), grain weight (44%, 54%), grain yield (60%, 63%) and harvest index (30%, 29%) over the control in maize and wheat crops. It also improved the nutrient uptake in the plants which in turn improved the nutrient contents in the grains. Similarly, crops recorded higher system productivity (USD 790, USD 830) in both years and were found to be economically sustainable under INM. It was concluded that an INM strategy (75% of NPK + Biochar) can improve the productivity and sustainability of a maize–wheat cropping system to maintain food security.
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
2025 Special Focus—Sustainable Development for a Dynamic Planet: Lessons, Priorities, and Solutions
KEYWORDS
FOOD SECURITY, SUSTAINABLE CROP PRODUCTION, INTEGRATED SOIL FERTILITY, CROPPING SYSTEM
