Soil and Plant Nutrient Dynamics in Response to Manuring with Different Organic Wastes under Alkaline Conditions

Manuring with organic wastes might be an important approach for maintaining soil fertility and crop productivity. However, beneficial effects of manuring may vary depending upon the type of manure and rate of application. The present study was planned to investigate the efficiency of three different manures i.e. pressmud, farmyard manure and chicken manure applied at 2.5%, 5%, 7.5% and 10% (w/w) to affect nutrient dynamics in soil and maize (Zea mays L) under alkaline conditions. Results revealed that manuring with organic wastes markedly affected the soil properties, with highest effect in case of chicken manure. Soil nutrient concentrations improved by the use of organic manures and maximum increase was found with pressmud which was 17.83%, 37.60%, 48.33% and 55.29% in phosphorus (P) and 9.82%, 20.54%, 32.14% and 40.18% potassium (K) at 2.5%, 5%, 7.5% and 10%, respectively compared to control, while farmyard manure showed superiority for soil nitrogen (N). Soil micronutrients including copper, iron, zinc and manganese were also greatly affected in response to manuring. Nutrient concentrations of maize were also enhanced by the use of manures, with maximum increase in case of pressmud which was 66.96, 77.68, 93.75 and 113.39% in N, 72.73, 154.55, 218.18 and 336.36% P, and 19.75, 30.86, 49.38 and 72.84% K at 2.5%, 5%, 7.5% and 10% (w/w), respectively compared to control. Similar trend was found in case of other nutrients. Pressmud again showed its superiority to improve grain yield i.e. 14.85%, 22.19%, 34.02% and 58.25% by the application of 2.5%, 5%, 7.5% and 10% (w/w), respectively compared to control. In conclusion, pressmud showed supremacy over other manures in improving soil properties and nutrient dynamics in soil and maize plants with a consequential increase in grain yield. The beneficial effects of manuring increased with increasing the application rate.