J. Env. Bio-Sci., 2016: Vol.

30 (1):65-69
(65) ISSN 0973-6913 (Print), ISSN 0976-3384 (On Line)

INFLUENCE OF LONG - TERM USE OF CHEMICAL FERTILIZERS AND AMENDMENTS

ON PRODUCTIVITY OF MAIZE - WHEAT AND NPK UPTAKE
IN AN ACID ALFISOL
Munish Sharma-1*, R.P. Sharma-1, Navneet Jaryal-1 and Ankush Kumar-2
1-
Department of Soil Science, CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya Palampur (Himachal Pradesh)
2-
Department of Agronomy, Forages and Grassland Management, CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya Palampur
(Himachal Pradesh)
[Corresponding author E-mail1*: munishsharma1947@gmail.com]

Received: 09-01-2016 Accepted: 09-03-2016

After fourty years of continuous cropping of maize-wheat in an acid alfisol, the influence of long-term use of fertilizers and
amendments was studied on productivity and NPK uptake. Continuous omission of essential nutrients in a maize-wheat sequence
resulted in an appreciable decline in the grain yield of maize and wheat crops. Application of 100 per cent N alone decreased the
wheat and maize productivity significantly in comparison to optimum use of fertilizers (100 per cent NPK).Highest productivity of
wheat and maize was recorded in the treatment comprising 100 per cent NPK + FYM. The productivity recorded under 100 per cent
NPK + lime was at par with 100 per cent NPK + FYM in both the crops. Application of FYM and lime along with 100 per cent NPK
resulted in significantly higher NPK uptake by both the crops compared to other treatments.

The necessity to increase agricultural production in India is
distinctly clear. Overdependence on high analysis fertilizers
has encouraged the process of land degradation and is badly
influencing production potential and soil health. As a result
most of the productive soils are becoming unproductive.
Imbalanced fertilization is one of the important factor limiting
crop yields. Problem is more severe in acid soils which are
under continuous cropping1.
Contribution of chemical fertilizers towards an increase in
agricultural production of farming system is well known. But
their injudicious use exhibits a detrimental effect on soil health.
Although, use of chemical fertilizers is the fastest way of
replenishing the nutrient depletion, yet ever- increasing energy
cost, limited input availability and rising fertilizer prices deter
the farmers from using these inputs to required level. Further,
chemical fertilizers alone are unable to maintain the long-term
soil health and crop productivity as they lack in secondary
and micronutrients2. Hence, it is imperative that we evolve an
efficient, economic and integrated nutrient management (INM)
system to sustain the productivity of different crops and
cropping systems. Hence, in the present investigation, the
study on the effect of chemical fertilizers and amendments on
crop yields and NPK uptake under maize-wheat cropping
system was undertaken.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
A long-term fertilizer experiment was initiated in 1972-73 on a
NAAS Rating (2016)-4.20
Typic Hapludalf at Palampur. The experimental farm is situated
at 3106/ N latitude and 760 3/ E longitude at an altitude of
about 1290 meters above mean sea level. The site lies in the
Palam valley of Kangra district in the Mid Hills Sub Humid
Zone of Himachal Pradesh. The climate of the experimental
site is characterized as wet temperate with mild summers
(March to June) and cool winters. The average rainfall of the
area ranges from 2500 mm to 3000 mm. A major portion of
the rainfall (about 75 %) is received during monsoon period
from June to September. The mean maximum temperature
remains about 31 0C during the hottest months of May to June.
December to February are the coldest months with minimum
temperature of about 3 to 9 0C and maximum 13 to 21 0C.
The initial soil characteristics of experimental sites are given
in Table-1. N was added in three equal splits for maize at
sowing, knee high and tasseling growth stage and in two equal
splits for wheat at sowing and crown root initiation growth stage
while full doses of P and K were applied to both the crops at
the time of sowing. Nitrogen, P and K were applied through
urea, single superphosphate and muriate of potash,
respectively in all the treatments except in 100% NPK (-S)
where P was applied through diammonium phosphate to
assess the effect of S-free high analysis fertilizer. Zinc was
applied as Zinc sulphate @ 25 kg ha-1 every year to both the
crops. Farmyard manure was added @ 10 t ha-1 on fresh weight
basis only to the maize crop every year that corresponds to
its average application rate by the farmers of the area.

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 INFLUENCE OF LONG - TERM USE OF CHEMICAL FERTILIZERS
Table-1.Initial physico-chemical characteristics of the
surface soil (1972)
Table-3.Effect of long-term use of chemical fertilizers and
amendments on productivity of wheat (q ha-1)
Marketable lime {Ca(OH)2} was applied @ 900 kg ha-1 only to
maize crop every year till the soil pH was raised to about 6.5.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Productivity of maize: The data presented in Table-2 revealed
that not even a single grain or blade of maize could be harvested
where recommended N alone through urea has been applied
for the last forty years. The data further revealed that in rest of
the treatments, the grain yield varied from 8.24 q ha-1 in control
(T11) to 55.46 q ha-1 in 100 % NPK + FYM (T8). Application of
lime along with recommended dose of NPK (T10) recorded
yield of 51.97 q ha-1 which was at par with 100 % NPK + FYM
(T8) with the grain yield of 55.46 q ha-1. These two treatments
were significantly higher than rest of all the treatments whereas
control (T11) was significantly lower than all the treatments as
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(66)
Table-2.Effect of long-term use of chemical fertilizers and
amendments on productivity of maize (q ha-1)
far as the grain yield of maize was concerned. Application of
100 % NPK + FYM (T8) and 100 % NPK + lime(T10) recorded
29.8 and 21.6 % higher grain yield of maize over 100 % NPK.
The yield obtained under zinc application (T5) and HW (T4)
was statistically at par with 100 % NPK (T2) with the values
of 43.36 and 44.04 q ha-1, respectively. It is evident from the
data that super optimal dose (150 per cent NPK) did not
improve the grain yield of maize over 100 % NPK dose. While
yield with sub optimal dose (T1) was significantly lower than
optimal dose (T2). The extent of decrease in yield with super
optimal and sub optimal treatments was 4.1 and 21.6 per
cent in comparison to optimal dose of NPK, respectively. The
grain yield in 100 % NP (T6) and 100 %NPK (-S) (T9) was
19.59 and 20.07 q ha-1, respectively. It is noteworthy that
absence of potassium and sulphur from fertilization schedule
resulted in marked decrease in grain yield and per cent
decrease over 100 % NPK was to the extent of 54.2 and 53.0
%, respectively.
The results presented in Table-2 further revealed that stover
yield ranged from 16.22 q ha-1 in control plot to 99.77 q ha-1 in
the plots receiving 100 % NPK along with FYM (T8). The trend
under various treatments was almost similar to grain yield.
The reasons for better productivity in FYM treated plots are
generally attributed to the beneficial effect of FYM on soil
productivity3. Insoluble nutrients present in soil are solubilised
due to fulvic and humic acid liberated from the organic materials
and become available to plants for their growth. The increased
release of micro and primary nutrients in addition to granular
 (67) SHARMA, SHARMA, JARYAL AND KUMAR
Table-4. Effect of long-term use of chemical fertilizers and amendments on NPK uptake by
maize (kg ha-1)
soil condition favours the biological activity and consequently
improves the productivity. Super optimal level (150 %) NPK
decreased the productivity probably due to emerging
deficiencies of secondary nutrients particularly Mg in the
present soil4. The source of P in present study was single
super phosphate (SSP) which contains gypsum. The gypsum
added through the SSP might have met the Ca and S
requirements but led to deficiency of magnesium due to
continuous cropping and manuring for the last forty years.
Application of high analysis of P fertilizers (DAP) in place of
single super phosphate (SSP) has resulted in considerable
decline in crop yield as in comparison to SSP , diammonium
phosphate contains 46 % P2O5 but no sulphur and calcium.
Its continuous use has, therefore, led to sulphur mining of the
soil and thereby resulting in drastic reduction in crop yield.
Productivity of wheat: The data on the effect of chemical
fertilizers and amendments on productivity of wheat have been
given in Table-3. Productivity in 100 % N treated plots turned
out to be zero. Barring 100 % N treated plots, grain and straw
yield of wheat (2011-12) varied from 7.45 to 34.45 q ha-1 and
13.56 to 52.44 q ha-1 under control and 100 per cent NPK +
FYM treated plots, respectively. It is evident from data that
continuous application of 100 % N alone for forty years resulted
in zero yield level. Combining phosphorus with N (T6) resulted
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in an increase of 5.44 and 8.66 q ha-1 higher grain and straw
yield under control, respectively. The balanced use of fertilizers
(i.e. 100 % NPK) recorded 21.00 and 35.11 q ha-1 grain and
straw yield, respectively. Thus, there was an increase to the
extent of 63 and 72 % in grain and straw yield, respectively
over 100 % NP treatment. A sharp decline in grain and straw
yield was recorded when K was not applied in the soil. When
compared to balanced fertilization (100 % NPK), 100 % NP
treatment recorded 38.6 and 36.7 % decrease in grain and
straw yield of wheat respectively. The omission of sulphur 100
% NPK (-S) recorded significantly lower yield than balanced
fertilization (100 % NPK), the decrease being 36 and 34.8 %
in grain and straw yield, respectively. The continuous application
of FYM along with 100 % NPK (T8) resulted in significantly
higher yield than 100 % NPK and 150 % NPK (T3). Compared
to 100 % NPK, application of FYM along with 100 % NPK
increased the grain and straw yield of wheat by 64 and 49 %,
respectively. The productivity of wheat recorded under 100 %
NPK + FYM (T8) was statistically at par with 100 % NPK +
lime (T10). Super optimal dose of NPK (150 per cent) was at
par with 100 per cent NPK. Biological yield varied from 21.00
to 86.89 q ha-1 under control and 100 per cent NPK + FYM,
respectively. The treatment wise trend was similar as in case
of grain and straw yield. Since no fertilizer and amendment
was added in control plots for the last forty years hence
 INFLUENCE OF LONG - TERM USE OF CHEMICAL FERTILIZERS
productivity was very low in these plots due to continuous
mining of nutrients. Application of N alone continuously for
forty years resulted in zero yield. It may be due to increase in
soil acidity resulting in increased concentration of various toxic
elements specially aluminium which adversely affect the crop
growth. Many other workers in different parts of country have
noticed the similar effect where degradation of soil has taken
place in 100 % N treated plots over a period of time 5-7.
Application of phosphorus along with nitrogen improved the
yield in comparison to control. As phosphorus is helpful in
proliferation of roots, it results in favourable effect on crop growth
and ultimately yield. Moreover, high P fixing capacity of the
soils resulting in less availability of labile P to the crop plants
is responsible for noticeable responses to phosphorus
application. A marked decrease in productivity in the absence
of sulphur application highlights the significance of sulphur
nutrition for the crops. Comparatively higher productivity under
100 per cent NPK + HW is probably due to the recycling of
weed biomass in the same crop. Moreover, physical soil
environment becomes more favourable in the plots when we
do interculture operations to control the weeds. Significantly
better productivity in the plots treated with lime may be
attributed to increase in pH values of soil which decreases the
active forms of Al and soil acidity thereby improving conditions
for crop growth8.
Nutrient uptake by maize
Nitrogen uptake: The data on the effect of continuous use of
chemical fertilizers and amendments on N uptake by maize
have been given in Table-4. A perusal of the data revealed that
N uptake by grains varied from a minimum value of 10.87 kg
ha-1 under control to the maximum value of 97.75 kg ha-1 under
100 % NPK + FYM. Application of FYM resulted in significant
increase in N uptake in comparison to rest of the treatments.
Application of 100 % NPK (T2) recorded significantly higher N
uptake over the sub optimal dose (T1). Whereas, 150% NPK
was at par with optimal dose of chemical dose of fertilizers
(T2). Application of lime was found statistically superior over
rest of the treatments and recorded significantly lower value
than 100 % NPK + FYM. Hand weeded plots resulted in
significantly higher N uptake than optimal dose of chemical
fertilizers (T2), the increase being 21.04 %. The increase in N
uptake by grains in organically amended soil over optimal dose
of chemical fertilizers was to the order of 83.22 %, whereas,
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(68)
lime amended plots registered an increase of 44.27 per cent
over 100 % NPK (T2). The treatment comprising 100 % NPK
+ Zn with N uptake value of 63.10 kg ha-1 differed significantly
from 100 % NPK. A sharp decline in N uptake by grains was
recorded in the plots where either potassium or sulphur was
not applied. Compared to 100 % NPK treatment, omission of
potassium (T6) and sulphur (T9) recorded 75.14 and 85.17 %
lower K uptake values respectively. The treatments 100 %
NPK + HW, 100 per cent + Zn were at par with N uptake
values of 64.58 and 63.10 kg ha-1, respectively. The values of
N uptake by maize stover varied from 9.32 kg ha-1 under zero
fertilization to 73.85 kg ha-1 under 100 per cent NPK + lime.
Application of 100 % NPK was statistically superior to 50 %
NPK (T1), 150 % NPK (T3), 100 % NP (T2), 100 % NPK (-S)
(T2) and control (T11) with N uptake values of 45.58, 51.52,
25.57, 28.74 and 9.32 kg ha-1, respectively. The increased
uptake in different fertilized treatments over control was due to
increased level of nutrition resulting in increased productivity
level as discussed in case of nitrogen uptake by wheat. As
the yield was low in 100 % NPK (-S) plots due to the deficiency
of sulphur, the N uptake was also low. The positive effect of
FYM on uptake is due to the favourable effect of FYM on growth
and yield and supply of nitrogen through FYM. The increase in
N uptake under balanced fertilization is due to supply of N
through urea and better root proliferation.
Phosphorus uptake: The data presented in Table-4 revealed
that P uptake by maize grain varied from 1.94 kg ha-1 to 18.61
kg ha-1 under control and 100 % NPK + FYM respectively.
Continuous application of FYM along with 100 % NPK (T8)
increased P uptake by maize grain significantly over rest of
the treatments. Application of 100 % NPK + Lime (T10) and
100 % NPK + FYM (T8) increased the uptake by 11.7 and
29.8 %, respectively over 100 % NPK. The P uptake under
100 % NPK (T2) by grains was at par with 150 % NPK (T3),
100 % NPK + HW (T4) and 100 % NPK + Zn (T5) with value of
14.78, 15.70 and 14.35 respectively. Compared to 100 % NPK,
the P uptake in 100 % NP and 100 % NPK (-S) treated plots
decreased by 7.87 and 7.72 kg ha-1 respectively. The P uptake
by maize stover was highest (3.48 kg ha-1) under 100 % NPK
+ FYM (T8) and lowest was under control 0.40 kg ha-1 (T11).
Similar to P uptake by grain, application of FYM increased P
uptake by stover significantly over other treatment combinations
except 100 %NPK + Lime (T10). Lower values of P uptake in
 (69) SHARMA, SHARMA, JARYAL AND KUMAR

NP, NPK (-S) and control plots is attributed to lower productivity
of maize in these plots. The higher P uptake in FYM treated
plots might be due to the fact that organic material form
chelates with Al3+ and Fe3+ resulting in reduction in P fixation.
Higher P uptake values underlined treated plots may be
attributed to precipitation of Al3+ at high pH and thereby making
phosphorus readily available to growing crops.
Potassium uptake: The K uptake values by maize grain and
stover and total have been given in Table-4. A reference to the
data indicated that K uptake in maize grain varied from 2.36
kg ha-1 under zero fertilization (T11) to 24.93 kg ha-1 under 100
% NPK + FYM (T8). The critical examination of data revealed
that the plots receiving 100 % NPK + FYM (T8) recorded
significantly higher K removal than rest of the treatments.
Application of 100 % NPK + FYM and 100 % NPK + lime
increased K uptake by maize grain to the order of 43.8 and
20.4 % respectively over 100 % NPK. Potassium uptake under
100 % NPK was found at par with 150 % NPK (T3), 100 NPK
+ HW (T4) and 100 % NPK + Zn (T5) with uptake values of
16.74, 18.04 and 17.73 kg ha-1 respectively. Omission of
potassium (T6) and sulphur (T9) reduced K uptake significantly
in comparison to 100 % NPK (T2). In case of maize stover, K
uptake varied from 7.30 kg ha-1 to 84.73 kg ha-1 under control
(T11) to 100 % NPK + FYM (T8) respectively. Application of
FYM along with 100 % NPK + FYM (T8) and 100 % NPK +
continuous removal in absence of nutrient addition from any
external source resulted in low productivity and K uptake by
grain and stover by maize. Long-term omission of potassium
and sulphur resulted in low yield and therefore lesser K uptake
as compared to balanced fertilization. Moreover, K was not
added in NP treatment continuously and hence lesser K uptake
in this plot is obvious. Application of FYM along with
recommended fertilizer recorded highest K uptake which might
be due to the favourable condition of crop growth in these
plots and supply of potassium (0.4 %) through FYM in addition
of chemical fertilizer. Positive influence of lime on K uptake is
due to the improvement of soil environment and consequently
on crop yield. Such increase in NPK uptake with the use of
chemical fertilizer alone or in combination with organics by
maize crop has been reported from elsewhere in the country9-11
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7.
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8.
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