Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

LONG-TERM EFFECT OF CHEMICAL FERTILIZERS AND AMENDMENTS ON SOIL PROPERTIES IN AN ACID ALFISOL

Munish Sharma, R. P. Sharma, Navneet Jaryal and Ankush Kumar

Abstract

A long term field experiment was initiated in 1972 at the Research Farm of Department of Soil Science, C.S.K.H.P.K.V, Palampur (H.P.) to study the changes in the status of soil nutrients, their depletion and build-up after continuous long intensive cropping in an alfisol of western Himalayas. The rotation was maize-wheat which included various combinations of N, P, K, Zn and FYM. Continuous cultivation influenced pH, OC, CEC, available N, P and K. Application of urea alone as a source of N for a period of forty years has resulted in acidification of soils while lime application increased the pH to 6.4 in the surface soil and 6.2 in subsurface soil. Combined use of FYM with 100 per cent NPK resulted in moderating effect on soil pH. Application of S free P fertilizer DAP drastically reduced the yield of the both the crops. Thus, continuous use of balanced fertilizers is necessary for sustaining soil fertility and productivity of crops.