Influence of Nutrient Management Options on the Phosphorus Fractions and Productivity of the Pulses Based Cropping Systems in Semi Arid Region of India

Background: Phosphorus is vital plant nutrient and limiting factor for soil productivity, hence better management of agronomic practices may influence the P availability in soils. The different P fractions plays also role in management of soil productivity. The goal of our study was to evaluate the effect of synthetic fertilizer in combination with organic manures and microbes on phosphorus fractions and system productivity. Methods: The study has planned in split plot design with two pulses based cropping systems and eight nutrient management options role and combination of inorganic fertilizers, organic manure and microbial inoculants. Different phosphorus fractions were determined using stepwise fractionation techniques and soil characteristics were ascertained using normal analytical procedures. Result: The findings showed that the blackgram-mustard (B-M) cropping system outperformed the fallow-chickpea (F-C) cropping system in terms of soil porosity, water-holding capacity and phosphorus fraction. Compared to the initial status of the soil, both systems have better soil qualities. Similar to this, phosphorus fractions improved when 125%, 100% and 75% of the recommended inorganic fertilizer was applied in conjunction with FYM and microbial inoculants, as compared to when inorganic fertilizers were applied only. The system productivity was higher with B-M cropping system and also with 125%, 100% and 75% inorganic fertilizer with FYM and microbial inoculants. Overall, our study suggests that 25% of inorganic fertilizer can be reduced along with FYM and microbial inoculants in B-M cropping systems in semi-arid region.