Effect of Poultry Manure and NPK Compound Fertilizer On Soil Physicochemical Parameters, NPK Availability, and Uptake by Spring Maize (Zea mays L.) in Alkaline-calcareous Soil

Integrated nutrient management (INM) got substantial attention to decrease reliance on synthetic fertilizer applications in agricultural soils. However, the concept of INM in nutrient-deficient alkaline calcareous soil of the semi-arid climate is not sufficient. This study investigated the effect of single and facile combinations of poultry manure (PM) and compound fertilizer NPK on soil physicochemical parameters, NPK availability, and its uptake by spring maize in alkaline-calcareous soil. A field experiment in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replicates and with three rates of PM (0, 5, and 10 t ha(-1)) and three rates of compound fertilizer NPK (0, 25, 50, and 75%) of the recommended dose of 120: 90: 60 kg ha(-1) was conducted. The facile combination of 10 tons ha(-1) PM & 75% NPK fertilizer synergistically improved soil total nitrogen (N) from 0.04 to 0.10%, extractable soil phosphorus (P) from 2.29 to 5.9 mg kg(-1) with a percent (%) increase of 157.6, potassium (K) from 83.2 to 123.3 mg kg(-1) with a percent (%) increase of 48.19, N uptake from 35.0 to 92 kg ha(-1) with a percent (%) increase of 162.8, P uptake from 3.6 to 9.3 kg ha(-1) and K uptake from 30.0 to 79.0 kg ha(-1) with a percent (%) increase of 154.07 and 163.33, respectively. There was a significant negative correlation between soil pH and NPK uptake, while soil organic matter and NPK uptake had a significant positive correlation. It also improved post-harvest soil organic matter from 0.61 to 1.48%, reduced soil pH from 8.12 to 7.1, and bulk density from 1.34 to 1.04 g cm(-3). These changes in soil physicochemical parameters further open up NPK availability and its uptake by spring maize. As an INM strategy, PM combined with compound fertilizer NPK could increase NPK pools and crop yield in alkaline calcareous soils while reducing dependency on synthetic fertilizers.