Effect of integrated nutrient management on baby corn-rice cropping system: economic yield, system productivity, nutrient-use efficiency and soil nutrient balance

The study was conducted to estimate the nutrient-use efficiency and soil nutrient balance of integrated nutrient management, five combinations of organic and inorganic sources of nutrients. Both partial factor productivity and agronomic-use efficiency of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium was recorded maximum in F-3 (70% RD of NPK through inorganic fertilizers + 30% N through FYM), F-2 (70% RD of NPK through inorganic fertilizers + 30% N through vermicompost) and F-1 (recommended dose (RD) of NPK (150:26:33) through fertilizers), respectively. Apparently recovery efficiency for N and K was highest in F-1, whereas P in F-3. Physiological-use efficiency (PFP) was highest in F-3, followed by F-1 and F-2 treatment. INM showed actual N gain but apparent N losses. Maximum actual N gain was recorded where nutrients were applied through equal proportion (50:50) of organic and inorganic sources. Similar trend was recorded for actual and apparent P loss/gain as recorded for N. Results showed losses in actual K but gain in apparent K for all the treatments.