Effect of Combined FYM and P Fertilizer Application on Soil Health and Crop Performance

Intensive cultivation is a threat to soil health. Holistic management strategies are necessary to rejuvenate soil health. Farmyard manure (FYM) application is an alternative option to rejuvenate soil health and crop productivity. A short-term field study was conducted at UAF-Pakistan to evaluate the co-application of FYM and inorganic fertilizer (Di-ammonium Phosphate; DAP) for rejuvenation of soil health and maize productivity. Treatments included four levels of phosphorus (P) at a rate of 0, 90, 120, and 150 Kg ha-1 alone and in combination with two levels of FYM with the rate of 0 and 10 tons ha-1 in two-factor randomized complete block design with three replicates. Total eight treatments were maintained as T1 (control), T2 (90 Kg ha-1 P), T3 (120 Kg ha-1 P), T4 (150 Kg ha-1 P), T5 (10 tons ha-1 FYM), T6 (90 Kg ha-1 P and 10 tons ha-1 FYM), T7 (120 Kg ha-1 and 10 tons ha-1 FYM), and T8 (150 Kg ha-1 P and 10 tons ha-1 FYM). Data analysis showed that treatment T8 significantly (P <= .005) improved the plant height (15.31%), cob length (21.33%), cob weight (36.92%), 1000 grains weight (4.89%), grain yield (31.21%), PUE (39%), and soil physical properties over control. Overall, we concluded integrated application of FYM and DAP increases nutrient use efficiency and maize productivity.