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Plant Science Today (PST)

Research Articles

Vol. 13 No. sp1 (2026): Recent Advances in Agriculture

Soil test-based integrated nutrient management enhances cotton yield, fertilizer efficiency and soil sustainability in the vertisols of Karaikal

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.10004
Submitted
12 June 2025
Published
19-01-2026

Abstract

India’s cotton farming, reliant on chemical fertilizers, faces soil degradation and yield decline. To combat this, a sustainable Soil Test Crop Response - Integrated Plant Nutrient System (STCR-IPNS) approach was adopted in vertisols of Karaikal district (Typic Haplusterts), to develop fertilizer prescription equation for cotton. A fertility gradient experiment was conducted with rice (ADT 45), wherein three strips were established by applying phosphorus and potassium at 150 and 100 kg ha-1 respectively, based on their fixing capacities, while nitrogen was applied as per the recommended dose. A field experiment with cotton hybrid RCH 659 BG II was conducted using four levels of nitrogen (N at 0, 60, 120 and 180 kg ha-1), phosphorus (P₂O₅ at 0, 30, 60 and 90 kg ha-1), potassium (K₂O at 0, 30, 60 and 90 kg ha-1) and three levels of farmyard manure (FYM) (0, 6.25 and 12.5 t ha-1) to optimize fertilizer use efficiency and enhance soil health. Maximum yield and growth parameters were achieved with NPK + 12.5 t ha-1 FYM. Using yield data, nutrient uptake, initial soil N, P, K levels and fertilizer doses, basic parameters were computed to develop fertilizer prescription equations. Nutrient requirement for cotton followed the order K₂O > N > P₂O5. Nutrient contributions from soil (Cs) were higher for P2O5  followed by K2O and N. Fertilizer contributions (Cf) followed K₂O > P₂O5   > N, while FYM contributions (Cfym) were highest for N followed by K2O and P2O5. Using these parameters, fertilizer prescription equations and nomograms were developed for target yields (31, 33 and 35 q ha-1). Application of NPK with FYM at 12.5 t ha-1 resulted in fertilizer savings of 52, 30 and 48 kg ha-1 of N, P2O5 and K2O respectively. The STCR-IPNS approach enhanced yield, nutrient use efficiency and soil fertility, making it ideal for sustainable intensification in vertisols of Karaikal district.

References

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