Yield sustainability of pearl millet and soil biological health with organic and inorganic fertilizer in arid environment

Abstract

Aim: To assess sustainable yield levels and manure and/or urea needed to sustain in arid zone. Methodology: A field experiment was conducted over a period of 25 years in arid soils of Jodhpur with three levels of manure (0, 2.5 and 5.0 t ha-1 yr-1), urea (0, 20 and 40 kg N ha-1 yr-1) and their combinations to assess the rate of change in yield of pearl millet cultivated with manure and/or urea; minimum quantity of manure and/or urea to be applied for achieving yield stability and minimum quantity of manure and/or urea to be applied for improved soil biological health vis-a-vis yield sustainability.? Results: Application of fertilizers over the years showed significant impact on the status of soil organic carbon (SOC) and soil fertility, which in turn influenced sustainability. The results showed that SOC had significant effect on sustainable yield index (SYI). However, available soil N status did not much influence the SYI. Application of urea-N alone or even that of 2.5 ton manure alone is not adequate to achieve agronomic sustainability of yield. Interpretation: Integration of FYM @ 2.5 t ha-1 yr-1 with 20kg N ha-1 sustained higher productivity to self-effacing economic status for farmers in a fragile ecosystem with the available minimum resources for livelihood and also sustain soil biological health of arid soils.