Interpretive Summaries:

Hybrid rice area in Uttar Pradesh is increasing, but the desired productivity is not being obtained due to inadequate and imbalanced use of nutrients and other major agronomic constraints, including poor plant population and delayed planting. The average productivity of hybrid rice should be 50% higher than the existing high yielding varieties. In view of this, five on-farm experiments were conducted with the objectives to: 1) evaluate the effect of site-specific nutrient management (SSNM) on the economic yield of hybrid rice, 2) determine the economics of different nutrient management options, and 3) popularize the importance of SSNM among farmers to achieve maximum economic yields (MEY) in hybrid rice. Teatments included: 1) Farmers’ fertilization practice (FPP), 2) State fertilizer recommendation (SR), 3) State soil testing lab recommendation (STR), 4) SSNM, and 5) SSNM with a desired plant population (DPP) of 50 hills/m2. Composite soil samples of all fields selected for the experiments were analyzed by Agro Services International, Florida, and fertilizer recommendations were adopted accordingly.

The SSNM treatment with DPP ranged from 8,370 kg/ha to 9,200 kg/ha, with mean values of 8,722 kg/ha. Mean yield under SR and STR was recorded as 6,028 kg/ha and 5,481 kg/ha, respectively. Response over FFP by the SSNM treatment was 2,198 kg/ha (46%), while with SR and STR, the mean responses were 1,182 kg/ha (24%) and 635 kg/ha (13%), respectively. Mean straw yield was noted as 5,346 kg, 6,642kg, 6,041 kg, and 7,751 kg/ha, respectively, under FP, SR, STR, and SSNM treatments, respectively. The mean net returns over FP was highest under SSNM with DPP at Rs.19,471/ha (US$442) followed by Rs.11,067/ha (US$252) under SSNM with farmers’ existing plant population, Rs.5,932 (US$135) under SR, and Rs.2,607/ha (US$59) under STR treatment. NWZ India-69a

Potato is one of the most important commercial crops of Uttar Pradesh, with a total area of 0.44 million (M) ha, a total production of 1.02 M t, and an average productivity of 22.96 t/ha. Farmers of the state use an adequate quantity of N, excessive amounts of P, and inadequate amounts of K, while sulfur (S) and zinc (Zn) are altogether neglected. Although crop productivity is less than the desired level, it can be largely improved with adequate fertilization. An on-station experiment was initiated to: 1) evaluate the effect of soil test based site-specific nutrient management (SSNM) on potato using Agro Services International, Florida, 2) compare the economics of different nutrient management options, and 3) create awareness about SSNM among farmers to achieve maximum economic yield (MEY) of potato. Four on-farm trials were conducted in Rarha Village of Kanpur Dehat District during the 2005-06 rabi season. The treatments included: (1) SSNM = 200-115-150 kg N-P₂O₅^-K₂^O/ha plus 50 kg Zn/ha plus 5 kg B/ha, (2) a State recommendation (SR) = 180-80-100 kg/ha, (3) a soil test-based recommendation (STR) = 185-44-57 kg/ha plus farmyard manure (FYM) at 6 t/ha, and (4) farmer fertilizer practice (FFP) = 200-200-80 kg/ha.

Maximum tuber yield ranged from 39.3 to 41.9 t/ha. SSNM produced a mean yield of 41 t/ha which was followed by SR (35.3 t/ha), STR (34.5 t/ha) and FFP (29.8 t/ha). Corresponding to yield, the maximum net return over FFP was Rs.38,525/ha (US$874) under SSNM, followed by Rs.20,870/ha (US$474) for SR, and Rs.17,708/ha (US$402) for STR. NWZ India-69b

In Uttar Pradesh, wheat occupies 9.1 million (M) ha with a total production of 23.61 M t and an average productivity of 2,596 kg/ha. These are quite low yields compared to the Punjab (4,200 kg/ha) and Haryana (4,053 kg/ha). The major constraints for high yielding wheat are delayed planting, inadequate and imbalanced nutrient use, water management, and lack of adoption of other best management practices. Among these, inadequate and imbalanced nutrient use can be easily corrected and crop productivity be substantially boosted. Farmers of the area use suboptimal quantities of N and P and the efficiency of other inputs is declining. Crop productivity is showing steady decline or stagnation. A research project was initiated to: 1) determine the effect of higher doses of NPK with and without sulfur (S) and zinc (Zn) on the economic yield of wheat, 2) determine the economics of selected nutrient application options, and 3) disseminate the effect of adequate and balanced fertilization to farmers. Five on-farm trials were conducted in the villages of Debipur Sarai and Rarha, Kanpur Dehat District, during the 2005-06 rabi season. Six treatments included: 1) farmers’ fertilizer practice (FFP) = 100-50-0 kg N-P₂O₅^-K₂^O/ha, 2) NP = 150-75-0 kg/ha, 3) State recommendation (SR) = 150-75-75 kg/ha, 4) (150% SR) = 225-112.5-112.5 kg/ha, 5) (150% SR plus Zn) = 225-112.5-112.5 kg/ga plus 25 kg zinc sulfate (ZnSO₄·7H₂O)/ha, 6) (150% SR plus S + Zn) = 225-112.5-112.5 kg/ha plus 30 kg S/ha +25 kg ZnSO₄/ha.

The highest grain yield of 5.58 t/ha was obtained with 150% SR plus S + Zn. Yields under this treatment varied between 5.36 and 6.0 t/ha at different sites. Other treatments produced mean yields of 5.27 t/ha (150% SR), 4.84 t/ha (100% SR), 4.40 t/ha (NP), and 3.81 t/ha (FFP). Omission of K reduced yield by 438 kg (11.5%) on mean basis. Omission of K from the highest nutrient doses reduced the yield by 720 kg (12%). Average response of S + Zn was noted as 312 kg (8.2%). Similar trends were noted for straw yields. A maximum net return over FFP of RS.10,177/ha (US$231) was achieved with 150% SR plus S + Zn. NWZ India-69c

The Central Plain Zone of Uttar Pradesh has an intensive agriculture system. In some areas, a catch crop of toria (Brassica juncia) is taken after harvest of rice/maize/pulse crops and thereafter potato is grown. In some areas a high water table and excessive moisture regimes due to impeded drainage create problems in timely sowing of potato. Under these situations the planting of potato is delayed and low yields result because of increased crops stress. Balanced and adequate fertilization mitigates the adverse effects of the increased potential for low temperature stress. Adequate K fertilization plays a key role in protecting crops from frost and other abiotic and biotic adversities. Supplementation of other deficient nutrients like sulfur (S) and zinc (Zn) further improve crop performance, productivity and quality of produce, as well as farmer profits. However, because of the paucity of regional information on the benefits of plant nutrition on potato productivity, an on-station experiment was initiated to: 1) determine the optimum ratio of N, P, and K use for maximum yield of potato, 2) assess the impact of optimum nutrient ratios on nutrient use efficiency, and 3) examine the economics of selected treatments. The experiment consisted of eight treatments including: 1) a 2:1:2 ratio = 150-75-150 kg/ha, 2) 2:1.25:2 ratio = 150-93.75-150 kg/ha, 3) 2:1.5:2 ratio = 150- 112.5-150 kg/ha, 4) 2:0:2 ratio = 150-0-150 kg/ha, 5) 2:1.25:1.50 ratio = 150-93.75-112.5 kg/ha, 6) 2:1.25:1 ratio = 150-93.75-75 kg/ha, 7) 2:1.25:0 ratio = 150-93.75-0 kg/ha, and 8) 2:1:1 ratio (State recommendation) = 150-75-75 kg/ha.

A maximum tuber yield (Kufri Anand cv.) of 39.25 t/ha was recorded using the 2:1.5:2 ratio with corresponding rates of 150-112.5-150 kg N-P₂O₅^-K₂O/ha. This treatment produced 12.22 t/ha (45%) more than the State recommended ratio of 2:1:1. Omission of P resulted in 26.47 t/ha which was 560 kg (21%) less than that of SR. Similarly, omission of K reduced yield by 1.0 t/ha (37.5%) compared to the SR. Results suggest that based on constant N and K rates of 150 kg/ha, an appropriate P rate would be approximately 60 to 75% of that rate. The maximum net return over SR was Rs.47,568/ha for the highest yielding treatment. Omission of P and K proved uneconomical with negative returns of Rs.1,302 (US$29) and Rs.3,812/ha (US$86), respectively, compared to the SR. NWZ India-69d

Rice is the important staple food crop of Uttar Pradesh. It is grown in 4.42 million (M) ha with a total production of 8.11 M t, but average productivity is only at 1,789 kg/ha which is quite low compared to Punjab (3,510 kg/ha), Tamil Nadu (3,350 kg/ha), and West Bengal (2,463 kg/ha). Major constraints are inadequate and imbalanced use of nutrients, delayed planting, low plant/population and a general lack of other best management practices. Farmers of the area apply only N and P in suboptimal quantities. Potassium is not applied in this system and other nutrient deficiencies exist. An on-station trial was initiated to: 1) determine the optimum rates P and K for maximum yield of rice, 2) assess the impact of optimum nutrient application nutrient use efficiency in rice, and 3) examine the economics of various treatment options. The field experiment was situated at the Fertilizer Research Station, Uttaripura, Kanpur, during the 2005 kharif season. The experiment consisting of 14 treatments consisting of various N, P, K, sulfur (S), zinc (Zn), and farmyard manure (FYM) application rates.

Significant yield increases were recorded with up to 60 kg P₂O₅/ha and 60 kg K₂O/ha, each in association with optimum doses of N, S, and Zn. The highest grain yield was 5.28 t/ha. Omission of P from the treatment reduced yield by 675 kg/ha (13%) while omission of K reduced the yield by 775 kg/ha (15%). Straw yields showed trends similar to grain yields. The maximum response over farmers’ practice was 1,800 kg/ha (50%), with 150-90-90 kg N-P₂O₅^-K₂O/ha plus 40 kg S/ha +25 kg Zn/ha. Net returns were maximized at Rs.11,012/ha (US$250) under this high yield treatment. Alternatively, addition of 10 t FYM/ha along with 150-60-60 kg/ha produced 38.6% higher yield and an extra Rs.8,800/ha (US$199) compared to FFP. NWZ India-69e

Maize is the important kharif season crop in Uttar Pradesh. It is planted after rice and cultivated for grain, green cobs, fodder, and feed purposes. It is grown on 0.755 million (M) ha and the state’s total maize grain production is 0.836 M t. Productivity of maize in the state is very low at 1,101 kg/ha as compared to 2,825 kg/ha (Andhra Pradesh), 2,039 kg/ha (Punjab), and 1,996 kg/ha (West Bengal), or even the national average of 1,642 kg/ha. Reasons for this poor productivity are inadequate and imbalanced use of N and P, plus omission of K and other required nutrients. Farmers do apply some farmyard manures (FYM) at 2 to 3 t/ha in maize, but these quantities are insufficient to supplement the complete nutrient demands of the crop. An on-station experiment was initiated at the Fertilizer Research Station, Uttari Pura, of Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology Kanpur, to evaluate the effect of applied nutrients on the yield and profits from hybrid maize. The experiment consisted of 15 treatments which varied the rates for N, P, K, sulfur (S), zinc (Zn), boron (B), manganese (Mn), and iron (Fe). Farmer practice included application of 80-40 kg N-P₂O₅/ha plus 6 t/ha FYM, the state recommendation included 120-60-60 kg/ha, and the local soil test recommendation included 90-32-36 kg/ha plus 6 t FYM/ha.

The maximum economic yield of 4.38 t/ha was achieved with 150-120-120 kg/ha plus 30 kg S/ha + 25 kg Zn/ha + 0.5 kg B/ha + 15 kg Mn/ha + 50 kg Fe/ha. Omission of P from the treatment reduced the yield by 1.48 t/ha (34%). Deletion of K reduced the yield by 1.35 t/ha (31%). Omission of Fe and Mn reduced the yield by 235 kg/ha (5%) and 380 kg/ha (9%). Similarly, omission of S, Zn and B reduced the yield by 485 kg/ha (11%), 285 kg/ha (6%), and 385 kg/ha (9%), respectively. Stover yields followed a trend which was similar to grain yields. The highest mean net return over farmers’ practice was recorded as Rs.5,277/ha (US$120) with the highest yield treatment comprising all the deficient nutrients. The omission of P or K generated negative returns over FFP. NWZ India-69f

In Uttar Pradesh, potato occupies 0.44 million (M) ha—a 33% share of the total national area—and contributes to 44% of total potato production (10.2 Mt) with an average productivity of 23 t/ha. Potato is a heavy feeder of nutrients, but farmers are using excessive doses of N and P and much less K than is required. The current fertilizer recommendation is also proving suboptimal for optimum yields and, as a consequence, deficiencies of K and other nutrients like sulfur (S), zinc (Zn), and boron (B) are increasing in space and time and increasingly constraining yields. A field experiment was conducted at the Fertilizer Research Station, Uttaripura of Dept. of Soil Science & Agril. Chemistry of the Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology Kanpur during the 2005-06 rabi season with the objectives of: (1) determining the rates of NPKS for maximum economic yield of potato grown after maize, (2) assessing the residual responses to micronutrients applied in the preceding maize crop, and (3) examining the economics of the selected treatments. The treatments tested various combinations of N, P, K, S, Zn, B, manganese (Mn), and iron (Fe). Farmer practice (FP) included 200-160-80 kg/ha, the state recommendation (SR) included 180-80-100 kg/ha, the local soil test-based recommendation included 138-56-57 kg/ha plus 7.2 t farmyard manure (FYM)/ha.

Maximum economic yield was 43.9 t/ha which was achieved with 200-120-200 kg/ha plus 30 kg S/ha. This level of fertilization produced 6.05 t/ha (16.0%) more than FP with a net return of Rs.168,900/ha (US$3,835). Omission of P, K and S from this treatment reduced yield by 8.43 t/ha (19%), 7.88 t/ha (18%) and 3.73 t/ha (8%), respectively. Apparently, Fe, Mn, B, and Zn, if applied to the preceding maize crop, have residual responses in potato. NWZ India-69g

Wheat is the important winter crop of Uttar Pradesh, covering 9.1 million (M) ha area with total production of 23.6 M t or 36% of the national total wheat production. However, the productivity of wheat in the state is 2,596 kg/ha, which is much lower than in Punjab (4,200 kg/ha) and Haryana (4,053 kg/ha). Inadequate and imbalanced nutrient use is the prime constraint which can be corrected. Farmers of the state in general use suboptimal rates of N and P, and ignore K, sulfur (S) and zinc (Zn), and organic manure applications. Application of the principles of site-specific nutrient management (SSNM) may help farmers achieve maximum economic yields. An on-station trial was conducted at the Fertilizer Research Station, Uttaripura, of the Department of Soil Science & Agril. Chemistry of the Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology Kanpur during the 2005-06 rabi season with the objectives of: 1) determining the rates of P and K required for maximum wheat yields, 2) assessing the impact of optimum rates of P and K on nutrient use efficiency in wheat, and 3) examining the economics of the selected treatments. The experiment tested 14 combinations of N, P, K, S, and Zn. The state recommendation included 150-75-75 kg/ha, the local soil test-based recommendation included 114-40-30 kg/ha plus 7.2 t FYM/ha, farmer practice (FFP) was 150-50-0 kg/ha.

A maximum grain yield of 4.46 t/ha was achieved with 150-90-90 kg/ha plus 40 kg S/ha + 25 kg Zn/ha. However, reducing the P and K rate to 60 kg/ha gave statistically similar yields near 4.25 t/ha. Omission of P and K reduced the yield by 940 kg/ha (21%) and 800 kg/ha (17.9%), respectively. Omission of S and Zn reduced the yield by 360 kg/ha and 320 kg/ha, respectively. The high yielding treatment generated a maximum net return over FFP of Rs.10,585/ha (US$240). Increasing rates of either P or K produced linear increases in yield and net return. NWZ India-69h