International Journal of Agricultural

Science and Research (IJASR)

ISSN(P): 2250-0057; ISSN(E): 2321-0087
Vol. 8, Issue 2, Apr 2018, 25-32
© TJPRC Pvt. Ltd.

EFFECT OF CROP RESIDUE AND NUTRIENT COMBINATION ON SOIL

SULPHUR DYNAMICS AT DIFFERENT STAGES OF CROP

GROWTH UNDER MAIZE-WHEAT CROPPING SYSTEM

ASISAN MINZ1, KULDEEP KUMAR2 & LILY EKKA3

1
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India
2,3
Department of Agronomy, Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India
ABSTRACT

India being an agriculture-dominant country produces more than 500 million tons of crop residues annually.
Farmers in India burn or remove residues to facilitate seedbed preparation. Burning of crop residues is common in India
causing nutrient losses (like N, P, K and S) and serious air pollutions affecting human health. To avoid straw burning,
innovations in crop residue management should assist in achieving sustainable productivity and allow farmers to reduce
nutrient and water inputs, and reduce risk due to climate change. Crop residues contain significant quantities of plant
nutrients and their judicious application will have positive effect on nutrient management in maize-wheat system. The

Original Article
objective of this study was to investigate the effects of addition of crop residue and different inorganic nutrient
combination on soil available sulphur, their concentration and uptake at different stages of crop growth. The available
sulphur content of soil at three different stages of maize and wheat at 0-15 cm depth varied from 25.6-123.6 kg/ha and
21.3-90.6 kg/ha, and 13.7-80.7 kg/ha and 15.5-85.0 kg/ha with and without incorporation of crop residues respectively. S
concentration in maize plant ranged between 0.04-0.72% and 0.09-0.52%, while in wheat plant ranged from 0.12-0.93%
and 0.10-0.42% with and without incorporation of crop residues respectively. S uptake by the maize grain, straw and total
S uptake by maize varied from 0.32 to 2.22 kg/ha and 0.15 to 2.57 kg/ha, 2.79 to 12.09 kg/ha and 0.79 to 12.10 kg/ha and
3.11 to 14.21 kg/ha and 0.94 to 13.88 kg/ha with and without incorporation of crop residues respectively, while in wheat
crop S uptake by the grain, straw and total S uptake of the wheat crop, with and without incorporation of maize residue
was varied from 0.50 to 2.70 kg/ha and 0.38 to 2.55 kg/ha, 5.98 to 28.97 kg/ha and 5.69 to 24.52 kg/ha and 6.48 to 30.87
kg/ha and 6.07 to 26.92 kg/ha respectively.

KEYWORDS: Crop Residues, Maize (Zea Mays L.), Inorganic Fertilizer, Nutrient Omission & Wheat (Triticumaestivum
L.).

Received: Dec 05, 2017; Accepted: Dec 26, 2017; Published: Feb 26 2018; Paper Id.: IJASRAPR20184

INTRODUCTION

Crop residues are part of the plants left in the field after crops have been harvested and thrashed. Indian
agriculture produces about 500-550 million tonnes (Mt) of crop residues annually. There is production of 93.9
million tons (Mt) of wheat, 104.6 Mt of rice, 21.6 Mt of maize, 20.7 Mt of millets, 357.7 Mt of sugarcane, 8.1 Mt
of fibre crops (jute, mesta, cotton), 17.2 Mt of pulses and 30.0 Mt of oilseeds crops, in the year 2011-12 (MoA
2012). This huge volume of crop residues is produced both on-farm and off-farm. These crop residues are used as
animal feed, soil mulch, manure, thatching for rural homes and fuel for domestic and industrial purposes and thus
are of tremendous value to farmers. However, a large portion of these crop residues, about 90-140 Mt annually, is

www.tjprc.org editor@tjprc.org
26 Asisan Minz, Kuldeep Kumar & Lily Ekka

burnt on-farm primarily to clear the fields to facilitate planting of succeeding crops. The problem of on-farm burning of
crop residues has intensified in recent years due to use of combines for harvesting and high cost of labours in removing the
crop residues by conventional methods. Crop residue retention is a key component of sustainable cropping systems. In
recent years, retention of crop residue is a means of improving soil quality and nutrient capacity and reducing the adverse
effects of residue burning. The continued use of chemical fertilizers leads to a continued decline in soil quality and other
environmental problems. For example, the application of nitrogen (N) fertilizers is proven to cause low N use efficiency
(NUE) in crops and environmental pollution by the accumulation of NO3–N in the soil (Zhao and Chen 2008). Crop
residues are an important source of plant nutrients and organic matter. Long-term residue retention increases soil microbial
composition and biomass, promotes soil nutrient recycling, increases the soil organic matter (SOM) content (Liu et al.
2011), improves soil quality, creates a soil regime favorable for root development, and results in higher crop yields (Zhao
and Chen 2008). The retention of crop residues has been proven as an effective field practice in terms of reducing nutrient
inputs (Ma et al. 2003), especially in rain-fed conditions. However, the removal of crop residues from the field is known to
hasten the decline in soil organic carbon (SOC), especially when coupled with conventional tillage (Abroet al. 2011).
Therefore, residue retention should be strongly recommended in crop production (Wu et al. 2002). The recycling of crop
residues has the advantage of converting the surplus farm waste into useful product for meeting nutrient requirement of
succeeding crops. Crop residues are a source of organic C for soil microorganisms and also contribute to plant nutrients.
Maize–wheat rotation is a major double-cropping system practiced on more than one fifth of agricultural lands worldwide.
Currently, more than 50 % of maize residues are retained immediately after harvesting. Most farmers remove maize straw
for feeding the animals. However, management of the wheat straw is a major challenge as it is considered to be a poor feed
for the animals owing to a high silica content.

Unlike removal or burning of crop residue, incorporation of straw increases soil organic matter and N, P and K
contents in soil. Ploughing is the most efficient residue incorporation method (Christian and Bacon 1991). Crop residues
may be incorporated partially or completely into the soil depending upon methods of cultivation (Dormaar and Carefoot
1996).

Incorporation of maize residues before wheat planting compared to incorporation of wheat straw before maize
planting is difficult due to low temperatures and the short interval between maize harvest and wheat planting. The
incorporation of Crop Residues in the field is beneficial in recycling nutrients, but leads to temporary immobilization of
nutrients (e.g., Nitrogen) and extra nitrogenous fertilizer needs to be added to correct the high C:N ratio at the time of
residue incorporation ( Singh et al. 2008). This N deficiency caused by decomposed microbial immobilization of available
soil and fertilizer nitrogen in the short term. However, this can be reduced with the incorporation of nitrogen as starter dose
along with straw incorporation (Mandal et al., 2004).This paper summarizes state-of-knowledge on the effects of nutrients
and residue management practices on Sulphur dynamics in maize-wheat based cropping systems in Jharkhand. Among
cereals, maize (Zea mays), is an important crop which ranks third after wheat and rice in the world (Rasheed et al., 2004).
It is cultivated with different crop sequence under various agro climatic regions of the country. Hence, it is considered as
potential driver of crop diversification under different situations (Jatet al., 2011). Wheat is the most important cereal crop
of the world. It is the staple food of different countries of the world. With the existing rice-wheat system there isemerging
challenges of natural resource-based degradation, declining crop productivity and ecological problems, the maize based
cropping systems are emerging as an alternative option for diversification of rice-wheat and rice-rice production systems.
Amongdifferent maizebased cropping systems, maize-wheat cropping system ranks first (Jatet al., 2011). However, proper

Impact Factor (JCC): 5.9857 NAAS Rating: 4.13

Effect of Crop Residue and Nutrient Combination on Soil 27
Sulphur Dynamics at Different Stages of Crop Growth
Under Maize - Wheat Cropping System
combination of both organic and inorganic fertilizers have better effects on crop growth and development and yield
component of crop than alone (Manna et al., 2005), due to excess and imbalanced use of nutrients and continuous nutrient
mining from the soil deteriorated crop productivity and ultimately soil health.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The experiment was conducted during the year (2016-17) in Research Farm area of Ranchi Agriculture College,
Birsa Agricultural University, which comes under western plateau region (Subzone VI) situated at 23019/ north and 83017/
east with an altitude of 625 meter above mean sea level. The climate of experimental site is tropical with hot wet summers
and mild winters. Temperature can soar upto 420 C in summer. The monsoon season is July to September and the state
receives an annual rainfall of 1456.6 mm. Each plot was divided into two equal parts before sowing of crops. In one part,
straw (maize/wheat) (which was obtained from that plot during last crop) was incorporated along with chemical fertilizer
as per treatment and in another part, only chemical fertilizers was applied. Altogether there were comprising five
treatments with and without crop residues incorporation, replicated four times in a Randomized Block Design (RBD) to
give a total of 40 experimental units. The experiment consisted of five treatments including: T1 - ample NPK (250: 120:
120 kg/ha), T2 - omission of N with full P and K (-N = 0: 120: 120 NPK kg/ha), T3 - omission of P with full N and K ( -P =
250: 0: 120 NPK kg/ha), T4 - omission of K with full N and P (-K = 250: 120: 0 NPK kg/ha) & T5 - SSNM (200: 90: 100
NPK kg/ha) for maize in kharif season. The corresponding treatments for wheat in rabi season were (T1= NPK) 150: 110:
100 kg/ha, (T2 = -N) 0: 110: 100 NPK kg/ha, (T3 = -P) 150: 0: 100 NPK kg/ha, (T4 = -K) 150: 110: 0 NPK kg/ha and (T5 =
SSNM) 120: 70: 60 NPK kg/ha. The recommended fertilizer dose for maize crop was treated as NPK (250:120:120) and
SSNM (200:90:100), while wheat was shown in the same plots of Kharif with different dose of NPK (150:110:100) and
SSNM (120:70:60). The widespread use of high-analysis, granular S-free NP fertilizers such as urea, mono-ammonium
phosphate (MAP), diammonium phosphate (DAP) and triple superphosphate (TSP), together with more intensified
cropping with higher yields, has resulted in increasing occurrences of soil S-deficiency in many countries (Chienet al.,
2009). The sources of N, P, and K were urea, single super phosphate and muriate of potash, respectively. The fertilizer
single superphosphate which contains and supply 12% S in addition to 16% P2O5 to the experimental crops. The
application of nitrogen and potash in maize crop was applied as a base and V4 stage in two splits while in wheat was also
completed in two splits (50% basal + 50% CRI stage) as per the treatments. The maize hybrid used was Pioneer- 3377 with
a planting geometry of 70 x 18 cm2 and the wheat variety was DWB- 17 with a spacing of 30 x 10 cm2. Soil samples from
the plots of each treatments and replication were collected at depth 0-15 cm. The soil samples were collected at different
stages i.e. at V4 stage, V10 stage and after harvest of the maize crop (during maize crop season) and at CRI (Crown root
initiation), PI (Panicle initiation) and after harvest of wheat (during wheat Crop season). Soil samples were ground on a
wooden plank with wooden roller. The soil samples were mixed thoroughly and were passed through 80 mesh sieve and
stored in cellophane bags with appropriate levels in a clean and dry place. Plant samples at different growth stages of the
maize (V4, V10 and after harvest stages) and wheat (CRI, PI and after harvest stages) crops as per treatment, straw and
grain samples at harvest were collected and brought to the laboratory. The plant samples were washed with double
distillation water; air dried and kept in brown paper bags with proper tagging. The samples were air dried in hot air oven at
650C or dried in a dry oven at 600C for 3-4 days. Oven dried plant samples were ground in steel blade grinder and kept for
analysis.

www.tjprc.org editor@tjprc.org
28 Asisan Minz, Kuldeep Kumar & Lily Ekka

Nutrient availability and their uptake and post-harvest fertility status of soils were noted. The soil of the
experimental site was sandy loam. Initial soil available nutrients in each treatment plot of the experimental site were
assessed. The experimental soil was sandy loam in texture. The soil samples were analysed by following standard
procedure for the soil’s available sulphur was extracted by 0.15% CaCl2 solution (William’s and Steinberg, 1959). The
sulfur content in plant (grain and straw) samples was digested in diced mixture HNO3: HClO4 (10: 4) and determined using
the turbidimetric method of (Chesnin and Yien, 1951).

The S uptake by maize and wheat were computed from their respective nutrient concentration in plant
components by using expression:

Nutrient Uptake (kg ha-1) = Nutrient Concentration (%) x Yield (q ha-1)

Nutrient Harvest Index (S) of maize and wheat were computed by using expression

Nutrient uptake (by grain or straw) in kg ha-1

Nutrient Harvest Index (%) = X 100
Total uptake (grain uptake + straw uptake) (kg ha-1)

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

Available S

The data presented in table-1 indicate available sulphur content of soil at three different stages of maize at 0-15
cm depth varied from 25.6-123.6 kg/ha and 21.3-90.6 kg/ha, with and without incorporation of crop residues. Available
sulphur content of soil decreased up to stage V10and stabilized after harvest of the crop. Available S was minimum in
phosphorus omission plots at all the stages. These results are in agreement with the work of Singh et al (2009) in red soils
of Ranchi. They reported that residues incorporation increased the availability of sulphur. The increase in the available S
with the application of fertilizers might be due to the addition of SSP which contained about 12% of S. These results are in
conformity with the findings of Sharma and Subehia (2014), addition of wheat straw and green manure contributed an
appreciable amount of sulphur i.e. 0.17, 0.06, 0.08%, respectively, adding about 6.0, 3.6 and 1.12 kg ha-1 S to the soil at
50% substitution rate which resulted in increased S content of the soil over control. Sarkar et al. (1998) also reported that
various natural organic sources like compost, FYM and crop residues can supply adequate quantities of S to crop.

Table -1 revealed that available sulphur content of soil at three different stages of wheat i.e. at CRI stage, PI stage
and after harvest of wheat crop at 0-15 cm depth ranged from 13.7-80.7 kg/ha (with residues) and 15.5-85.0 kg/ha (without
residues). In P omission plots, available P reduced considerably which may be due to the absence of SSP which was
applied as the source of P-fertilizer to the crop. At PI stage available sulphur declined from the CRI stage and increased
after harvest in residue incorporated plots. Vermaet al. (2016) also observed similar result that is significant increase in
available sulphur content of soils with incorporation of crop residues. Thakur et al. (2011) also reports, improvement in
soil available S by crop residue incorporation.

S Concentration

The data reported in table- 2 reveal the S concentration in maize plant at different growth stages of maize crop. S
concentration in maize plant ranged between 0.04-0.72% (with straw incorporation) and 0.09-0.52% (without straw
incorporation) and it decreased from V4stage (0.23-0.72%) to V10 stage (0.08-0.13%). While S concentration in wheat plant
at different growth stages ranged from 0.12-0.93% and 0.10-0.42% with and without incorporation of crop residues.

Impact Factor (JCC): 5.9857 NAAS Rating: 4.13

Effect of Crop Residue and Nutrient Combination on Soil 29
Sulphur Dynamics at Different Stages of Crop Growth
Under Maize - Wheat Cropping System
Higher S concentration was recorded in the plants of residue incorporated plots. S concentration was minimum in the
plants of P omission plots. At CRI stage, sulphur concentration varied between 0.18-0.40%, which increased at PI stage
(0.23-0.93%) and decreased after harvest (0.12-0.22%) in the plants of residue incorporated plots (Table- 2).

S Uptake

S uptake by the maize grain varied from 0.32 to 2.22 kg/ha and 0.15 to 2.57 kg/ha with and without incorporation
of crop residues respectively (table-3). S uptake by the grain was minimum in N omitted plot. S uptake by the maize straw
(with residue) varied from 2.79 to 12.09 kg/ha whereas S uptake by the straw (without straw) varied from 0.79 to 12.10
kg/ha. Highest value of S uptake was found with the application of NPK among all treatment. Total S uptake by maize
(with residue) ranged from 3.11 to 14.21 kg/ha whereas S uptake by the straw (without straw) varied from 0.94 to 13.88
kg/ha. Table-3 presented S uptake by the grain, straw and total S uptake of the wheat crop, with and without incorporation
of maize residue. S uptake by the grain (with straw) varied from 0.50 to 2.70 kg/ha whereas S uptake by the grain (without
straw) varied from 0.38 to 2.55 kg/ha. Such an increase was due to the application of graded level of S through SSP and
secondly due to considerable increase in grain yields (Kumar et al. 2011). S uptake by the grain was minimum in N
omitted plot. S uptake by the grain with the application of 120:70:60 (SSNM) was significantly higher than all other
treatments. S uptake by the straw (with residue) varied from 5.98 to 28.97 kg/ha whereas S uptake by the straw (without
straw) varied from 5.69 to 24.52 kg/ha. S uptake by the straw increased with the residue incorporation in nutrient omitted
plots in comparison to without incorporation of crop residues. Total S uptake by the wheat varied from 6.48 to 30.87 kg/ha
and 6.07 to 26.92 kg/ha with and without incorporation of crop residues respectively. Increasing trend was recorded with
incorporation of crop residues in comparison to without residues. The similar result was studied by Pandey et al. (2016).

Sulphur Harvest Index (SHI)

The nutrient harvest index (NHI) is usually used as a parameter for evaluating nutrient utilization efficiency. It
represents a percentage of grain nutrient in total plant nutrient. The critical perusal of data presented in table -4 explain that
crop residue incorporation enhanced sulphur harvest index in nutrient omission plots. In maize crop the S harvest index
varied from 0.10-0.17 per cent (with residue) and 0.13-0.32 per cent (without residue). The mean increase in S harvest
index in residue incorporated N, P & K omission plots was found 69.77, 35.26 & 45.03 per cent respectively than that of
without residue N, P & K omission plots. While in wheat crop the SHI varied from 0.06-0.10 and 0.06-0.12 with and
without residue incorporated plots respectively. The data explicit that crop residue incorporation had increase in S harvest
index was observed after incorporation of crop residues. The harvest index (SHI) was higher with residue incorporation
than without residue. Similar effect was also reported by Wei et al. (2015) based on a four –year field experiment.

CONCLUSIONS

It is concluded that application of nutrients with previous crop straw in long-term was found best among all the
treatments with ample NPK application. Average S content was low at stage V4 and further increased at stage V10 and
stabilized after harvest of the maize crop at 0-15cm depth. In wheat plots with crop residues average S content increased at
PI stage. Maximum S uptake were found with the application of NPK under maize-wheat cropping system with
incorporation of crop residue. With the incorporation of crop residues the nutrient internal use efficiency increased by 3%
in wheat crop.

www.tjprc.org editor@tjprc.org
30 Asisan Minz, Kuldeep Kumar & Lily Ekka

Finally, it is concluded from the present study that nutrient dynamics in the maize-wheat sequence in Alfisol of
Ranchi, with and without residue incorporation has no definite pattern of availability of nutrients in soil and plants at
different stages of crop growth. However, maximum nutrient concentrations were observed at V4 and CRI stages in plants.
Also, the higher concentration of nutrients in soil was associated at the same stages.

REFERENCES

1. Abro, S.A., Tian, X.H., Wang, X.D., Wu, F.Q. and Kuyide, J.E. (2011) Decomposition characteristics of maize (Zea mays. L.)
straw with different carbon to nitrogen (C/N) ratios under various moisture regimes. African Journal of
Biotechnology,10:10149–10156.

2. Christian, D.G. and Bacon, E.T.G. (1991) The effect of straw disposal and depth of cultivation on the growth, nutrient uptake
and yield of winter wheat on clay and a silt soil. Soil Use Management,7:217-222.

3. Chien, S.H., Prochnow, L.I. and Cantarella, H. (2009) Recent developments of fertilizer production and use to increase
nutrient efficiency and minimize environmental impacts. Advance Agronomy, 102:261–316.

4. Chesnin, L. and Yien, C.H. (1951) Turbidimetric determination of available sulphates. Soil Science Society of America
Proceedings, 15: 149-151.

5. Dormaar, J.F. and Carefoot, J.M. (1996) Implications of crop residue management and conservation tillage on soil
organic matter. Canadian Journal of Plant Science, 76:627- 663.

6. Jat, M.L., Sahrawat, Y.S. and Gupta, R. (2011) Conservation agriculture in cereal systems of South Asia: Nutrient
management perspectives. Karnataka Journal of Agriculture Science,24, 100-105.

7. Kumar, V., Pandey, A.K., Prasad, R.K. and Prasad, B. (2011) Long term influence of organic and inorganic sulphur and
fertility levels on yield, distribution and build-up of sulphur under rice wheat cropping system in calciorthents. Journal of the
Indian Society of Soil Science, 59:278-282.

8. Liu, D.H., Shu, L., Chen, Q., Chen, S.H., Chen, H.L. and Zhu, Z.L. (2011) Effects of straw mulching and little- or zero-tillage
on microbial diversity and biomass C and N of alluvial soil in Chengdu Plain, China. Chinese Journal of Applied Environment
and Biology,17:158–161 (in Chinese with English abstract).

9. Ma, Y.L., Shi, H.K., Zhang, S.K. and Lu, R.H. (2003) Whole maize straw addition: the changes of soil physical and chemical
properties and the effect on winter wheat. Journal of China Agriculture University,8 (suppl.): 42–46.

10. Mandal, K.G., Misra, A.K., Hati, K.M., Bandyopadhyay, K.K., Ghosh, P.K. and Mohanty, M. (2004) Rice residue-management
options and effects on soil properties and crop productivity. Journal of Food Agriculture and Environment, 2: 224-231.

11. Manna, M.C., Swarup, A., Wanjari, R.H., Ravankar, H.N., Mishra, B., Saha, M.N., Singh, Y.V., Sahi, D.K. and Sarap, P.A.
(2005) Long-term effect of fertilizer and manure application on soil organic carbon storage, soil quality and yield
sustainability under sub-humid and semi-arid tropical India. Field Crops Research, 93, 264-280.

12. MoA. (Ministry of Agriculture). Govt. of India, New Delhi.2012. www.eands.dacnet.nic.in.

13. Pandey, A.K., Kumar, V. and Prasad, J. (2016) Effect of continuous cropping and fertilization on sulphur
fractions and their contribution to sulphur uptake under rice- wheat system in calciorthents. Journal of the Indian Society of
Soil Science,64(2): 163-168.

14. Rasheed, M., Ali, H. and Mahmood, T. (2004) Impact of nitrogen and sulfur application on growth and yield of maize (Zea
mays L.) crop. Journal of Research Science, 15: 153- 157.

Impact Factor (JCC): 5.9857 NAAS Rating: 4.13

Effect of Crop Residue and Nutrient Combination on Soil 31
Sulphur Dynamics at Different Stages of Crop Growth
Under Maize - Wheat Cropping System
15. Singh, B., Shan, Y.H., Johnson-beeebout, S.E., Singh, Y. and Buresh, R.J. (2008) Crop residue management for lowland rice-
based cropping systems in Asia. Advance Agronomy, 98:118-199.

16. Sarkar, M.C., Sachdev, M.S. and Datta, S.P. (1998) Interaction of soil organic matter with nutrients. Bulletin of Indian Society
of Soil Science,19: 90-102.

17. Sharma, U. and Subehia, S.K. (2014)Effect of Long-Term Integrated Nutrient Management on Rice (Oryzasativa L.) - Wheat
(Triticumaestivum L.) Productivity and Soil Properties in North-Western Himalaya.Journal of the Indian Society of Soil
Science,62(3):248-254. Singh, A. K.,Sarkar, A.K.and Mishra, B.(2009). Long-term effect of residue incorporation on crop
yield, nutrient uptake and availability of plant nutrients in an acid soil. IndianJournal of AgriculturalSciences79: (1) 70-72.

18. Thakur R, Sawarkar, S.D., Vaishya, U.K. and Singh, M. (2011) Impact of continuous use of inorganic fertilizers and organic
manure on soil properties and productivity under soybean- wheat intensive cropping of a Vertisol. Journal of the Indian
Society of Soil Science,59:74- 81.

19. Verma, B.C., Datta, S.P., Rattan, R.K., and Singh, A.K. (2016) Long term effect of tillage, water and nutrient management
practices on mineral nitrogen, available phosphorus and sulphur content under rice-wheat cropping system. Journal
of the Indian Society of Soil Science, 64(1): 71-77.

20. Wei, T., Zhang, P., Wang, K., Ding, R., Yang, B., Nie, J., Jia, Z. and Han, Q. (2015) Effect of wheat straw incorporation on the
availability of soil nutrients and enzyme activities in semiarid areas. PLoS ONE 10(4): e0120994. doi:
10.1371/journal.pone.0120994.

21. Williams, C.H. and Steinbergs, A. (1959) Soil sulphur fractions as chemical indices of available sulphur in some Australian
soils. Australian Journal of agricultural research, 10:340-353.

22. Wu, Z.J., Zhang, H.J., Xu, G.S., Zhang, Y.H., Liu, C.P. (2002) Effect of returning corn straw intosoil on soil fertility. Chinese
Journal of Applied Ecology,13:539–542 (in Chinese with English abstract).

23. Zhao, P. and Chen, F. (2008) Effects of straw mulching plus nitrogen fertilizer on nitrogen efficiency and grain yield in winter
wheat. Acta Agronomy Sin34:1014–1018. doi:10.3724/SP.J.1006.2008.01014(in Chinese with English abstract).

APPENDICES

Table 1: Effect of Straw Incorporation and Nutrient Use on

Available S (kg/ha) at Different Stages of Maize and Wheat

www.tjprc.org editor@tjprc.org
32 Asisan Minz, Kuldeep Kumar & Lily Ekka

Table 2: Effect of Straw Incorporation and Nutrient Use on

S Concentration (%) at Different Stages of Maize and Wheat Plants

Table 3: Effect of Straw Incorporation and Nutrient Use on

S Uptake (kg/ha) of Maize and Wheat

Table 4: Effect of Straw Incorporation and Nutrient Use on

Nutrient Harvest Index of Maize and Wheat Crop
S HI Maize S HI Wheat
Treatments With Without Treatments With Without
Straw Straw Straw Straw
NPK(250:120:120) 0.17 0.13 NPK(150:110;100) 0.08 0.11
-N 0.10 0.16 -N 0.08 0.06
-P 0.10 0.32 -P 0.09 0.12
-K 0.14 0.25 -K 0.06 0.08
SSNM(200:90:100) 0.15 0.27 SSNM(120:70:60) 0.10 0.10

Impact Factor (JCC): 5.9857 NAAS Rating: 4.13