Effect of natural and organic input based integrated nutrient system on nutrient uptake by maize crop

Introduction

India's maize production pattern is changing with the growing demand for maize from industries such as poultry, livestock, starch, food processing and ethanol. This crop is changing from a food grain primarily to a valuable industrial product. According to the third advance estimate (2025-26) by Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, maize production reached 55.09 million tonnes. A significant incorporation of maize in India food grain production may be due to its high yield capacity, hybrid vigour and better nutrient status of maize crop. Maize is an exhaustive crop with very high nutrient needs (Bharti et al., 2021) [7] . Several well-documented harmful impacts on soil health, crop productivity and the broader environment result from the continuous use of chemical fertilizers and the intensive cultivation of maize Howe et al., (2024) [4] . Excessive and long-term use of chemical fertilizers may maintain crop yield in the short term, but it may worsen soil quality and damage the environment in the long term. Maize productivity depends largely on nutrient management as maize is a heavy feeder of nutrients (Arthy, 2020) [1] . Therefore, it is highly recommended to integrate chemical fertilizers with organic manures, biofertilizers and other ordinary inputs. This combination can improve nutrient availability, soil health and sustainable maize production. By tailoring fertilizer applications to the unique conditions of each field, farmers can optimize nutrient efficiency, strengthen crop growth and productivity, and reduce both waste and environmental impact. Evidence from multiple studies across diverse cropping systems confirms the effectiveness of Site-Specific Nutrient Management in improving yield outcomes and resource use efficiency (Singh et al., 2015 a, b) [5,6] .

Materials and Methods

The present investigation, entitled "Effect of natural and organic input based integrated nutrient system on nutrient uptake by Maize crop," was carried out at Medicaps University, Indore (M. P.) during the kharif season of 2025. The experiment was carried out at the agriculture farm, Medicaps University, Indore (M.P.) It lies in the Malwa Region of Madhya Pradesh between 22.6210° North latitude and 75.8036° East longitude. The altitude of the town is about 570 meters above mean sea level. The surroundings enjoy extreme winter and summer temperatures with an average maximum and minimum temperature of 40℃ and 12℃. The major precipitation occurs between June and September, which is perfect for rainfed agriculture, and additional irrigation is needed during the summer season. It obtains average rainfall between 700-1060 mm/year since last year's rainfall was very scant. The average soil pH of the study area is 7.35 with silty clay loam texture having an electrical conductivity of 0.28 dS/m and 0.41% organic carbon. The average bulk density was recorded as 1.18 g/cm -3 during research work. The study included nine different treatments. viz: T 1 -100% RDF through vermicompost, T 2 -75% RDF through vermicompost + natural inputs (Beejamrit seed treatment + Jeevamrit 50 ml/lit), T 3 -75% RDF through vermicompost + 25% RDF, T 4 -50% RDF through vermicompost + natural inputs (Beejamrit + Jeevamrit 25 ml/lit) + 50% RDF, T 5 -100% RDF through FYM, T 6 -75% RDF through FYM + natural inputs (Beejamrit + Jeevamrit 50 ml/lit), T 7 -75% RDF through FYM + 25% RDF, T 8 -75% RDF through FYM + natural inputs (Beejamrit + Jeevamrit 25 ml/lit) + 25% RDF, and T 9control (no fertilizer). The field was prepared by a tractor drawn disc plough, cross harrowing and levelling, and then manually laid out as per the plan. The experiment was carried out in 27 plots of 5.0m × 4.0m size each (net size 4.0m × 2.20m). The maize variety "GK3122" was sown with seed rate of 25 kg ha -1 with Beejamrit treatment. Inoculated seeds were dried for 30 min and then sown on July 1, 2025, in rows with a pointed stick. FYM and Vermicompost were applied with recommended doses of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium and Sulphur through Urea, SSP and MOP (120:60:40 kg ha -1 ) by mixing with soil before sowing. Ten plants per treatment were randomly tagged for nutrient uptake analysis. Samples of grain and stover were collected at harvest, cleaned, oven dried at 60 °C and finely ground to a uniform particle size. Nitrogen: Determined by the micro Kjeldahl method (Jackson, 1973) [8] which converts the nitrogen to ammonia for quantification. Phosphorus: Estimated by vanadomolybdo phosphoric acid method (Jackson, 1973) [8] values are reliable. Potassium: Determined by flame photometry (Black, 1965) [2] a sensitive method for ion concentration. Standard formulas were used to calculate nutrient absorption in grain and stover to compare uptake efficiency among treatments.

Data recorded on various growth, yield, and quality attributes were subjected to statistical analysis by following Fisher's method (1947) [10] of analysis of variance (Panse and Sukhatme method, 1967) [9] . The randomized block design (RBD) was adopted for the field experiment.

Results and Discussion

Nitrogen uptake by seed and stover (kg ha -1 ) The data on nitrogen uptake by seed and stover demonstrated in Table 1 were significantly influenced due to treatments as affected by natural and organic input based integrated nutrient management practice. A similar trend was observed in nitrogen uptake by seed and stover. The maximum nitrogen (N) uptake by seed (92.25 kg ha -1 ) and stover (38.30 kg ha -1 ) was recorded in T 4 -50% RDF through vermicompost + Natural farming inputs, Beejamrit (Seed Treatment) Jeevamrit (spraying 25 ml/ lit) + 50% RDF, followed by T 8 -75% RDF through FYM + Natural farming inputs, Beejamrit (Seed Treatment) Jeevamrit (spraying 25 ml/ lit) + 25% RDF, where N uptake by seed (79.85 kg ha -1 and stover 36.55 kg ha -1 ) and treatment T 2 -75% RDF through Vermicompost + Natural farming inputs, Beejamrit (Seed Treatment) Jeevamrit (spraying 50 ml/ lit) where N uptake (74.92 kg ha -1 by seed and 34.92 kg ha -1 by stover). The minimum value of nitrogen (N) uptake by seed (19.56 kg ha -1 ) and stover (18.09 kg ha -1 ) was recorded in T 9 -Control (without fertilizer) treatment. The increased nitrogen uptake under treatment T 4 might be attributed to the balanced and synchronised supply of nutrients through chemical fertilizers and organic sources. Chemical fertilizers give instant nitrogen, vermicompost gives slow release. Application of Jeevamrit and Beejamrit increases microbial activity in the soil which increases availability of nutrients. FYM usually has lesser nutrient concentration, extensive C:N ratio and slower decomposition than vermicompost. Hence, the nitrogen uptake was slightly lower than T 4, while T 9 controls sowing, nutrient deficiencies due to the lack of fertilizer application. Similar findings were also concluded by Kaur et al. (2020) [11] , Darjee et al. (2024) [12] .

The data on phosphorus uptake by seed and stover are illustrated in Table 1. Phosphorus uptake by seeds and stover was significantly influenced by integrated nutrient management practices. The significant higher phosphorus uptake by seed (19.29 kg ha -1 ) and was recorded under T 4 -50% RDF through vermicompost + Natural farming inputs, Beejamrit (Seed Treatment) Jeevamrit (spraying 25 ml/ lit) + 50% RDF followed the treatment T 8 -75% RDF through FYM + Natural farming inputs, Beejamrit (Seed Treatment) Jeevamrit (spraying 25 ml/ lit) + 25% RDF (19.20 kg ha -1 ) and treatment T 2 -75% RDF through Vermicompost + Natural farming inputs, Beejamrit (Seed Treatment) Jeevamrit (spraying 50 ml/ lit) 15.55 kg ha -1 phosphorus uptake recorded by seeds. However, the lowest phosphorus uptake (6.40 kg ha -1 ) was observed under T 9 -Control (without fertilizer) treatment. The statistically higher value of Phosphorus uptake by stover was noticed under T 4 -50% RDF through vermicompost + Natural farming inputs, Beejamrit (Seed Treatment) Jeevamrit (spraying 25 ml/ lit) + 50% RDF (14.00 kg ha -1 ), followed by T 2 -75% RDF through Vermicompost + Natural farming inputs, Beejamrit (Seed Treatment) Jeevamrit (spraying 50 ml/ lit) which yield (13.27 kg ha -1 ) P uptake by stover and T 8 -75% RDF through FYM + Natural farming inputs, Beejamrit (Seed Treatment) Jeevamrit (spraying 25 ml/ lit) + 25% RDF (12.74 kg ha -1 ), whereas the lowest uptake of phosphorus (5.67 kg ha -1 ) was recorded under T 9 -Control (without fertilizer) treatment. This finding is in close agreement with Adhami et al. (2014) [13] , who described that vermicomposting produces organic acids such as malonic, fumaric, and succinic acids, which help in phosphorus solubilization and increase phosphorus availability in soil. This finding is compatible with Sidhu et al. (2025) [14] .

The data on potassium uptake by seed and stover are illustrated in Table 1. Potassium uptake by seeds and stover was significantly influenced by integrated nutrient management practices. The statistically higher potassium uptake by grain was found under T 4 -50% RDF through vermicompost + Natural farming inputs, Beejamrit (Seed Treatment) Jeevamrit (spraying 25 ml/ lit) + 50% RDF (35.24 kg ha -1 ), followed by T 8 -75% RDF through FYM + Natural farming inputs, Beejamrit (Seed Treatment) Jeevamrit (spraying 25 ml/ lit) + 25% RDF (33.15 kg ha -1 ) which was statistical at par with treatment T 2 -75% RDF through Vermicompost + Natural farming inputs, Beejamrit (Seed Treatment) Jeevamrit (spraying 50 ml/ lit) shows 33.04 kg ha -1 potassium uptake by seeds. The lowest value of potassium uptake (12.5 kg ha -1 ) by seed was recorded under T 9 -Control (without fertilizer) treatment. Maximum phosphorus uptake by stover was highest under T 4 , followed by T 2 and T 8 treatments, indicating that phosphorus solubilization and a decrease in P fixation are facilitated by organic acids and phosphatase enzymes released during the decomposition of vermicompost. Thus, T 2 (75% RDF through vermicompost + Beejamrit + Jeevamrit) may have provided more plant-available P during the growing period than T 8 (FYM-based treatment).

While the maximum value of potassium uptake (81.34 kg ha -1 ) by stover was recorded in treatment T 4 -50% RDF through vermicompost + Natural farming inputs, Beejamrit (Seed Treatment) Jeevamrit (spraying 25 ml/ lit) + 50% RDF, followed by the treatment T 2 -75% RDF through Vermicompost + Natural farming inputs, Beejamrit (Seed Treatment) Jeevamrit (spraying 50 ml/ lit) which shows (75.44 kg ha -1 ) K uptake by stover and treatment T 8 -75% RDF through FYM + Natural farming inputs, Beejamrit (Seed Treatment) Jeevamrit (spraying 25 ml/ lit) + 25% RDF (72.44 kg ha -1 ) K uptake by stover. The lowest value of potassium uptake (34.00 kg ha -1 ) by stover was observed in treatment T 9 -control (without fertilizer). The maximum uptake of potassium under T 4 could be due to the cumulative effect of vermicompost, inorganic fertilizers and natural farming inputs which could have maintained a continuous supply of nutrients during the growth of the crop. Potassium is quite mobile in soil, but uptake is mainly a matter of a well developed root system and adequate soil moisture. Nisar et al.

(2025) [15] also reported that the application of organic manures along with the recommended fertilizer dose improves potassium uptake and nutrient efficiency in maize, primarily due to the improvement of soil health and the provision of a balanced nutrient supply. T 2 sowing lesser potassium uptake may be due to the absence of inorganic fertilizer. Under T 8 treatment FYM slower release of nutrients due to a slower decomposition rate than vermicompost. The minimum uptake of N, P, and K in T 9 (control) is due to no external nutrient inputs, which resulted in less nutrient availability for crop growth and development. Singh et al. (2021) [16] , Gogoi et al. (2022) [17] , Patel et al. (2024) [18] .

Conclusion

Integrated nutrient management, a combination of organic manures, natural farming inputs and chemical fertilizers, resulted in significantly higher nutrient absorption in maize than the unfertilized control group, according to the study. Integrated nutrient management (INM) significantly amended the uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in maize as compared to control. Among the treatments T 4 (50% RDF through vermicompost + Beejamrit + Jeevamrit + 50% RDF) recorded the highest nutrient uptake in grain and stover followed by T 8 and T 2 . T 4 performed better because of synergic effect of vermicompost, natural farming inputs and inorganic fertilizers which enhanced nutrient availability and nutrient use efficiency. To summarize, the present study demonstrated that 50% RDF along with vermicompost and natural inputs was a sustainable and effective approach for enhancing nutrient uptake and soil fertility in maize.

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