Effect of integrated nutrient management on growth, yield and nutrient uptake by soybean (Glycine max) cultivars

A field experiment was conducted at Bichpuri, Agra in Uttar Pradesh during kharif 2009 and 2010 to study the effect of integrated nutrient management on growth, yield, nutrients uptake, economics and energy efficiency of three soybean {Glycine max (L.) Merril} varieties 'JS93 05', 'PK 472' and 'NRC 37' in relation to six nutrient management options (F0: control, F1: 15-13.1-16.6; F2: 30-26.2-33.2; F3: 60-26.2-33.2 NPK kg/ha, F4: 15-13.1-16.6 kg NPK/ha + 2.5 t/ha poultry manure, F5: 15-13.1-16.6 kg NPK/ha + 5 t/ha poultry manure). Results indicated that over the years and varieties, growth parameters, yield traits, seed and stover yields and energy output or total energy were maximum with 15-13.1-16.6 kg NPK/ha + 5 t/ha poultry manure. Economic efficiency, net returns and B:C ratio was the highestwith 60-26, 2-33.2 kg NPK/ha. Across years and nutrient management treatments, cultivar 'JS93-05' recorded higher dry matter/plant, pods/plant, seed weight/plant and seed and stover yields. Highest values of all economic parameters were also the highest for 'JS 93-05' and lowest with variety 'PK 472'. Energy output was also highest for variety 'JS 93-05' (9,90,000 MJ/ha) with lowest energy intensiveness (2.96 MJ/). With balanced and integrated nutrient soybean recorded significantly higher uptake of N and P. Across the years and varieties, maximum N and P uptake was recorded with 15-13.1-16.6 kg NPK/ha + 5 t/ha poultry manure both in seed and stover. Over nutrient management options, maximum N and P uptake was recorded in variety 'JS 93-05'.