Humic acid and Hydrogel Influence on Maize Productivity and Soil Fertility of Alfisols

Abstract:

A field study was carried out to study the performance of superabsorbent polymer at 2.5 and 4.5 kg ha-1 and humic acid at 15 and 30 kg ha-1 alone and their combinations with 100% RDF on yield, bulk density, soil moisture content, relative water content and soil chemical parameters (pH, EC, OC, N, P2O5 and K2O) of maize grown alfisols under rainfed conditions at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Palem, Telangana. Conjoint application of hydrogel @ 4.5 kg ha-1 + humic acid @ 30 kg ha-1 along with 100% RDF package significantly increased the pooled grain and stover yield (7136 and 8457 kg ha-1) of maize. The bulk density (g cm-3) of the soil not influenced significantly among the different combinations of humic acid and hydrogel with 100% recommended dose of maize fertilizers. However, the soil moisture content (%) exerted significantly as 19.95 & 21.53 and 20.66 and 21.69% as compared to that of 100% RDF (12.28 & 13.96 and 13.09 & 14.12%) at tasseling and dough stages in both the years and similar results were observed with relative water content (%). The pooled soil pH, EC and OC were not shown any significant difference among the treatments over control values. Irrespective of hydrogel and humic acid combinations with 100% RDF increased the available macronutrient (N, P2O5 & K2O) status as 179.30, 72.88 and 391.01 kg ha-1 over control treatment (147.88, 56.33 and 362.11 kg ha-1). This examination demonstrated positive interaction of humic acid with super absorbent polymer to improve maize productivity and soil fertility status in drylands.