Effect of Nutrient Management and Crop Residue Incorporation on Phosphorus Uptake of Maize (Zea mays L) at Different Growth Stages

The uptake of phosphorus was found to increase with each successive increase in nitrogen level from 200 to 300 kg ha-1 and up to 60 kg ha-1 with increase in age of the crop with higher uptake at 300 kg N ha-1 and 60 kg P2O5 ha-1. Crop sown in N3P3 (300 kg N + 80 kg P2O5 ha-1) recorded significantly higher phosphorus uptake by grain. Higher nutrient uptake was recorded in F2 (125% of F1) and F4 (F2+ Kharif crop residue incorporation), while the sub plot F1 (Recommended dose of N and P2O5) and F3 (F1+ Kharif crop residue incorporation) recorded lower nutrient uptake during both the years. The uptake of phosphorus by maize increased with each successive increment of nitrogen and phosphorus but the trend is not consistent. The higher level of nutrients supplied through increased dose of nitrogen along with phosphorus is conducive for extensive root proliferation, to explore a greater volume of soil and absorb larger quantities of nutrients. Enhanced uptake of nutrients often tends to correlate positively with dry matter production and concentration of nutrients in the plant under higher level of nutrient supply. Residues of corn did not affect the P uptake and the nutrients released from corn residue is not a major contributor for subsequent corn nutrient uptake in sandy loam soils as is evidenced with highest nutrient uptake in the plots received with 125 % recommended dose either with or without residue incorporation.