Integration of organic manures and inorganic fertilizers on soil properties at different growth stages and yield of paddy in coastal saline soil of Maharashtra

The present investigation was carried out to assess the integration effect of organic manure and inorganic fertilizers on soil properties and yield of paddy (Oryza sativa L.) in coastal saline soil at Khar Land Research Station, Panvel, Maharashtra, India during Kharif season of 2023. The experiment comprising different organic manures viz., farm yard manure (FYM), glyricidia (Glyricidia sepium), dhaincha (Sesbania aculeata) and bhend (Thespesia populnea) and in inorganic fertilizers viz., straight fertilizers, Konkan Annapurna Briquettes (KAB) and Urea-DAP briquettes (UB-DAP) with twenty treatment combinations replicated thrice which was laid out of experimental plot in Factorial Randomized Block Design (FRBD). The results revealed that the incorporation of glyricidia @ 10 t ha-1 with Konkan Annapurna Briquette (34:14:06%; N:P2O5:K2O) @ 167.0 kg ha-1 soil greatly influenced physico-chemical properties such as organic carbon (5.18 g kg-1), available nitrogen (206.18 kg ha-1), available phosphorus (85.57 kg ha-1), and DTPA extractable micro-nutrients of soil. However, the slight reduction in soil pH (7.2), electrical conductivity (2.75) and available potassium (1490.28 kg ha-1) over initial values was observed with integration of organic and inorganic fertilizer. Further, it was noted that the highest and significant grain (44.53 q ha-1) and straw (63.68 q ha-1) yield was recorded in the treatment receiving Konkan Annapurna Briquette (34:14:06%; N: P2O5: K2O) along with glyricidia (10 t ha-1). These results highlight the need for adaptation strategies to mitigate the adverse effects of salinity with the application of organic manures and chemical fertilizers in coastal areas.