Sesbania Green Manuring Improved Soil Health and Productivity of Autumn Maize under Varying Nitrogen Rates

Integrated soil fertility management not only helps to prevent soil degradation but also ensures food security.The present study was conducted to assess the impact of sesbania green manuring (GM) and different nitrogen (N) application levels on soil properties and maize productivity.Maize was grown using six nitrogen levels i.e., 0. 50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 kg ha -1 along with sesbania GM and without GM.The GM improved grain yield (+21%, +37%) due to significant increase in number of grains/cob (+13%, +29%) and 1000-grain weight (+14%, +38%) during autumn 2016 and 2017 respectively.Likewise, GM also resulted in substantial increase in organic matter (OM) (+40%, +88%), organic carbon (OC) (+39%, +88%), available nitrogen (N) (+55%, +210%), total phosphorus (P) (+14%, +112%), and potassium (K) (+11.6%,+19%) as compared with no GM.Similarly, application of N at 250 kg ha -1 observed higher number of grains/cob, 1000-grain weight, biological and grain yield compared with control and other N levels.However, interactive effect of GM and N showed that application of N at 150 kg ha -1 along with GM, outperformed in improving number of grains per cob, 1000-grain weight, maize productivity and agronomic N efficiency.In conclusion, sesbania GM improved the soil OM, OC and total soil N compared with no GM.Moreover, GM along with N application at 150 kg ha -1 harvested higher maize grain yield, agronomic N efficiency and saved 40% N compared with no GM where N at 250 kg ha -1 harvested higher grain yield.