Effect of fertility levels and mulching on nutrient mobilisation in soil and plants of short duration rainfed sweet corn (Zea mays var. saccharata (Sturtev.) L.H.Bailey)

India has a huge potential for rice residue, which if burnt causes a substantial environmental loss. Similarly, the rainfed sweet corn (Zea mays var. saccharata (Sturtev.) L.H.Bailey) cultivation often faces the problem of nutrient deficiency, especially phosphorus (P). Therefore, the present study was conducted at agriculture research form, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India and in the years 2013 and 2014. To evaluate the effects of nutrient levels and mulch are helpful in enhancing crop and soil nutrient status and balance. Therefore, an experiment was conducted keeping three fertility levels (F1: 75 % recommended dose of fertiliser (RDF), F2: 100 % RDF and F3: 125 % RDF) and two mulches (M1: soil mulch and M2: rice straw mulch at 6 t ha-1) in main plots while three P levels (P1: recommended dose of phosphorus (RDP) (100 % P2O5), P2: 150 % RDP and P3: 200 % RDP) in sub-plots. The highest level of RDF (125 % RDF) though recorded better crop nutrient status (kernel N 1.619–1.632 %, P 0.240–0.246 %, K 0.184–0.191 % and Zn 30.250–30.449 mg kg-1) and total nutrient uptake in various plant parts (N 2.9–5.3 %, P 9.5–9.6 %, K 7.1–7.7 % and Zn 2.0–2.1 %) but that could not differ from 100 % RDF. Residual nutrients (N 7.1–7.2 %, P2O5 9.0–7.5 %, K2O 7.0–6.2 % and Zn 3.4–1.8 %) in soil were also higher in 125 % RDF. Similarly, 200 % RDP recorded better nutrient status and uptake in plants except Zn content which was higher at the least P rate (65 kg ha-1). Rice residue mulch (6 t ha-1) was superior to soil mulch in terms of plant nutrient status, uptake and residual soil nutrients. However higher fertiliser rate created successive apparent negative nitrogen (N) and zinc (Zn) balance. Similarly, successive application of phosphorus revealed more Zn loss from soil (5.2–5.5 %).