Effect of resource conservation technologies with common weed biomass and fertilizer levels on soil moisture content, productivity and nutrient content and uptake of maize (Zea mays) in wet temperate zone of Himachal Pradesh

Field experiments were conducted during 2005-06 for evaluating the effects of RCTs and nutrient levels on plant growth, yields and nutrient uptake of rainfed maize in wet temperate zone of Himachal Pradesh. The treatments comprised moisture conservation practices \{conventional tillage (CT), conventional tillage + mulch (M+CT) and minimum tillage + mulch (M+MT) and 2 fertilizer levels (50 and 100% of recommended dose of NPK). Results indicated that application of Lantana camera L. and Eupatorium odenoforum L. etc as mulch 25-30 days before sowing of maize recharged the seed zone moisture. Sowing succeeding maize with minimum tillage + mulch material conserved higher soil moisture which might have lead to optimum seedling emergence, better root and shoot growth consequently higher grain, stover yields, B.C ratio and N uptake in comparison to conventional tillage + mulch and conventional tillage. Application of 100% of recommended NPK significantly increased the plant growth, grain and stover yields with reduction in B.C ratio over 50% RDF. A build-up was recorded in available K content however, available N and P decreased slightly.