Dynamics of zinc under long‐term application of chemical fertilizers and amendments by maize–wheat cropping sequence in Typic Hapludalfs

This present investigation took place on a continuing long‐term fertilizer experiment, initiated in 1972 at the experimental farm of the College of Agriculture CSK HPKV, Palampur, aimed at studying nutrient dynamics of micronutrients, especially Zn, after continuous use of chemical fertilizers and amendments over the previous 36 years in an acid Alfisol under a maize–wheat system. Treatments investigated were as follows: T1: Control; 100% N; 100% NP; 100% NPK (optimal application ‐ 120:26:33(maize)/25(wheat)); 100% NPK + FYM (10 t ha−1 to the maize crop); T6: 100% NPK + lime (900 kg ha−1); T7: 100% NPK + Zn (25 kg ha−1 as ZnSO4); T8: 100% NPK + Hand weeding; T9: 100% NPK (‐S); T10: 150% NPK (super‐optimal application); and T11: 50% NPK (sub‐optimal application). Different forms of zinc in soil were determined through a sequential extraction method. Results revealed that previous applications of high‐analysis fertilizers and amendments caused a marked depletion in the pools of Zn as compared to buffer plots. All pools of Zn as well as crop productivity and Zn uptake were noticeably greater in farmyard manure (FYM)‐amended plots compared with plots not receiving fertilizer. The residual fraction was the dominant form but organically bound and exchangeable forms were found to play major role in nutrient supply, crop productivity and nutrient uptake. Correlation and regression analysis studies showed that organic forms constituted the most important pool contributing towards variation in yield and uptake by maize and wheat crops. Exchangeable and organically bound forms contributed significantly towards the availability of DTPA‐extractable Zn in soil.