Himalayas farmer participatory evaluation of balanced application of nutrients in rice (Oryza sativa)–wheat (Triticum aestivum) system in Kumaon hills

A study was conducted by involving 24 farmers in their fields during 2011–13 in lower Kumaon hills, to study the response of rice (Oryza sativa L.)–wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) system to balanced nutrient application. The highest mean grain yields of rice (7.21 t/ha) and of wheat (5.14 t/ha) were recorded with the recommended doses of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (120, 60 and 40 kg/ha respectively, to both the crops) applied along with the sulphur @ 20 kg/ha followed by recommended NPK alone without micronutrients (7.01 and 5.01 t/ha, respec tively, for rice and wheat).  During both the years, grain yields of rice and wheat under the farmers’ practice of nu trient application were significantly lower than the other treatments except control and N alone. In rice crop, appli cation of recommended doses of N, P and K provided additional mean grain yield of 1.50 t/ha over the farmers’ practice, whereas it was 1.04 t/ha in wheat. Application of sulphur @ 20 kg/ha over the recommended dose of NPK to both the crops resulted in additional grain yield of rice and wheat by 200 and 130 kg/ha, respectively, it also resulted in the highest production efficiency (45.4 kg/ha/day). The highest net returns were found under the treatment receiving recommended dose of NPK along with sulphur @ 20 kg/ha ( 150.15 × 103/ha) and it was 54.8% higher over the farmers’ practice of fertilizer application. The soil fertility status after harvesting of wheat in rice–wheat cropping system revealed that highest available nitrogen (298 kg/ha), phosphorus (16.9 kg/ha) and po tassium (200 kg/ha) were observed with recommended doses of N, P and K along with sulphur @ 20 kg/ha to rice and wheat crops in sequence.