Potential Role of Cropping System and Integrated Nutrient Management on Nutrients Uptake and Utilization by Maize Grown in Calcareous Soil

HIGH concentration of CaCO3, pH and EC, are among the main constraints affecting soil health, nutrients solubility, availability and lower productivity. Managing agronomic practices are the best way for insuring soil deterioration. Field experiments, in split plot design, were carried out in two summer seasons of 2017 and 2018 years at Nobaria, Behaira Governorate, Egypt, to investigate the effect of cropping systems and nutrients management on the nutrients uptake and utilize by maize (Zea mays L.). The experiment included three intercropping systems viz., sole maize ; cereal/cereal and cereal/legume and four fertilization treatments viz., recommended dose of NPK (control); half of recommended dose; half of recommended dose+organic manure (compost) 30m3 ha-1 and half of recommended dose+organic manure (compost) 30m3 ha-1+inoculation seeds with multi strains microbial bacteria. Results confirmed that maize/legumes intercropped resulted in superior nutrients uptake and robust improvements in yield advantages. Additionally, intercropped maize/legumes and application the half dose of the recommended chemical fertilizers alongside 30m3 ha-1 of organic manure and seed inoculation with bacteria could mitigate soil nutrients deficiency, increased N, P, K and remaining an increase of final grain yields by 14.47% and 26.41% in both seasons, respectively. While, maize/cereal intercropped increased the uptake of Fe, Mn and Zn. Results highlighted that intercropping systems alongside integrated nutrients management could compensate the reduced dose of synthetic fertilizers. Such practices are the most effective practices can prevent nutrients deficiency and help small householder farmers to achieve high yield.