Soil Test Based Fertilizer Recommendation and Verification for Maize Grown in Mid Hills of Meghalaya

A maize experiment on soil test crop response (STCR) correlation studies was conducted in mid hills of Meghalaya during Kharif season of 2005. Multiple regressions equations have been calibrated for predicting maize yield through soil and fertilizer nutrients. Using the basic fertilizer response data, crop nutrient requirement per quintal of grain production, efficiency of soil available nutrients and efficiency of fertilizer nutrients were worked out. The nutrient requirement (kg q^-1) of N, P₂O₅ and K₂O were found to be 6.97, 1.42 and 1.04, respectively for producing one quintal of maize yield in Meghalaya.. The nutrient requirement (kg q^-1) of N, P₂O₅ and K₂O were found to be 4.06, 1.60 and 2.15, respectively for producing one quintal of rice yield in Meghalaya. The fertilizer adjustment equations and a ready reckoner of optimum fertilizer doses at varying soil test values for attaining yield target of 40 and 50 qha^-1 of maize yield have been calibrated based on the targeted yield concept. Using these fertilizer equations, four field experiments with maize were conducted during Kharif 2006 at different locations in farmers' fields. The experiments indicated that it is possible to target the maize yield up to 45 q ha^-1. The targeted yield equations and the fertilizer ready reckoner developed for maize grown in Meghalaya are useful for large scale recommendation by the soil testing laboratories of Meghalaya. along with fertilizer adjustment equations.