Effect of integrated plant nutrient management on soil fertility and crop productivity under Cauliflower-Amaranth-T. Aman Rice Cropping Pattern in Tista Meander Floodplain Soils of Bangladesh

A field experiment on Cauliflower-Amaranth-T. aman rice cropping pattern was conducted in Tista Meander Floodplain Soils (AEZ-3) at Sherpur, Bogura during the year of 2014 to 2016 with the objectives to enhance soil fertility through a balanced use of mineral fertilizers combined with organic sources of plant nutrients, to improve the efficiency of plant nutrients thus limiting losses to the environment and to increase sustainable crop yield. Eight treatments were tested. Treatment T₅ (3 t ha^-1 PM + IPNS) achieved the highest yields for all crops: cauliflower (43.0 and 51.33 t ha^-1), amaranth (63.33 and 65.0 t ha^-1), and T. aman yield (5.10 and 5.46 t ha^-1). T₅ also had the highest gross margin (582,882/- Tk ha^-1 yr.^-1) and benefit-cost ratio (2.78). Soil quality improved in order to incorporation of organic manures through integrated plant nutrition system. The native nutrient treatment produced the lowest yields.