Abstract

A pot culture experiment was conducted at Indian Institute of Soil Science to compare the nutrient uptake pattern of rainy season crops such as maize, soybean, sorghum, pearl millet, finger millet and rice. Crop biomass was taken at 30, 50, 75 and 90 days after sowing (DAS) and at maturity from each crop. Among the crops grown, total dry biomass was decreasing in the following order; maize > pearl millet > sorghum > soybean> rice > finger millet. With respect to nutrient uptake, soybean crop showed highest nitrogen (N) content in shoot (1.73%), followed by maize (1.12%), pearl millet (1.10%), finger millet and rice (0.79%) and sorghum (0.78%), whereas, maximum phosphorus (P) concentration was in maize followed by pearl millet and sorghum. Micronutrient concentration was more in shoot as compared to roots in all crops except soybean. This study might be useful in the bio-fortification process for fodder purpose. Higher biomass producing maize crop with higher nutrient uptake capacity can be used for agronomic biofortification. It will help for reducing nutritional deficiency in animals.

Key words: Biomass, nutrient uptake, soil fertility.