LAUSR

ABSTRACT Phospho-compost (PC) and poultry manure (PM) were evaluated in field experiments to diversify integrated nutrient management (INM) for rain-fed cotton. Seed cotton yield in the PC (2501–2579 kg ha−1) was similar to the recommended INM (2673 kg ha−1) treatment and was significantly better than nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (100% NPK) (2130 kg ha−1) and farmers practice (FP) (1886 kg ha−1). Yield was lower in the PM (2476–2617 kg ha−1) than in the PC. Nutrient uptake was higher in all INM intervention plots due to an improvement in soil nutrient status compared with those receiving 100% NPK. Soil labile carbon values were higher in the INM treatments (333–452 mg kg−1), with a greater magnitude in the PC-amended plots (402–452 mg kg−1). Carbon management index (CMI) values were higher for the INM than treatments NPK and FP. Among INM interventions, PC plots had higher values than the PM.