Role of STCR approach in improving yield and growth parameters of cropping systems under Vertisol conditions in Chhattisgarh

A field experiment was conducted over two consecutive years (2022-23 and 2023-24) to evaluate the effect of Soil Test Crop Response (STCR)-based fertilizer application on the performance of a Cowpea-Potato-Cucumber cropping system in Vertisols of Chhattisgarh, India. The study, executed at the Research cum Demonstration Farm of IGKV, Raipur, followed the STCR methodology developed by Ramamoorthy et al. (1967) and involved graded nutrient applications to create fertility gradients. Three fertilizer treatments, Control (N₀P₀K₀), Recommended Dose of Fertilizers (RDF) and STCR-based fertilizer dose were tested for each crop. Results demonstrated that the STCR-based treatment T8 (ST-ST-ST) significantly improved all measured growth and yield parameters across crops. Cowpea under STCR based nutrient management showed the highest plant height (77.78 cm), early flowering (48.68 days), and pod yield (9.55 t/ha). Similarly, potato recorded the highest plant height (55.95 cm at 90 DAS), highest total tuber yield (25.78 t/ha) and marketable yield (21.91 t/ha). In cucumber, the STCR approach recorded maximum vine length (154.57 cm), number of branches (3.20), number of leaves (86.03) and fruit yield (5.65 t/ha). These findings highlight the effectiveness of STCR-based nutrient management in enhancing crop productivity and resource use efficiency in intensive cropping systems. Adoption of such site-specific fertilization strategies holds promise for sustainable intensification and improved soil health in rainfed and irrigated agro-ecosystems of Chhattisgarh region.