Residual effects of B and Zn fertilizers applied to dry season crops on the performance of the follow‐up crop of maize in Nepal

Abstract Background : Diversified food crop production systems with high‐value vegetable crops are increasingly replacing conventional rice–wheat rotations across Nepal. These newly emerging likely to enhance the demand for micro‐nutrients boron (B) and zinc (Zn), which already widely deficient throughout in However, B Zn fertilizers often either unavailable rural areas, not available a timely manner, or when affordable by smallholder farmers. Aims To overcome multiple constraints concerning need efficient use of amendments technical feasible way high financial efficiency farmers without compromising environment, current study assessed whether soil stock provisioning, e.g ., fertilizer applications dry season crops, may provide sufficient residual effects succeeding non‐fertilized wet crop. Methods A pot experiment was conducted sheltered greenhouse using two contrasting but representative types (Acrisol Fluvisol) collected from rice‐ maize‐based Boron amounts were supplied individually combination wheat, cauliflower, tomato grown 2018, whilst measuring biomass accumulation, concentrations plant tissues all allowed calculating uptake unfertilized follow‐up maize. Results Soil‐applied fertilizers, sole combined, slightly enhanced maize only, significantly increased total uptake, significant differences between types. Furthermore, while shoot consistently above critical levels both soils, especially Fluvisol after wheat cauliflower pre‐crops, more Acrisol. Conclusions The and/or applied preceding benefitted subsequent maize, pre‐crops B, Acrisol Zn. They suffice attain reasonable yields vegetable‐based cropping Nepal, even if available. magnitude pre‐applied largely depended on type, those mainly determined pre‐crop.