Nutrient management in coconut based cropping system utilizing products from rapid conversion technology of biowastes
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Date
2019
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Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Agriculture, Vellayani
Abstract
The study entitled “Nutrient management in coconut based cropping system utilizing products from rapid conversion technology of biowastes” was carried out at the Department of Soil Science and Agricultural chemistry, Vellayani and Farmers field in Onattukara , Kayamkulam ,Alapuzha during May 2016 to August 2018. The major objective of study was the nutrient management in coconut intercropped with banana (Njalipoovan) and tuber crop elephant foot yam (Amorphophallus paeoniifolius ) variety Gajendra using different products that are produced from rapid conversion technology of biowastes in AEU 3 of Kerala.
In development and characterization of liquid formulation produced by rapid conversion technology, the segregated, ground biodegradable waste was subjected to thermochemical process and extracted using five concentrations (1%,2%, 3%, 6%, 10%) of four extractants KOH (0.1 N), KOH (0.25 M), KCl (2M), distilled water. The best extractant was chosen after screening for shelf life and phytotoxicity test using germination bioassay. KOH 0.25M, 2% and KCl 2M ,3% promoted seed germination, seedling vigour of okra and cow pea were selected. The two concentrations were then tested for their performance in pot culture using amaranthus and tomato. The results indicated that KOH 0.25 M, 2 % was superior to the KCl 2M, 3% solution. KOH 0.25 M 2 % was then fortified using modified Hoagland medium and GA3 1ppm. In banana and amorphophallus 0.1% dilution was given as foliar spray and in coconut 0.5% dilution was given as root feeding. Customisation of organic fertilizer was carried out on the basis of initial soil test results and crop requirements.
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In order to find the effect of treatments in coconut intercropped system a field trial was conducted in RBD with eight treatments and 3 replications. The treatments had significant effect on the soil bulk density and WHC. There was lowering of bulk density in banana and amorphophallus for treatments that received POP and POP +STB. The highest WHC in coconut was for the treatment that received POP+STB. In banana and amorphophallus the WHC was highest for treatment that received POP and POP +STB followed by FFOF. There was a slight increase in the pH, for the treatments that received FFOF, QFOF+LF, HFOF +LF and LF alone. The second and third depths remained unaffected in terms of physical properties due to treatment effects.
In soil carbon pools dynamics the results showed that TOC % was highest in surface soils for the treatments that received POP, POP +STB and FFOF in all the three crops. The labile carbon content was highest for treatment that received FFOF and LF, HFOF+LF, QFOF+LF in coconut for all the three depths. In amorphophallus and banana, the highest was for FFOF followed by the POP and POP+STB. Similar trend was followed in the case of oxidizable carbon, LI and CPI. The dehydrogenase activity was also high in treatments receiving FFOF ad those receiving LF. The earth worm count was mostly related to the rainfall pattern and not the carbon pool dynamics.
There was a gradually increasing trend for soil available nutrients for subsequent years. In the case of coconut the primary nutrients shows a gradual increase in the April -May followed by a hike in August September in surface samples. the treatments that received FFOF was superior or on par with HFOF+LF or LF, POP, POP+STB. Second and third depths nutrient values were usually highest for treatment that received foliar fertilization and root feeding. In banana and amorphophallus POP, POP +STB and LF were either superior or comparable to FFOF. There was an initial increase in nutrient content of soil followed by a gradual decrease. In the case of micronutrients and secondary soil nutrient status FFOF was superior to all other treatments in terms of soil nutrient
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availability that was mostly on par with POP+STB or HFOF +LF treatments for coconut, banana and amorphophallus.
The foliar nutrient concentration in coconut showed a significant change only during the third season of treatment application. The highest foliar concentration was for treatment receiving FFOF, POP, POP+STB followed by the HFOF +LF, QFOF +LF, LF that was on par. In case of banana and amorphophallus a similar pattern was observed.
The yield and yield contributing parameters in coconut showed a significant change during the third observation period of treatment application. The highest yield in terms of nut yield was highest for treatment receiving FFOF, followed by POP, POP+STB and HFOF +LF. A similar trend was seen in banana (18.01 kg) and amorphophallus (7 kg) wherein the yield was highest for treatment receiving FFOF followed by that receiving POP+STB, POP, that was comparable with yield in treatment receiving HFOF +LF.
The Benefit cost ratio in coconut was highest for the treatments that received POP and POP+ STB, followed by the treatment that received half dose of FOF along with root feeding that was comparable with treatments that received QFOF +LF or LF alone. In the case of banana highest B:C ratio of 2.72 was for treatment receiving foliar fertilization alone, followed by FFOF, 2.60 during the first season. The second season the treatment with FFOF was on par with the treatment that received foliar fertilization. In amorphophallus the treatment that received FFOF was having the highest BC ratio followed by the treatment that received HFOF+LF during the first season. The same trend was found in second season.
Hence it can be concluded that application of FFOF will increase the yield, soil nutrient availability and uptake in coconut and inter crops. Half dose of FOF along with LF was equally beneficial for annual crop. In case of coconut when the B:C ratio was calculated despite of the comparatively low yield in treatments that received liquid fertilization and POP, was on par with the treatment that received 229
FFOF, due to the high cost of FFOF. Therefore, if the unit cost of FOF is reduced can increase the B:C ratio for the treatment that receives FFOF, which can be recommended to the farmers for economic and ecologically sustainable intercropping of coconut with banana and amorphophallus.
Description
Ph.D
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Citation
174749