SUSTAINING SOIL HEALTH AND PRODUCTIVITY OF SWEET CORN THROUGH NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT
Loading...
Date
2018
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University
Abstract
A field experiment entitled “Sustaining soil health and productivity of sweet corn through nutrient management” was conducted at Agricultural College Farm, Bapatla using sweet corn hybrid maize Mahy-301 as a test crop. The experiment comprising of 10 treatments viz., T1 : Absolute Control, T2 : 100% RDF, T3 : FYM @ 5 t ha-1 + LBF @ 1.5 L ha-1, T4 : Beejamrutham + Jeevamrutham, T5: 50% RDF + FYM @ 5 t ha-1, T6 : 50% RDF + LBF @ 1.5 L ha-1, T7 : 50 % RDF + T4, T8 : 25% RDF + T4, T9 : 25% RDF + FYM @ 5 t ha-1 + T4, T10 : 25% RDF +LBF @ 1.5 L ha-1 + T4 laid out in completely randomized block design and were replicated thrice. The experimental soil was non saline and neutral in soil reaction, medium in organic carbon (0.51%), low in available nitrogen (156 kg ha-1), high in available P2O5 (62 kg ha-1) and K2O (1123 kg ha-1) and sufficient in sulphur and micro nutrients. The soil was clayey in texture with a bulk density and water holding capacity of 1.42 Mg m-3 and 52.34 per cent, respectively. FYM and liquid N, P and K biofertilizers were applied to the respective plots one week before and at the time of sowing. Nitrogen and potassium were applied in three equal splits, respectively in the form of urea and muriate of potash as per the treatments whereas entire dose of phosphorus was applied as basal in the form of single super phosphate. Seeds were soaked with beejamrutham and liquid jeevamrutham was applied at every fortnight interval. The influence of various treatments on soil physical, physico- chemical, chemical and biological properties at tasseling and at harvest of crop growth was studied by collecting and analysing soil samples chemically by following standard procedures. The data on biometrical parameters viz., plant height and dry matter production at tasseling and growth and yield parameters viz., plant height, length and girth of the cob, 100 kernel weight, no.of kernels per cob, green cob and stover yield at harvest of crop growth were recorded. The concentrations of macro and
xv
micronutrients in sweet corn at tasseling and harvest of crop growth were estimated using standard procedures and their uptake was calculated. The biochemical parameters of sweet corn were estimated by following standard procedures. The data obtained on chemical analysis was statistically analysed and the results were summarised as follows. The results on physical and physico - chemical properties of soil viz., WHC, pH, EC and OC revealed that non significant influence of treatments during the crop growth. However, superior values were observed in the treatments which received organic sources of nutrients. The available N, P, K and sulphur status were Significantly influenced whereas micronutrients except iron the other nutrients were not significantly influenced by the imposed treatments at both the stages of crop growth. Further, it was observed that availability of both macro and micro nutrients status were improved over the initial status of soil. Similarly the biological properties of soil in respect of dehydrogenase activity and microbial population of bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes were significantly influenced by integration of organic and inorganic sources of nutrients over sole application of inorganic sources of nutrients. The data pertaining to growth, yield and yield attributes of sweet corn at tasseling and at harvest were significantly influenced and the treatment which received 100 per cent RDF recorded highest values and was on a par with treatments integrated with 50 per cent recommended dose of fertilizer with organic sources of nutrients. Significant positive correlation was observed between available macronutrient status and performance of sweet corn. The results on macronutrient content and their uptake revealed that significant influence of treatments at both the stages of crop growth with highest values in T2 (100 % RDF). Except iron, the other micronutrient concentrations in sweet corn were non significantly influenced by the treatments. However, the highest concentrations were recorded in T9 (25% RDF + FYM @ 5 t ha-1 + T4) and regarding the uptake of micronutrients significantly highest was recorded in T2 at both stages of crop growth and were significantly influenced by the treatments. The biochemical composition of sweet corn kernel was significantly influenced by the different nutrient management practices. The maximum protein content (10.56%) was observed in 100 per cent RDF whereas the starch and sucrose contents were observed in treatment T5 (50 % RDF + FYM @ 5 t ha-1).
Description
D5667
Keywords
null