Soil Test Based Nutrient Dose Refinement in Chilli
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Date
2012
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Publisher
UAS, Dharwad
Abstract
Soil fertility survey in the chilli growing areas of Zone-VIII was carried out
during May-June 2011 by collecting 57 surface soil samples. The soil pH was neutral
to slightly alkaline (6.1-9.5), EC was non-saline (0.09-1.43 dS m-1), available nitrogen
status was low to medium (112-672 kg ha-1), phosphorus was medium in status (15.6-
68 kg ha-1) and available potassium was high (168- 576 kg ha-1). All the
micronutrients remained sufficient in surveyed fields except iron.
Based on soil fertility survey a field experiment was conducted during kharif
2011 at a farmer’s field in Koliwad (Hubli taluk) village in Northern transitional Zone
(Zone - VIII). The treatments consisted of refined fertilizer doses based on soil
fertility test results. The experimental field in Koliwad village is located between 150
21' N latitude and 750 24' E longitude and at an altitude of 629 m above mean sea
level (MSL).
Among the treatments, STCR dose of NPK, proved to be superior with respect
to growth parameters i.e. plant height (84.5 and 95.4cm), number of branches (24.6
and 30.2) and dry matter accumulation (84.4 and 120.7g plant-1) at both 60 DAT and
harvesting stage. It was followed by soil test based N and K ± 50 per cent and P + 25
per cent.
Yield attributes i.e., number of fruits per plant (65), fruit length (13.8cm) and
fruit yield (1257 kg ha-1) were the highest in STCR dose of NPK, which however, was
on par with soil test based N and K ± 50 per cent and P + 25 per cent. Both these
treatments were superior over rest of the treatments.
The STCR dose of NPK followed by soil test based N and K ± 50 per cent and
P + 25 per cent recorded higher uptake of nutrients as compared to other treatments.
Soil available major nutrients were also influenced by soil test based fertilizer dose
application. Higher availability of N, P2O5 and K2O were recorded in STCR dose of
NPK as compared to rest of treatments. However, S, Zn, Fe, Mn and Cu availability
were not influenced.
The highest dehydrogenase and phosphatase activity was observed in the PSB
treated plot. However, modified dose of fertilizers application did not influence the
soil enzyme activity. The gross return, net return and B:C ratio were higher in STCR
dose of NPK treatment followed by soil test based N and K ± 50 per cent and P + 25
per cent over rest of the treatments. The RDF and STL were significantly inferior to
both in STCR dose of NPK and STL dose of NPK.