Effect of fertility levels on mustard (Brassica Juncea L.) productivity under varying poplar tree densities
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Date
2010-12
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G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand)
Abstract
A field experiment was conducted during rabi seasons of 2008-09 and 2009-10 at AFRC (Old site), Patharchatta of G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar to study the effect of different levels of NPK on growth, productivity and seed quality of Indian mustard and the changes in soil physico-bio-chemical properties and nutrient balance. Treatment consisted of four tree densities (sole crop, 250, 500 and 1000 trees/ha) as main plot and four fertility levels [50, 75, 100 and 125% of recommended (120:40:20 kg/ha) NPK] as sub-plot were laid out in split plot design with four replications.
The results indicated that plant growth was not influenced by the tree densities except at early stage. Mean RGR, LAR and RLGR were improved under 1000/ha tree density. Branching was enhanced under 500 and 1000 trees/ha densities. Numbers of siliquae and seed yield/plant improved underneath trees. However, effective plant population was declined underneath trees but improved branching and siliquae and hence seed yield/plant compensated the seed yield. Seed yield was not influenced by tree densities but only the vegetative growth (stover yield) was affected adversely under trees. Oil content and yield remained unaffected but glucosinolate content was elevated underneath trees. N content in seeds and stover and N, P and K uptake in
stover were lower under 500/ha tree density. Soil organic carbon (SOC) and electrical conductivity increased underneath trees. Soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC) and dehydrogenase activity (DHA) rose with increased tree densities. However, soil bulk density decreased underneath trees. Available N and P balance were negative and maximum negative balance of available P was recorded under 500 trees/ha density. However, available K balance was positive. Higher density (500 & 1000 trees/ha) proved to be economical based on both the tree output and crop yield with soil improvement. Crop growth in term of mean CGR, RGR, LAR, RLGR and yield attributes viz. number of branches, siliquae and seed yield/plant were improved significantly upto 100% and 125% of recommended NPK, respectively. However, seed and the stover and biological yields were improved upto 100% and 125% of recommended NPK in 2008-09 and 2009-10, respectively. Oil content decreased but oil yield improved upto 100% of recommended NPK. Glucosinolate content and protein yield increased with increased fertility levels. N and P contents both in seeds and stover; and K content only in stover improved significantly upto 100% of recommended NPK. However, N, P and K uptake by the crop improved upto 100% and 125% of recommended NPK in 2008-09 and 2009-10, respectively. Moreover, SOC and SMBC were improved upto 75% of recommended NPK. The maximum negative balance of available N and P were observed with 125% and positive balance of available K recorded with 100-125% of recommended NPK.
Thus, it may concluded that 500 and 1000 trees/ha densities with 100% of recommended NPK for mustard crop would be suitable for inter-cropping of mustard with poplar in terms of seed and oil yields, seed quality, over all economics and soil fertility improvement point of view.
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Thesis-PhD
Keywords
soil properties, mustard, physicochemical properties, nutrients, seed quality, agroforestry, soil fertility, plant density