Integrated Nutrient Management Studies in Papaya (Carica papaya L.)
Abstract
Field experiments were conducted at Department of Horticulture, University
of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad during 2006-08 to study the influence of organic
manures and their combinations and integrated nutrient management practices mainly
use of organic manures with varied levels of RDF on growth, yield and yield
components, quality, post-harvest parameters, major and micro-nutrient status of the
soil after crop harvest in papaya (cv. Surya).
In the organic manure experiment, all the growth parameters and yield
components were improved with the organic manurial treatments comprising of FYM,
agrigold, vermicompost, sheep manure either alone or in combination with FYM.
Application of organic manures had an additive effect on the quality attributes and
with respect to post-harvest traits, organic manure treatments registered least
physiological loss of weight with higher fruit firmness and longer shelf life of papaya
fruits. Fruit yield was maximum in FYM @ 100% RDN followed by FYM + agrigold
each with 50% RDN and agrigold @ 100% RDN (173.9, 172.9 and 170.6 t/ha,
respectively). The ratio of benefit:cost was maximum (5.85) with pressmud and
minimum with bhumilabh @ 100% RDN (2.25).
In integrated nutrient management experiment, FYM, vermicompost,
pressmud, sheep manure and agrigold applied @ 50% RDN in combination with
varied levels of RDF (50, 100 and 150%) recorded higher values for growth, yield
components, quality and post-harvest parameters. Significantly higher fruit yield of
197.3, 196.3 and 192.6 t/ha was recorded in FYM, agrigold and
vermicompost @ 50% RDN with RDF @ 150%, respectively. While, control with
RDF @ 50% recorded lower fruit yield of 120.5 t/ha. The B:C ratio was higher with
pressmud @ 50% RDN + 50% RDF (6.03) and was lower in vermicompost @ 50%
RDN + 150% RDF (3.37).
In both the experiments, higher organic carbon content, available major
nutrients and DTPA extractable micronutrients were noticed with the application of
organic manures as compared to control.