Studies on the effect of organic nutrient sources on soil properties and yield of okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench] in sub- tropics of Himachal Pradesh
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Date
2021-10-26
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College of Horticulture and Forestry Neri, Hamirpur (H.P.)
Abstract
A field experiment entitled "Studies on the effect of organic nutrient sources on soil properties and yield of okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench] in sub-tropics of Himachal Pradesh" was conducted during kharif 2020 at experimental farm of Department of Soil Science and Water Management, College of Horticulture and Forestry, Neri (Hamirpur), Dr. YSP University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, H.P. in a randomised block design with nine treatments which were replicated thrice. These nine treatments were: T1= sole application of jeevamrit @ 5 per cent at weekly interval, T2= FYM @ 10 t/ha + R.D.F (recommended practice), T3= FYM @ 10 t/ha + jeevamrit @ 5 per cent at weekly interval, T4= FYM @ 10 t/ha + jeevamrit @ 5 per cent at fortnight interval, T5= vermicompost @ 2.5 t/ha + R.D.F, T6= vermicompost @ 2.5 t/ha + jeevamrit @ 5 per cent at weekly interval, T7= vermicompost @
2.5 t/ha + jeevamrit @ 5 per cent at fortnight interval, T8= jeevamrit @ 5 per cent + ghanjeevamrit at fortnight interval and T9= 100 per cent R.D.F where, R.D.F was recommended dose of fertilizers (NPK = 75:50:55 kg ha-1). Treatment T6 recorded increase in growth, yield and quality attributes of okra as compared to recommended practice (T2). Also, T6 recorded higher B: C ratio. Further, soil bulk density, particle density, porosity, soil pH and EC did not differ significantly with the application of different organic nutrients sources. Whereas, water holding capacity, organic carbon content, available N, P, K, S, DTPA extractable micronutrients viz., Fe, Cu, Zn and Mn and biological indicator of soil such as total viable microbial population, microbial biomass carbon and microbial biomass nitrogen were recorded higher in treatment T3 followed by T6. Yield showed highly significant and positive relationship with plant height and number of leaves indicated their importance in influencing yield. Also, yield exhibited significant and positive relationship with soil organic carbon, total viable microbial population, microbial biomass carbon and microbial biomass nitrogen which indicated their importance for nutrient turn-over and their availability to plants. The study revealed that application of jeevamrit @ 5 per cent at weekly interval in combination with vermicompost and FYM showed better results over combined application of R.D.F with vermicompost and FYM.