Journal of FARM SCIENCES, Vol 25, No 4 (2012)

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Effect of organics on the physico-chemical properties of soil after bell pepper cropping under open field condition

Vasant M. Ganiger, J.C. Mathad, M.B. Madalageri, H.B. Babalad, N.S. Hebsur, Nirmala B. Yenagi

Abstract


The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effects of organic amendments on soil fertility in terms of physicochemical properties in the process of organic production of capsicum. Field experiments were carried out at Agricultural Research Station, Gangavati, Koppal district, Karnataka for two consecutive seasons of rabi 2005-06 and 2006-07 in the fixed plots. Split plot design with three replications was adopted with two bell pepper varieties viz., California Wonder (V1) and Gangavati Local (V2) as main plot treatments and nine completely organic nutrient sources along with recommended package of practice nutrients and only recommended inorganic nutrients sources were used as sub plot treatments (O1 to O11). The initial and after cropping season soil physico-chemical properties were studied by using standard procedures in their estimation. The results revealed that after two cropping seasons, in general, there was improvement in the soil physico-chemical properties in all the treatments wherever organics were the components of the treatments among the eleven treatments tried. Among the various organic nutrient source treatments the sources of nutrients of O9 (FYM (100 % equivalent to RDN) + 25 ton FYM) treatment had significantly reduced EC of soil (1.32 dS/m) and had highest water holding capacity (39.53 %). The pH of soils from O2 FYM (50%) + VC (50%) equivalent 100% RDN (25% VC top dressing) was reduced to a greater extent (8.05), soil from the O1 (FYM(50%) + VC (50%) equivalent 100% RDN (basal) plots had significantly least (1.23 Mg/m3) bulk density and had significantly highest (543.27 kg/ha) available potassium. Soils from O7 (FYM (50%) + PM (50%) equivalent 150% RDN (basal) had significantly highest (1.53 cm/hr) infiltration rate, the soils from O4 (FYM(50%) + VC (50%) equivalent 150% RDN + 25% VC top dressing) had recorded significantly highest available nitrogen content (263.80 kg/ha) and the soils of O6 (FYM(50%) + PM (50%) equivalent 100% RDN) had significantly highest available phosphorus (45.88 kg/ha) content. In conclusion, the soils of O5 (basal applications of N equivalent (150 kg/ha) through FYM 50 % and poultry manure 50%) was found most superior in improving the physico-chemical properties of the soil.

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