Browsing by Author "Akhave, S.R."

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    Effect of integrated use of manures and fertilizers on coconut yield and changes in available nutrient content and N, P and K fractions of inceptisols of Konkan region
    (Indian Society for Plantation Crops, 2008) Talashilkar, S.C.; Nagwekar, D.D.; Akhave, S.R.; Dabke, D.J.
    A long-term field experiment was conducted at Regional Coconut Research Center, Bhatye, Dist. Ratnagiri to study the effect of integrated nutrient management on the changes in available nutrient status and fractions of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium of the coastal lateritic soils and leaf nutrient content of coconut. The six treatments comprising T1: control, T2: recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF); T3: 100% N through vermicompost; T4: 50% N through vermicompost + 50% RDF; T5 : neem cake + bone meal + ash and T6: poultry manure were replicated four times in Randomized Block Design. The highest mean nut yield of four years, viz. 2001-02 to 2004-05 was recorded in the treatment receiving recommended dose of fertilizers (98 nuts/palm/year) followed by the treatment receiving 100% N through vermicompost (94 nuts/palm/year) and 50% N through vermincompost + 50% RDF (82 nuts/ palm/year). Available nitrogen status of soil was found to be significantly improved due to application of vermicompost and 50% N through vermicompost + 50% RDF. The significant increase in available phosphorus and potassium status of soil recorded in 50% N through vermicompost + 50% RDF treatment was at par with vermicompost treatment. Maximum exchangeable NH4-N, NO3-N and hydrolysable N were maintained in the treatment receiving 50% N through vermicompost + 50% RDF followed by vermicompost treatment. The differences in Al-P content among the treatments receiving neem cake + bone meal + ash, 50% N through vermicompost + 50% RDF and vermicompost were non significant. As regards to Fe-P content, the treatment receiving neem cake + bone meal + ash and 50% N through vermicompost + 50% RDF were at par with each other and significantly superior over poultry manure, RDF and control. The treatment receiving neem cake + bone meal + ash maintained significantly higher water soluble and exchangeable K content over the treatments receiving poultry manure, RDF and control. Vermicompost is found to be promising source for improving leaf nutrient content. Thus, application of organic manures either alone or in combination with fertilizers is found to be beneficial for improving nutrient availability resulting into enhancement in nutrient uptake by coconut.