Integrated nutrient management of coconut-based farming system for sustained productivity

Abstract

Among the horticultural crops, coconut stands second in area after cashew in the state of Goa. A field experiment on integrated nutrient management of coconut-based farming system was conducted between 1999-2002 at ICAR Research Complex for Goa in Old Goa. Three manurial treatments viz; T, (100% organics), T, (50% organics+50% inorganics) and T, (100% inorganics were imposed in both coconut and hybrid napier forage grasses NB-21 and PBN-16 intercropped in coconut garden for three year. The results revealed that yield of forage grass NB-21 was same both in treatment T, (127 t/ha) and T, (126.97 t/ha), the difference being non-significant. However, the highest yield of PBN-16 (106 t/ha/year) was recorded in treatment T2 followed by T, (104.9 t/ha/year), the differences being non-significant. Yield of coconut in NB-21 grass plot increased from 42 nutslpalml year (1998-99) to 67 nutslpalmlyear (2001-2002) whereas in PBN-16 grass plot it was from 80 nutslpalmlyear to 78 nutslpalml year for the period although the differences were non-significant. Soil feyility status of plots receiving only organic manures depicted nearly the same pH over three years while plots receiving inorgariic fertilizers showed a lower pH. There was slight increase in the organic carbon content in the manure applied plots especially in coconut basins. Nitrogen content at a depth of 30-60 cm in the coconut basins was found to be high in the plots receiving only inorganic fertilizers. However, the results obtained were non-significant.

Description

Keywords

Coconut-based farming system, integrated nutrient management, sustained productivity, organic recycling

Citation

Journal of Plantation Crops, 2004, 32 (2): 16-20

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