Impacts of Vermicompost and Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium Application on Soil Fertility Status in Arecanut Grown on a Laterite Soil
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Date
2012
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Abstract
A field experiment (1998 to 2010) investigated the effects of vermicompost (VC) and
chemical fertilizer (CF) application alone or in combination on soil fertility status
in arecanut. Vermicompost significantly increased the soil pH (6.3) over CF and
integrated treatments (5.7–5.8). Greater soil organic carbon was noticed with VC
(2.85–3.00%) than with CF (1.72–1.89%) and VC + CF (1.89–2.55%) in 2009. Soil
test phosphorus (P) (mg kg–1) significantly increased with VC 200% nitrogen (N) equivalency
(35.3) compared to other treatments (8.5–23.3) at the 0- to 30-cm depth in 2009.
In 2003, soil test potassium (K) (mg kg–1) was significantly greater with CF at depths
of both 0–30 cm (162–187) and 30–60 cm (172–214) than VC and control. Soil test K
depleted with VC application in 2009. Application of VC significantly improved soil test
calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) compared to CF, CF + VC, and control at 0–30 cm
deep. Soil test values for micronutrients increased in 2009 compared to initial status.
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Keywords
Arecanut, laterite soil, organic waste recycling, soil fertility, vermicompost
Citation
Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis, 43:2400–2412, 2012