Influence of organic sources of nutrients on vanilla (Vanilla planifolia) as an intercrop in coconut garden
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Date
2016-08
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Abstract
Performance of vanilla, as influenced by organic source of nutrition when grown as intercrop in coconut garden, was studied in
sandy loam soil at ICAR-CPCRI, Kasaragod, Kerala for seven years. Field experiments were carried out with different sources of
organic manures, recommended NPK fertilizer and no fertilizer treatments. Application of cow dung slurry (6 tonnes ha-1) resulted
in vigorous growth of vine (vine length of 5.5 m) and higher number of beans per vine (208) and a significantly higher mean fresh
yield of bean (1.87 kg vine-1). Application of vermicompost (5 kg plant-1) + biofertilizers (Bacillus and Azospirillum) and vermiwash
were on par and recorded mean fresh yield of 1.47 kg vine-1 and 1.30 kg vine-1, respectively. Control treatment without fertilizer
application recorded significantly lower fresh bean yield (0.55 kg vine-1) due to lower number of beans per vine (72 nos.). In the
rhizosphere of vanilla, no significant difference for either bacterial or actinomycetes population was noticed among the treatments.
The fungal population differed significantly among the treatments and the highest population level was found with application of
biogas slurry (62.1x103 cfu g-1 soil),which was on par with application of cow dung slurry (59x103 cfu g-1 soil). Among the
function specific microbial communities, the highest population of P-solubilisers (98x103 cfu g-1 soil) was recorded in the biogas
slurry treatment, and it was the lowest in control and vermiwash application treatments. The average coconut yield realized during
experimental period (2004-05 to 2009-10)
Description
Keywords
Coconut, intercropping, organic nutrient source, vanilla
Citation
Journal of Plantation Crops, 2016, 44(2): 85-89