Journal of Horticultural Sciences

P. K. Basavaraja ¹, P. N. Narasimha Reddy ¹, N. L. Rajesh ¹, K. B. Apoorva ¹

Affiliations
1 AICRP on STCR, Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK, Bangalore – 560 065, IN

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted on red soils (Kandic paleustalfs) of Zonal Agricultural Research Station, GKVK, Bangalore during kharif 2008-09 to develop a targeted yield equation for carrot crop. After developing three levels of fertility gradient with respect to available NPK in soil, the main experiment was conducted by taking carrot as a test crop. Initial soil data, carrot ischolar_main yield and NPK uptake by carrot crop were used for obtaining four important basic parameters, viz., nutrients required to produce a quintal of carrot ischolar_mains (NR%), contribution of nutrients from fertilizers (CF%), contribution of nutrients from soil (CS%) and contribution of nutrients from organic matter (%C-OM). These parameters were used for developing fertilizer-adjustment targeted yield equation. Comparison of the present soil testing laboratory method with Soil Test Crop Response approach of fertilizer recommendation clearly indicated superiority of STCR targeted yield approach for efficient and economic use of fertilizers to attain the required yield target.

Keywords

Carrot, Red Soils, Basic Parameters, Targeted Yield Equation.

Full Text

   

N. Sunitha ¹, P. K. Basavaraja ¹, B. N. Dhananjaya ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, University of Agricultural Sciences, Gandhi Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Bangalore – 560 065, IN

Abstract

A field-experiment was conducted in salt-affected soils of Dodda Seebi tank command area of Tumkur district, Karnataka during rabi season of 2007 to study effect of gypsum, P level, borax and iron sulphate on beet ischolar_main tuber yield and nutrient uptake. Treatments included two main-plot treatments, viz., M0: Control (without gypsum) and M₁: gypsum application @ 9.0 t ha^-1 and eight sub-plot treatments, viz., S₁: Phosphorus @ 100 kg P₂O₅ ha^-1, S₂: Phosphorus @ 150 kg P₂O₅ ha^-1, S₃: S₁ + Borax @ 5 kg ha^-1, S₄: S₂ + Borax @ 5 kg ha^-1, S₅: S₁ + FeSO₅ @ 25 kg ha^-1, S₆: S₂ + FeSO₄ @ 25 kg ha^-1, S₇: S₃ + FeSO₄ @ 25 kg ha^-1 and S₈: S₄ + FeSO₄ @ 25 kg ha^-1. Recommended N and K were applied to all treatments. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three replications. Beet ischolar_main, a salt-tolerant crop, was sown for testing its performance in salt-affected soils. Significantly higher tuber yield of 12.70 t ha^-1 was realized when the crop received gypsum @ 9.0 t ha^-1 compared to control (7.73 t ha^-1), besides higher nutrient uptake by the tubers. Among the nutrients, application of P at higher level (150 kg P₂O₅ ha^-1) plus recommended NK along with borax and iron sulphate realized higher tuber yield (15.72 t ha^-1) as well as nutrients uptake by tubers. Crop that received gypsum in combination with P at a higher level plus recommended NK, along with borax and iron sulphate, resulted in highest tuber yield (19.72 t ha^-1) and nutrient uptake.

Keywords

Salt-Affected Soil, Beet Root, Gypsum, Tuber Yield, Nutrient Uptake.

Full Text

   

P. K. Basavaraja ¹, S. Sridhara ², A. R. Sushma ¹, G. R. Hareesh ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, GKVK, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore-560 065, IN
2 Zonal Agricultural Research Station, Shimoga, Karnataka, IN

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during the Kharif season of 2002 and 2003 under Chromic Haplusterts (medium black soils) at Zonal Agricultural Research Station, Hiriyur to study the effect of Coir Pith Based Compost (CPBC) along with organic manures and inorganic fertilizers on yield of Onion. The study revealed that combined application of CPBC @ 15 t/ha along with press mud (PM) and half the recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) gave significant higher bulb yield of onion (14.70 t/ha) as compared to RDF along with FYM (9.55 t/ha). The bulb yields were on par with the combined application of CPBC along with FYM and 50% RDF or combined application of CPBC and Green manure (GM) along with 100% RDF, indicating the utility of CPBC in onion cultivation. Higher net and gross returns were recorded with application of CPBC and PM @ 15 t/ha each along with 50% RDF with better benefit cost ratio. The yield and quality parameters also differed significantly among the various combinations of CPBC with PM or FYM in conjunction with inorganic fertilizers. Analysis of the soil after the harvest of onion crop did not show any significant difference in pH and EC among the treatments. However, organic carbon, available phosphorus and available potash were significantly higher due to application of CPBC, PM, FYM and GM along with 50% or 100% RDF.

Keywords

Onion, Coir Pith Based Compost, Economics, Soil Properties.

Full Text