An Asian Journal of Soil Science

S. S. Gadhiya ¹, B. B. Patel ², N. J. Jadav ², R. P. Pavaya ², M. V. Patel ², V. R. Patel ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Agricultural Chemistry and Soil Science, C. P. College of Agriculture, S. D. Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar (Gujarat), IN
2 Department of Agricultural Chemistry and Soil Science, C.P. College of Agriculture, S.D. Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar (Gujarat), IN

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at Cotton Research Sub-Station, S. D. Agricultural University, Khedbhrahma (Gujarat) in randomized block design (factorial) during the kharif season of 2005-06. Three levels each of N (160, 200 and 240 kg ha^-1), P₂O₅ (0, 20 and 40 kg ha^-1) and K₂O (0, 40 and 80 kg ha^-1) were tried. Total 27 treatment combinations were replicated three times. The results indicated that Bt cotton crop fertilizing at 240 kg N ha^-1 significantly increased yield attributes viz., plant height, sympodial branches per plant, No. of bolls per plant, No. of seeds per boll and boll weight as well as seed cotton yield, quality and nutrient uptake. Fertilizing Bt cotton at 40 kg P₂O₅ kg ha^-1 numerically increased yield attributes and seed cotton yield of 2427 kg ha^-1 which was at par with 20 kg P₂O₅ ha^-1. An application of 80 kg K₂O ha^-1 significantly increased yield attributes viz., plan height, sympodial branches per plant, number of bolls per plant, boll weight and seed cotton and stalk yield. However, this level was at par with 40 kg K₂O ha^-1 in yield attributes, seed cotton and stalk yield. Application of 80 kg K₂O ha^-1 removed higher N (53.48 kg ha^-1) and K (50.46 kg ha^-1) which was statistically at par with 40 kg K₂O ha^-1. Among all treatment combination numerically highest seed cotton yield (2641 kg ha^-1) and maximum net realization of Rs. 38704 ha^-1 was recorded under treatment 240 kg N ha^-1 + 20 kg P₂O₅ kg ha^-1 + 40 kg K₂O ha^-1 (N₃P₁K₁). Thus, the results of present study indicated that potential production and profit from Bt cotton crop can be secured by fertilizing the crop with 240 kg N ha^-1, 20 kg P₂O₅ kg ha^-1, and 40 kg K₂O ha^-1 under irrigated condition.

Keywords

Bt Cotton, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium.

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N. J. Jadav ¹, R. P. Pavaya ¹, V. R. Patel ¹, B. B. Patel ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Agricultural Chemistry and Soil Science, C.P. College of Agriculture, Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar (Gujarat), IN

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at Agronomy Instructional Farm, C. P. College of Agriculture, S. D. Agricultural University (erstwhile G.A.U.), Sardarkrushinagar during rabi and summer seasons of 2003 to study the “Influence of soil compaction and industrial wastes on yield and nutrients uptake by wheat-pearl millet crops grown in sequence in loamy sand soil”. Total twenty one treatment combinations comprising of seven levels of soil compaction viz., 1.50 (C₀), 1.68 (C₁) and 1.70 (C₂) under dry condition; 1.80 (C₃), 1.85 (C₄), 1.75 (C₅) and 1.83 (C₆) Mg m^-3 bulk densities under wet condition and three levels of industrial wests viz., control (Iw₀), ETP sludge (Iw₁) and fly ash (Iw₂) @ 10 t ha^-1 were tested in a split plot design with four replications. The results of the field investigation indicated that soil compaction treatments of C₄/C₆ increased the grain and straw yield of wheat as well as subsidiary crop of pearl millet. The per cent increase in grain yield of wheat due to C₄ and C₆ levels was 21.3 and 24.3 per cent over control, respectively. Similarly, these treatments also showed residual effects on pearl millet productivity by 23.8 and 14.7 per cent higher over control, respectively. Soil compaction produced beneficial effects on growth and yield attributes of all the three crops. However, it was found significantly superior in obtaining higher plant height, total and effective number of tillers per plant of wheat and pearl millet and test weight of grain of both the crops. Higher levels of soil compaction (C₄, C₆, C₃ and C₅) attained through 4 and/or 8 passes of iron roller at certain moisture content recorded higher content and uptake of nutrients (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu) in grain and straw of wheat as well as succeeding crop of pearl millet. As regards the use of industrial wastes, it was observed that incorporation of ETP sludge (Iw₁) significantly increased grain and straw yields both the two crops over by fly ash (Iw₂) and control (Iw₀). The per cent increase in grain yield of wheat and pearl millet due to ETP sludge was 10.1 and 10.9 and that of fly ash was to the tune of 7.8 and 8.0, respectively over control. Industrial wastes enhanced content and uptake of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu by grain and straw of all the three crops. Generally, these followed the order ETP sludge>fly ash>control for removal of above ions.

Keywords

Soil Compaction, ETP Sludge, Fly Ash, Wheat, Pearl Millet, Loamy Sand Soil.

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