Effect of organic, inorganic fertilizer and their combination on physico-chemical and biological properties of soil cropped under clustered chilli (Capsicum Annuum L.)

Abstract

The present investigations were conducted at the Instructional Farm, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during March to July 1987, August to December 1987 and January to April 1988, to study the effect(s) of organic and inorganic fertilizers and their combinations on physico-chemical and biological properties of soil cropped under clustered chilli; variety KAU Cluster. The experiment comprised of eight treatments and was laid out in a randomised block design. The study revealed that plant height and branches/ plant increased with increasing rates of nitrogen along with FYM. The best result was recorded by treatment T7 (15 t of FYM + 175: 40: 25 kg N, P2O5 and K2O/ha). Higher rates of nitrogen along with FYM induced earliness and increased fruit yield. The various treatments did not record any significant change in fruit length or biomass weight. The organic and inorganic fertilizers and their combinations had no significant effect on the physical and chemical properties of soil. Maximum water holding capacity differed significantly in plots receiving 30 t FYM/ha when compared to control. With regard to chemical properties, the plots receiving inorganic fertilizers alone showed significant reduction in organic carbon, total N and K, available N and P and CEC, when compared to control. The pH and EC of the soil did not show any significant change during the course of experimentation. Studies on the influence of different treatments on the natural incidence of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhiza revealed that maximum infection was seen in plots receiving FYM alone. Infection was also maximum on 30th day after transplanting. Maximum income as well as net income after deducting the additional cost of manures and fertilizers was obtained from plots receiving higher doses of N along with FYM.