Effect of different sources and application mode of zinc and vermicompost on macro and micronutrient availability in sandy loam soil

Abstract

Field experiments on rice crop were conducted on sandy loam soil at crop research center chirodi of SVBP university of Agriculture and Technology Meerut during 2011 and 2012 to evaluate “Effect of different sources and application mode of zinc and vermicompost on residual soil fertility in sandy loam soil”. The treatments comprised of 4 sources of Zn (zinc sulphate heptahidrate, mono zinc sulphate, chelated zinc and micronutrient mixture) and vermicompost with the combination of RDF (NPK @ 120:60:60) in different mode of application (soil application and foliar spray). There were 12 treatments combinations replicated thrice in a factorial randomized block design. The vermicompost @ 3 t ha-1 were applied before transplanting with the combination of RDF during 2011 and 2012. While the graded level of Zn were applied at the time of transplanting, tillering and panicle initiation. The experimental soil was low in organic carbon and available nitrogen and medium in phosphorus and higher in potassium with slightly alkaline in pH. NPK availability in soil at harvest stage was influenced significantly by different treatments during both the years. The highest availability of N (228.36 and 241.44), P (25.17 and 26.29) and K (260.54 and 259.22) kg ha1 during 2011 and 2012 was found in T2 (100% RDF) and it is similar to the treatment T12 where VC @ 3 ton ha-1 + RDF was applied. The highest zinc availability 2.53 and 2.24 ppm during 2011 and 2012 found in T3 (5kg Zn ha-1 through ZnSO4 ) was significantly higher than the rest of the treatments while minimum zinc availability recorded in T1 (control). The application of 3t ha-1 vermicompost with recommended NPK in rice crop significantly increased the content of DTPA- extractable Cu, Fe and Mn in soil and also similar to the T11 where micronutrient mixture with recommended NPK was used during both the years. There is no appraisal change was found in soil pH, EC, during both the years.