Effect of Integrated Use of Manures and Fertilizers on Physico-chemical Properties of Soil and Yield of Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during 2014-15 and 2015-16 in a thirty years old coconut garden of cultivar Pratap to study the effect of Integrated Use of Manures and Fertilizers on Physico-chemical Properties of Soil and Yield of Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.). Accordingly, treatments were applied to coconut orchard in three splits (viz., Stage I- June, Stage II- October and Stage III- February) in a year. Soil samples were collected periodically before fertilizers application and analysed for different physico-chemical properties (viz., pH, EC and organic carbon). The yield of each palm was recorded throughout the year under experimental plot. The application of RDN through FYM at 25 kg/palm/year + Neem Cake at 15 kg/palm/year + Vermicompost at 6 kg/palm/year (T10) recorded significant increase in pH, EC and organic carbon content in soil of coconut orchard. Also the physico-chemical properties of soil found to be improved during second year over the first year of experimentation. The application of RDF + Azadirachtin + Micronutrients through briquettes (T5) received highest yield of coconut. Therefore, it is concluded that application of RDF along with Azadirachtin and Micronutrients through Konkan Annapurna Briquettes in three splits (i.e. June, October and February) is beneficial for increasing the yield of coconut.