Efficacy of Hydrogels under Sensor Based Irrigation on Soil Nutrient Status of Tree Mulberry

Abstract

A field experiment was carried out to study the efficacy of hydrogels under sensor-based irrigation on soil nutrient status of tree mulberry during 2022-23. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with nine treatment combinations and three replications, observations were recorded at 30th, 45thand 60th Days after Pruning (DAP) and pooled data of five crops were analyzed. The hydrogels were applied during beginning of first crop. Main plot included two different types of hydrogels viz., Pusa hydrogel (T1- Pusa hydrogel @ 1 kg/ac, T2- Pusa hydrogel @ 2 kg/ac, T3- Pusa hydrogel @ 3 kg/ac and T4- Pusa hydrogel @ 4 kg/ac) and Zeba hydrogel (T5- Zeba hydrogel @ 3 kg/ac, T6- Zeba hydrogel @ 4 kg/ac, T7- Zeba hydrogel @ 5 kg/ac, and T8- Zeba hydrogel @ 6 kg/ac) and T9-control without any hydrogel. Among hydrogels, Zeba hydrogel @ 5 & 6 kg/ac (T7 and T8) exhibited ideal pH (6.73), EC (0.27 d Sm-1) and OC (0.43%). The major nutrients viz Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium (282.03, 40.78 and 231.35 kg/ha) and secondary nutrients viz Calcium, Magnesium and Sulphur (2.87 c. mol/kg, 2.32 c. mol/kg and 7.68 mg/kg) has recorded significantly on the application of Zeba hydrogel @ 6 kg/ac. The micronutrient content was significantly higher in soil collected from T8 which received Zeba hydrogel @ 6 kg/ac with Zn, Fe, Cu and Mn of 2.50, 20.97, 3.80 and 23.78 mg/kg respectively,