Abstract
Soil microbial population, dehydrogenase activity and chemical properties of soil under different doses of farmyard manure (FYM), leaf compost and vericopmpost were examined at the research farm of the Indian Agriculture Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi, India during 2008-09 and 2009-10. Results indicated the higher value of microbial population, dehydrogenase activity, organic carbon, available nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and lower bulk density were observed in farmyard manure applied equivalent to 120 kg N ha–1 followed by vermicompost equivalent to 120 kg N ha–1. Grain yield of popcorn was significantly higher in the treatments of recommended dose of fertilizers and vermicompost equivalent to 120 kg N ha–1. Key words: Dehydrogenase activity, farmyard manure (FYM), leaf compost, microbial population, vermicompost.
Highlights
Popcorn (Zea mays L. var. everta.) is the most important crop under irrigated conditions of north India
Dehydrogenase activity and chemical properties of soil under different doses of farmyard manure (FYM), leaf compost and vericopmpost were examined at the research farm of the Indian Agriculture Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi, India during 2008-09 and 2009-10
Results indicated the higher value of microbial population, dehydrogenase activity, organic carbon, available nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and lower bulk density were observed in farmyard manure applied equivalent to 120 kg N ha–1 followed by vermicompost equivalent to 120 kg N ha–1
Summary
Popcorn (Zea mays L. var. everta.) is the most important crop under irrigated conditions of north India. Everta.) is the most important crop under irrigated conditions of north India. Due to its importance as food, feed and specialty corn, it is a versatile cereal crop for both domestic consumption and for export. Popcorn requires huge amounts of nutrients for high productivity. The continued application of chemical fertilizer leads to deterioration of soil health with reduced organic carbon and increased multi-nutrients deficiencies (Swarup, 2002). Maintenance of soil quality is of utmost importance for enhancing productivity which leads to food and nutritional security. High aboveground biomass yield is accompanied by an active root system, which releases an array of organic compounds into the rhizosphere (Fließbach et al, 2007). For maintaining good soil health, nutrient schedules should be correctly followed, including organic manures viz., farmyard
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