Impact of INM and intercrop on soil properties under Teak (Tectona grandis L. f.) based agroforestry system

Abstract

The present investigation entitled “Impact of integrated nitrogen management and intercrop on soil properties under Teak (Tectona grandis L. f.) based agroforestry system” was carried out during summer season of the year 2019 and 2020. Okra var. GAO-5 grown as an intercrop at College Farm, N. M. College of Agriculture, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari, Gujarat, India. The trial was framed with twelve different treatments comprised of combinations of vermicompost, neem cake and chemical fertilizers in various proportions i.e. 25 per cent, 50 per cent, 75 per cent and 100 per cent of recommend does of nitrogen in the form of organic and inorganic fertilizers under teak plantation and open condition in Randomized Block Design (RBD) consisting of three replications. Minimum soil pH (7.46), EC (0.652) and maximum available nitrogen (333.05 kg ha-1) and SOC (0.860%) content in soil were noted in T8: 100% RDN through Vermicompost under teak based agroforestry system. While, available phosphorus content (92.90 kg ha-1) in soil at harvest of okra crop was recorded maximum in T9: 100% RDN through Neem cake under teak based agroforestry systems. At the time of okra harvest available potassium content in soil was found maximum (734.04 kg ha-1) in T12: 75% RDN from Neem coated urea + 25% RDN through Vermicompost in open condition. Whereas, maximum soil pH (7.76), EC (0.921) and lowest available nitrogen (265.22 kg ha-1), phosphorus (69.46 kg ha-1), SOC (0.477%) was noted in T11: 100% RDF through chemical fertilizer in open condition. Moreover, lowest available potassium in soil (537.30 kg ha-1) was registered in T10: sole tree crop. From the study it can be concluded that majority of the soil chemical properties are improved under teak based agroforestry system as compared to open filed condition.