Influence of Boron on Yield of Okra and Soil Microbial Activities in Inceptisols

Abstract

Abstract: The study entitled “Influence of boron on yield of Okra and soil microbial activities inInceptisols” was carried out at E Block of Central Farm, Regional Research & Technology Transfer Station (RRTTS), OUAT, Bhubaneswar during January to April, 2021 with the objectives of studying the effect of foliar spray of boron on yield of Okra and the soil microbial activities. The experiment was laid out in RBD with ten treatments replicated thrice. The treatments included one on B control (only soil test dose NPK), NPK + 1.0 KgB/ha soil application and eight treatments of foliar application of B @ 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and1.0% borax sprayed once or twice at 25 and/or 50 DAS. Plant and soil samples were collected one week after 1st and 2nd spraying for analysis of biometric and microbiological parameters including enzyme activities. The bacterial, fungal and actinomycetes population of soil in different treatments measured one week after 1stand 2 ndfoliar spray of Brecordeda significant increase in number of count in all treatments including the one applied with B as basal in soil over that in control. A reduction in population of fungus (2-16%) and actinomycetes (9-43%) measure done week after 2nd spray was observed over that recorded after 1st spray. In contrast, an increase in population of bacteria (0-28%) measured one week after 2nd spray was observed over that recorded after 1st spray. The urease activity of soil due to different boron treatments varied significantly among the treatments from 25.2 to 38.6 µg NH4+N݃ −1 soil/2h. The dehydrogenase activity of soil due to different boron treatments varied significantly among different treatments from 0.7 to 46.6 µg TPF݃ −1 soil /24h. The urease and dehydro genase activities of soil measured after 2nd foliar spray of B increased with application of B to okra irrespective of dose and application methods.