Residual Soil Fertility and Yield of Okra as Affected by Bio-inoculants and Bio-organic Nutrient Sources

Abstract

Over the course of two kharif seasons in 2020 and 2021, a study was conducted to explore the impact of bi-inoculants (Pseudomonas fluorescens and Pseudomonas lactis) and bio-organic nutrient sources (farmyard manure, vermicompost, Beejamrit and Jeevamrit) over the fruit yield and residual soil fertility of okra in the Entisols of Himachal Pradesh. The study was structured around seventeen treatments with different combinations of bio-inoculants, bio-formulations and nutrient sources. The investigation revealed that minimum soil pH (6.96), maximum soil organic carbon (0.76 %), available nitrogen (259.36 kg/ha) and available phosphorus (26.98 kg/ha) were obtained with treatment T16 [FYM (50 q/ha) + Vermicompost (25 q/ha) + Jeevamrit + Pseudomonas fluorescens]. The maximum soil electrical conductivity (0.208 dSm-1) and available potassium (174.65 kg/ha) was obtained in treatment T17 [Recommended Dose of Fertilizer (78N:50P:54K kg/ha)]. The highest gross income (₹2,58,760 /ha), net income (₹1,60,620 /ha) were observed in treatment T16 [FYM (50 q/ha) + Vermicompost (25q/ha) + Jeevamrit + Pseudomonas fluorescens] and the highest benefit: cost ratio (1.69) was observed in treatment T10 [Jeevamrit + Pseudomonas fluorescens]. Therefore, it is evident that using bio-organic nutrients such as farmyard manure, vermicompost, and Jeevamrit, in conjunction with the bacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens, is advantageous for enhancing the residual fertility of the soil and achieving sustainable cultivation of okra, while also allowing for a complete savings of 100% on fertilizers.