Response of ramie (Boehmeria nivea) cultivars to nutrient management and planting methods

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at Pundibari, Cooch Behar in West Bengal during 2003-05 to study the re- sponse of ramie [Boehmeria nivea (L.) Gaud.] cultivars ('R 141 1 ' and ' R 67-34') to different planting methods (ridge and flat-bed methods) and nutrient management [I00 and 150% NPK supplied through chemical fertilizer, 50% N with 100% PK from chemical fertilizer + 50% N through ramie waste (1,339 kglha), and 50% N with 100% PK from chemical fertilizer + 50% N through vermicompost (828 kglha)]. Based on four cuttings, ramie cultivar 'R 141 1' recorded higher fibre yield and net income under ridge-bed planting when supplied with 150% NPK through chemical fertilizer, which was on a par with that of 50% N with 100% PK from chemical fertilizer + 50% N through ramie waste. Integrated use of chemical fertilizer and ramie waste improved the pH and NPK status of the soil. 'R 141 1' proved suitable with either sole application of 150% NPK of chemical fertilizer or combined use of chemical fertilizer and ramie waste under ridge-bed planting method to get optimum yield.