Composted Coir Pith Research Articles

Systems approach in coconut for higher productivity and profitability in coastal ecosystem of Maharashtra

The field experiment conducted on systems approach in coconut for higher productivity and profitability in coastal ecosystem at ICAR-AICRP on Palms, Regional coconut Research Station, Bhatye, Ratnagiri, (DBSKKV, Dapoli), Maharastra during the year 2013-14 to 2017-18, showed that the application of organic manures in combination with inorganic fertilizer either in 75 per cent of recommended NPK +25 per cent of N through organic recycling with vermi-compost or 50 per cent of RDF+50 per cent of N through organic recycling with vermi-compost +vermiwash application +bio-fertilizer application +in situ green manuring resulted in higher yield of 141.28 nuts palm-1 year-1 and 126.33 nuts palm-1 year-1, respectively. Soil organic carbon was higher, where 75 per cent of recommended NPK +25 per cent of N through organic recycling with vermi-compost (T1) was added. Microbial population of fungi were higher where 100 per cent of N through organic recycling with vermi-compost +vermiwash application +bio-fertilizer application +in situ green manuring and green leaf manuring +composted coir pith, husk incorporation and mulching with coconut leaves (T3) was added, whereas the bacteria and actinomycetes present in top soil were higher in the former treatment where 50 per cent RDF + 50 per cent N through organic reyching with vermicompost + vermiwash + bio-fertilizer + in situ, respectively was given. Earthworm population was highest in the treatment T3 followed by the treatment T1 and T2. Highest (3.03) benefit:cost ratio was recorded in T1 followed by T2 (2.81) as against the control having monocrop of coconut with recommended NPK and organic manure.

Effect of organic nutrition on quality and shelf life of baby corn (Zea mays L.)

An investigation was conducted at College of Agriculture, Vellayani to during kharif season of 2019 to study the effect of organic nutrition practices on growth, yield, quality and shelf life of baby corn. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with 10 treatments replicated thrice during kharif (May to September) in 2019. Organic manure viz., vermicompost, coirpith compost and poultry manure along with insitu green manuring and biofertilizer (PGPR mix I) were applied to the field. In the control treatment inorganic fertilizers were applied @135:65:45 kg NPK ha-1. Poultry manure application along with in situ green manuring or biofertilizer application improved the quality and shelf life of baby corn. Poultry manure application along with PGPR mix I or in situ green manuring was effective for producing higher nutrient content in baby corn. Application of poultry manure or vermicompost with PGPR was found to improve the sensory parameters, consumer preference and shelf life of baby corn.

Community-level management of bio-resources for augmenting income from coconut-based farming systems in Kerala state, India

On-farm management of farm residues for mass multiplication of beneficial microbes plays an important role in organic farming as well as integrated nutrient management by improving soil health. Community-level production of organic inputs from crop residues can be a potential source of income for farmers’ groups also. A large scale operational research on community-based bio-resource management, along with soil test based nutrient management, was undertaken by ICAR-CPCRI with financial support from NABARD in the major organic tract of Kerala in the coastal belt - Kanjikuzhy block during 2014-2016. The bio-resource management components under technology integration included farm-level production of organics from crop residues, enrichment using bio-agents, utilization of enriched organics for soil and plant health management and production of bio-primed planting materials. For enhancing the efficiency of Trichoderma-enriched organic manure, two ideal media viz., coir pith compost + neem cake (4:1) and coir pith compost + neem cake + poultry manure + cow dung (2:1:1:1) were standardized. Coconut seedlings produced through bio-priming with Trichoderma sp. showed early germination (90%), higher recovery percentage (79.5%), higher collar girth (17 cm), more number of fronds (9) and height (160 cm). Farm-based participatory action management integrating cost-effective bio-resource management interventions in coconut-based farming systems resulted in improvements in income from coconut by 26 per cent and intercrops by 142.9 per cent, contributing to an increase in the average farm income by 149.8 per cent. The average knowledge index of the respondents related to bio-resource management increased by 115.8 per cent and that of integrated nutrient management by 74.5 per cent.

Soil persistence and environmental risk assessment of chlorpyrifos under different organic manuring in the tropical sugarcane ecosystem

ABSTRACT Chlorpyrifos has label claim against sugarcane termites and is applied as a soil drench at planting. The organic manures viz., composted coir pith, farmyard manure, press mud and sugarcane trash are also applied at the time of planting mainly to conserve the soil moisture in the tropical environment. The organic manures may have some impact on the persistence of chlorpyrifos in the soil. Hence, the persistence of chlorpyrifos in the manurial soils was studied by employing the single-step sample preparation method and GC-ECD. The initial deposits of chlorpyrifos were 0.325–0.383 µg/g across the treatments involved in the study. The residues were quantified up to 75 days after treatment (DAT) and were below 0.01 µg/g on 90th DAT. The soil half-lives of chlorpyrifos were in the range of 19.8–21.0 days in the manured soils as against 18.7 days in the control soil. Thus, the organic manures applied at planting did not play any significant role in influencing the persistence of chlorpyrifos in the sandy clay loam soil of tropical sugarcane ecosystem. Further, the chlorpyrifos residues were not detected in the sugarcane leaf and stalk, indicating that there was no significant uptake by the plant from the soil. The calculated risk quotient values indicated that the chlorpyrifos residues may pose an unacceptable risk to earthworms during the first week of its application and thereafter, there could be a moderate level of risk in the tropical sugarcane environment.

Productivity and carbon sequestration potential of coconut-based cropping system as influenced by integrated nutrient management practices

A field experiment was carried out at Regional Coconut Research Station, Bhatye (DBSKKV, Dapoli), Maharashtra (India) during 2013-2018 to study the productivity and carbon sequestration potential as influenced by integrated nutrient management (INM) practices in coconut based cropping system. INM practices viz., T1- 75 per cent of RDF+25 per cent of N through organic recycling with vermicompost, T2- 50 per cent of RDF+50 per cent of N through organic recycling with vermicompost + vermiwash application + bio-fertilizer application + in situ green manuring (cowpea), T3- fully organic: 100 per cent N through organic recycling with vermicompost + vermiwash application + bio-fertilizer application + in situ green manuring (cowpea) and green leaf manuring + composted coir pith, husk incorporation and mulching with coconut leaves were imposed in coconut based cropping system involving nutmeg, cinnamon, banana and pineapple. For comparison, T4- control: monocrop of coconut with recommended NPK and organic manure was maintained. Four treatments were laid out in a block of 0.45 ha area each. Among the different INM practices, treatment T1 sequestered the highest amount of above ground (coconut + nutmeg) carbon stock (31.1 t ha-1) followed by T2 (30.3 t ha-1) and T3 (27.3 t ha-1). In contrast, the treatment T4 - coconut monocrop alone had sequestered 25.6 t ha-1. The below-ground soil carbon stock in the rhizosphere of different crops was the highest in the nutrient management under T3 followed by T2 and T1, whereas, it was the lowest in coconut monocrop. The productivity of the system was higher in the intercropping garden. The coconut nut yield (5-year average) was higher yield under T1 (147.2 nuts palm-1 year-1), followed by T2 (138.4 nuts palm-1 year-1) and T3 (123.6 nuts palm-1 year-1), whereas, monocrop had recorded a significantly lower number of nuts (97.2 nuts palm-1 year-1).

Impact of organic manures on the persistence of imidacloprid in the sandy clay loam soil of tropical sugarcane crop ecosystem.

Impact of organic manures, viz., composted coir pith, press mud, sugarcane trash, and farmyard manure (FYM) on the persistence of imidacloprid in the sandy clay loam soil of tropical sugarcane crop ecosystem, was studied by employing rapid sample preparation method and reversed phase HPLC. The recoveries of the method employed to determine the residues of imidacloprid in the soil were in the range of 94.5 ± 7.02-97.3 ± 2.94% across the five levels of fortification ranged between 0.005 and 0.5 μg/g. Imidacloprid was observed to persist in the soil manured with FYM and composted coir pith for 30 days with the half-life of 7.62 and 7.0 days, respectively as against 21 days with the half-life of 6.66 days in the non-manurial soil. The comparatively longer persistence of imidacloprid in the FYM and composted coir pith-applied soils was attributed to reduced leaching from the plow layer due to the adsorption of insecticide molecules by the added organic manures.

Influence of Organic Manures and Micronutrients Fertilization on the Soil Properties and Yield of Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) in Coastal Saline Soil

The light texture coastal saline soils are well known for the deficiency of both macro and micronutrients especially zinc, boron, iron and manganese, etc. The zinc (Zn) and manganese (Mn) plays an important role in improving the growth, yield and quality of sesame. A field experiment was conducted to find out the influence of organics and micronutrients fertilization on the soil properties and yield of sesame in coastal saline soil. The experiment was carried out in a farmer’s field at Ponnanthittu coastal village, near Chidambaram Taluk, Cuddalore district, Tamil Nadu. The Physico- chemical properties and nutrient status of initial soil were: pH- 8.43, EC- 4.25 dS m-1, organic carbon- 2.30 g kg-1 and DTPA Zn – 0.70 mg kg-1 and Mn- 0.96 mg kg-1, respectively. The treatments included were T1 -Control (Recommended dose of NPK), T2 –125% NPK + Composted coirpith (CCP) @ 12.5 t ha-1, T3 -T2 + ZnSO4 @ 25 kg ha-1 soil application (SA), T4 -T2 + MnSO4 @ 5 kg ha-1 (SA), T5 -T2 + (ZnSO4 + MnSO4) SA, T6 -T2 + ZnSO4 @ 0.5 % foliar application (FA),T7 -T2 + MnSO4 (FA), T8 -T2 + (ZnSO4 + MnSO4 )FA, T9 -T2 + ZnSO4 (SA) + ZnSO4 (FA), T10-T2 + MnSO4 (SA) + MnSO4 (FA) and T11-T2 + (ZnSO4 + MnSO4 ) SA + (ZnSO4 + MnSO4 )FA. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications, using sesame variety TMV 7. The results of the study indicated that the combined application of 125 per cent NPK + composted coirpith (CCP) @ 12.5 t ha-1 + ZnSO4 @ 25 kg ha-1 + MnSO4 @ 5 kg ha-1 through soil application along with foliar application of ZnSO4 @ 0.5% + MnSO4 twice at 0.5 per cent significantly increased the soil nutrient availability, microbial population, enzyme activity and yield of sesame in coastal sandy soil. This treatment recorded the highest sesame seed yield of 815 kg ha-1 and stalk yield of 1805 kg ha-1 as compared 100% recommended NPK alone 421 and 944 kg ha-1 of seed and stalk yield, respectively.

Effect of nursery techniques on early growth attributes of minisett-cultivated cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz)

Investigations were done to find out the effect of nursery techniques on minisett-cultivated cassava at College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Thiruvanathapuram, Kerala during April to June 2017. The objective was to find out a viable nursery technique for cassava minisett cultivation. For this two types of minisett cuttings and three types of potting media were tried in the nursery. The three-node cuttings of cassava minisett resulted in significantly higher seedling sprouting, shoot length, shoot biomass, root length and root biomass. Among different potting media used in the experiment, coir pith compost and vermicompost in the ratio of 3: 1 and normal top soil and coir pith compost in the ratio of 1: 1 resulted in higher seedling sprouting compared to normal top soil as potting medium but former treatment performed better with respect to shoot length, shoot biomass, root length and root biomass of minisett seedlings. The interaction of three-node cuttings of cassava minisett and coir pith compost and vermicompost in the ratio of 3: 1 gave better results than other combinations. The results of the study indicated that raising three-noded minisett cassava cuttings in potting medium containing coir pith compost and vermicompost in the ratio of 3: 1 in the nursery performed better wrt shoot length, shoot biomass, root length and root biomass.

Conversion of Agricultural Residues into Protein Biomass by Milky Mushroom Fungus Calocybe indica var. Apk2 through Solid State Fermentation

Experiments were conducted to estimate the morphogenesis related enzymes, yield parameters and yield of milky mushroom fungus C. indica utilizing different growth substrates viz., paddy straw, sorghum stalks, sugarcane baggase, maize stalks, soybean hay, blackgram hay, ground nut halums, saw dust, paddy straw compost and coirpith compost. Palmorasa and vetiver grasses were also used along with all other substrates mentioned by enzyme production technology, Solid State Fermentation (SSF) for the fruiting body production and biodegradation of phyto constituents. Among the substrates tested, the higher level of endocellulase (2.40%) and exocellulase (1.01%) production was observed in paddy straw followed by sorghum stalks. Laccase (1.10%) and poly phenol oxidase (0.037%) activity showed increased level in blackgram hay followed by maize stalks and coir pith compost, respectively. Among the substrates used for yield estimation, the Paddy straw and maize stalks gave significantly higher yields (356.5 and 354.3 g per bed, respectively) followed by sorghum stalks and vetiver grass. The high level of protein biomass was calculated in Paddy straw (2.929g/500g of substrate) followed by maize stalks (2.911 g/500g of substrate).

Effect of different growing media on growth and development of rooted cuttings of Indian sarsaparilla (Hemidesmus indicus L.)

Indian sarsaparilla (Hemidesmus indicus L.) is an important medicinal plant widely used in Indian systems of medicine as an antipyretic, blood purifier and refrigerant. It is under the list of endangered species in India due to the indiscriminate collection and utilization. To bring the plant under commercial cultivation, standardization of growing medium for rooted cuttings in Indian sarsaparilla was done at Department of Medicinal and Aromatic Crops, Horticultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore. The rooted cuttings under mist chamber were transferred to PVC pipes measuring 5 feet length and 2 ½ inch diameter kept under open condition. The media like coir pith compost, vermicompost and red soil: sand: FYM (2: 1: 1) mixture and their combinations were used. Observations on root length, number of roots, fresh weight of the root, dry weight of the root, shoot length, number of laterals, number of leaves per plant, fresh weight of shoot and dry weight of shoot were recorded after 60 days of planting. Among the five treatments, growing medium M1 (coir pith compost) recorded longest root length (76.63 cm), more number of roots (67.25), maximum fresh weight of the roots (9.38 g), maximum dry weight of roots (1.73 g), highest shoot length (34.28 cm), more number of laterals (3.25), more number of leaves (42.25), maximum fresh weight of shoot (5.23 g) and maximum dry weight of shoots (1.25 g). Hence, from this study we can conclude that, use of coir pith compost medium provides good ancourage and high root yield to the Hemidesmus plants and thus can be utilized for commercial cultivation of the plants.

Effect of integrated nutrient management on growth and yield of thuduvalai (Solanum trilobatum L.)

A field experiment was conducted at the medicinal plant unit, Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar, Tamil Nadu, India during 2010-2011 to study the “effect of integrated nutrient management on growth and yield of thuduvalai (Solanum trilobatum L.)”. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with thirteen treatments and three replications. The treatment included graded levels of NPK viz., 100, 75 and 50% RDF + FYM at 25 t ha(-1), Azospirillum and phosphobacteria each at 2 kg ha(-1), vermicompost at 2.5 t ha(-1), composted coir pith at 5 t ha(-1), neem cake at 2.5 t ha(-1) and foliar spray of panchagavya at 3% on 30, 60 and 90 days after transplanting. The results of the study revealed that the integration of inorganic fertilizers in combination with organic manures and biofertilizers was found to be significant in improving the overall plant growth and yield. The highest plant height (166.42 cm), number of branches plant(-1) (35.97), number of leaves plant(-1) (615.65), leaf area (35.23 cm2), leaf yield (209.63 kg plant(-1)) and estimated leaf yield (10.35 t ha(-1)) were observed with application of 50% NPK + vermicompost 2.5 t ha(-1) + biofertilizers (Azospirillum and phosphobacteria each at 2 kg ha(-1)) and foliar application of panchagavya at 3% at 30, 60 and 90 DAT (T6). The yield contributing traits viz., number of flowers plant(-1), fruit set percentage, fruit diameter, single fruit weight and number of fruits plant(-1) were significantly influenced by the different treatments. The treatment T6 (50% NPK + vermicompost 2.5 t ha(-1) + biofertilizers (Azospirillum and phosphobacteria each at 2 kg ha(-1) and foliar application of panchagavya at 3% at 30, 60 and 90 DAT) recorded significantly higher number flowers plant(-1) (111.17), fruit setting percentage (74.51), fruit diameter (0.82 cm), single fruit weight (0.765), number of fruits (79.75), fruit yield plant-1 (63.93 g), fruit yield plot(-1) (413.75 g) and estimated fruit yield (132.31 kg ha(-1)) and the nutrient uptake was also observed to be higher by the same treatment T6.

Efficient Water Management in Sugarcane with Composted Coir Pith and Sugarcane Trash Under Tropical Indian Conditions

A field experiment on water management with composted coir pith and sugarcane trash under two irrigation levels (100 and 75% of recommended level of irrigation) with the aim of assessing performance of bud chip settling in 150 × 45 and 150 × 60 cm spacing was conducted in split-plot design at ICAR-Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India, during 2013–2014, 2014–2015 and 2015–2016. The soil of the experimental site was sandy clay in texture, taxonomically classified as typic haplustalf, low in organic carbon, medium in available N and available P and fairly high in K, slightly alkaline in reaction with normal electrical conductivity. The prevailing climatic condition during experimentations represented tropical Indian conditions, wherein mean temperature ranged in between 21.24 and 33.10 °C with a mean relative humidity of 54.58–85.5%. As against the normal rainfall of 674.2 mm, only 356, 537 and 679 mm of rainfall was received during 2013–2014, 2014–2015 and 2015–2016 crop seasons indicating the erratic behaviour of rainfall. The results revealed that application of 10 t/ha composted coir pith or 5 t/ha of sugarcane trash in furrow at the time of planting and scheduling irrigation in sugarcane at 75% of recommended level of irrigation saved 387, 344 and 255 mm irrigation water; in addition, it gave higher irrigation water use efficiency (0.82 t/ha/cm), net returns (99,039 Rs/ha) and benefit–cost ratio (1.79) over scheduling irrigation at 100% level. Further it was also observed that setts planting at 90 cm recorded 15.47 and 25% higher cane yield than bud chip settling planting at 150 × 45 and 150 × 60 cm, respectively. Amongst two soil moisture conservation measures, i.e. composted coir pith and trash, application tried in sugarcane conserved soil moisture efficiently and recorded higher soil moisture by 8.10 and 7.62% and cane yield 19.59 and 12.91%, respectively, over the control. Planting bud chip settling at 150 × 45 cm spacing was found superior over bud chip settling planting at 150 × 60 cm spacing. Hence for efficient water management in sugarcane under tropical Indian condition, use of composted coir pith @ 10 or 5 t/ha of chopped trash with 75% of recommended level of irrigation in bud chip settling (150 × 45 cm) planting is recommended.

Productivity and economic benefits of coconut based vegetable cropping systems under central dry zone of Karnataka

<p>Coconut based cropping systems with vegetables i.e., okra-fallow (2012-13) and tomato-fallow (2013-14), green manure-cucumber,<br />baby corn-gherkin and coconut monocropping as control with four integrated nutrient management (INM) practices viz., inorganic<br />fertilizer alone (100%), 5 ton farm yard mannure (FYM)+75% NPK+25% N by vermicompost (VC), 5 ton FYM+50% NPK+25%<br />N by vermicompost+25% N by composted coir pith (CCP)+ Indian Institute of Horticulture Research (IIHR) micronutrient spray<br />and 5 ton FYM+50% N by vermicompost+50% N by CCP+vermiwash spray+Azatobacter were evaluated at HRS, Arsikere,<br />Karnataka during the year 2012 to 2014 by adopting factorial RBD with five replications. All the vegetable crops gave the highest<br />yield under integration of organic and inorganic manure treatments, viz., 5 tonne FYM+74% NPK +25% N by VC and 5 ton<br />FYM+50% NPK+25% N by vermicompost+25% N by CCP+IIHR micronutrient spray, whereas the lowest vegetables yield was<br />noticed with 5 ton FYM+50% N by vermicompost+50% N by CCP + vermiwash spray + Azatobacter. Cropping sequence, baby<br />corn-gherkin resulted in the highest coconut equivalent yield of intercrops and cropping system (33,548 nuts ha-1 and 44,414 nuts<br />ha-1, respectively). Pooled economic analysis indicated that, okra-fallow and tomato-fallow sequence resulted in significantly<br />higher net income (` 4,03,551 ha-1) compared to other sequences and it was on par with baby corn-gherkin sequence<br />(` 3,60,365 ha-1).</p>

Effect of integrated nutrient management practices on growth and yield of vegetable crops grown as intercrops in coconut (Cocos nucifera) garden

Investigation was carried out at Horticulture Research and Extension Station, Arasikere, Karnataka, during kharif and summer seasons of 2012-14 to study the performance of different cropping sequences with vegetable crops and effect of integrated nutrient management practices on growth, and yield of vegetable crops under coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) based cropping system (CBCS). The experiment consisting of three cropping sequences of vegetable crops and four integrated nutrient management (INM) practices was carried out in FRBD with 5 replications. The study revealed that growth and yield of all the vegetable crops grown under coconut were significantly influenced by INM practices. Among the INM practices, pooled analysis of yield data indicated that, S3 treatment (5 tonnes FYM+ 50% NPK + 25% N by vermicompost + 25 % N by composted coir pith (CCP)+ IIHR micronutrient spray) recorded significantly higher yield in okra (9.85 tonnes/ha), baby corn (4.55 tonnes/ha), gherkin (74.87 tonnes/ha) and cucumber (6.51 tonnes/ha) when grown as intercrop in coconut plantation.

Efficacy of Lignophenolic Composts for the Management of Bacterial Wilt of Tomato

Bacterial wilt is one of the most dreaded diseases in tomato growing areas all over the world. Though chemical control measures and resistance breeding offers certain degree of protection against wilt pathogen, both have their own limitations such as high cost, environmental impact, non target effect and development of resistance. Hence, biologically safe methods such as use of composts as soil amendments for wilt management was investigated in the present study which revealed the possibility of the use of ligno-phenolic composts in disease management. Among the five composts tested, application of ayurvedic compost at 45 days after planting was found to be the most effective with lowest wilt incidence of 6.94 per cent against 36.10 per cent in control, with 80.77 per cent disease reduction. At 60 DAP, same trend was noticed with minimum disease incidence in ayurvedic compost (13.88 %) which was on par with full basal application of leaf litter compost (15.27 %), and coir pith compost (16.66 %) with 86.79 to 60.02 per cent reduction of wilt incidence. In case of yield, among the different composts, split and basal application of ayurvedic compost recorded highest yield of 8.9 kg/6.48 m<sup>2</sup>.

Efficacy of Lignophenolic Composts for the Management of Bacterial Wilt of Tomato

Bacterial wilt is one of the most dreaded diseases in tomato growing areas all over the world. Though chemical control measures and resistance breeding offers certain degree of protection against wilt pathogen, both have their own limitations such as high cost, environmental impact, non target effect and development of resistance. Hence, biologically safe methods such as use of composts as soil amendments for wilt management was investigated in the present study which revealed the possibility of the use of ligno-phenolic composts in disease management. Among the five composts tested, application of ayurvedic compost at 45 days after planting was found to be the most effective with lowest wilt incidence of 6.94 per cent against 36.10 per cent in control, with 80.77 per cent disease reduction. At 60 DAP, same trend was noticed with minimum disease incidence in ayurvedic compost (13.88 %) which was on par with full basal application of leaf litter compost (15.27 %), and coir pith compost (16.66 %) with 86.79 to 60.02 per cent reduction of wilt incidence. In case of yield, among the different composts, split and basal application of ayurvedic compost recorded highest yield of 8.9 kg/6.48 m 2 .

Organic Cultivation of Medicinal Plants: Influence of Composted Coir Pith on the Growth and Yield of Coleus forskohlii (willd.) Briq

ABSTRACTColeus forskohlii (willd.) Briq. is a native plant of India. The therapeutic properties of forskolin, the main diterpene constituent of this plant, contributed to the emergence of C. forskohlii as an important taxon in modern medicine. In the present study, composted coir pith (CCP) was used as an organic fertilizer and its effect on the growth, the primary metabolite, and secondary metabolite (forskolin) of C. forskohlii were studied. The CCP was amended to the soil in the plots at the rate of 5 t h−1 (T1), 10 t h−1 (T2), and 15 t h−1 (T3). The control plots were left unamended. It was found that CCP increased the growth and development of C. forskohlii in fields amended with 15 t h−1 (T3). The activity of the three prime soil enzymes, namely, urease, phosphatase, and dehydrogenase in the rhizosphere soil of C. forskohlii also increased with an increase in the quantum of CCP amended to the soil.

Comparitive analysis of performance of bio-organic composite manures on growth, productivity and economics of amaranthus

An experiment was conducted during 2009-2011 at College of Agriculture, Vellayani to evaluate growth, productivity and economics of amaranthus as influenced by the performance of bio-organic composite manure along with microbial consortium. Organic sources used for the preparation of bio organic composite manures were coir pith compost, poultry manure, neem cake, groundnut cake, ash, rock dust and microbial consortium. Composite organic manures analyzing at least 3% N and N: K ratio of 1:0.5 was selected for further study. Five mixtures (OM3, OM5, OM9, OM11, 0M13) satisfying the selection criteria were identified for the investigation. The results of growth characters revealed that T1 (coir pith compost − 50g, ground nut cake − 35g and ash − 15g) recorded the highest number of leaves per plant and highest dry matter production (25.6 plant-1 and 1481.92 kg ha-1 respectively) and highest leaf:stem ratio of 2.47 was registered in T5 (poultry manure- 50g, ground nut cake − 30g, rock dust- 19g and microbial consortium − 1g). Among the treatments maximum yield was obtained for the treatment T5 and it was on par with T1 and T2 (poultry manure- 50g, ground nut cake − 30g, rock dust- 20g). The study on economics shows that T5 registering net returns of Rs 130800/-per ha was the most economical treatment with B:C ratio 2.2.

Effect of biochar amendment on soil physical, chemical and biological properties and groundnut yield in rainfed Alfisol of semi-arid tropics

ABSTRACTThe aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of biochar and organic soil amendments on soil physicochemical and microbial load, carbon sequestration potential, nutrient uptake and yield of groundnut in acidic red soil under rainfed condition. Biochar was prepared from red gram, cotton, maize stalk and mesquite wood using pilot scale slow pyrolysis biochar unit. The above sources of biochar at the rate of 2.5 and 5 t ha−1 and enriched farmyard manure 0.75 t ha−1, composted coir pith 10 t ha−1 and arbuscular mycorrhizae 100 kg ha−1 were applied as basal with required nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium fertilizer. Biochar amendment at the rate of 5 t ha−1 reduced the bulk density from 1.41 to 1.36 g cm−3 and increased the soil moisture 2.5%. With respect to soil chemical changes, it raised soil pH from 5.7 to 6.3; increased the cation exchange capacity 1.4 cmol+ kg−1 and enhanced the carbon buildup 4.4 t ha−1. The significant differences in bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes population were observed between biochar and control. The nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium were better utilized under biochar and composted coir pith, which was 21, 5 and 20 kg ha−1 higher than control. The experimental results suggested that application of biochar to acidic red soil favoured good soil physical, chemical and biological environment, and these positive changes influenced growth and yield attributes and enhanced pod yield 29% over control.

Germination Pattern and Root Trainer Performance of Mimusops elengi L.

In order to study the germination pattern and root trainer technology for Mimusops elengi L.(the bullet wood tree), its seeds were procured from two places of central Kerala and their germination studies were conducted in six different sowing media using fresh, pretreated and seeds stored up to three months. Germination value (GV) for all the field trials was calculated that showed highest for fresh seeds without pretreatments sown in polythene bags with coir pith compost (PBCP) and root trainers with coir pith(RTCP). Maximum GV for pretreated seeds were recorded in control and in gibberellic acid (100ppm) treated seeds sown in PBCP and RTCP. Analysis of variance shows significance at 1% level between medium, between pretreatments and between years of study. Transplantation shock, bulkiness, and frequent change of polythene bags cause additional labor by conventional method but root trainers do not requires change of medium, least possibility of transplanta-tion shock, advantage of air pruning, prevention of root coiling due to antispiral design and requirement of small area for mass production of seedlings.