Influence of organic nutrient source on soil properties and plant characteristic in mustard (Brassica rapa L.)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at Research Farm of the Department of Agriculture, Maharishi Markandeshwar University, Sadopur Ambala (Haryana) during rabi season of 2020-21. The trial was laid out in randomized block design (RBD) comprising eight treatments viz., T : Control, T : 100% of recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) through 1 2 vermicompost (VC), T : 75% of RDN through VC + 25% of farmyard manure (FYM), 3 T : 50% of RDN through VC + 50% of FYM, T : 100% of RDN through Jeevamrit, T : 4 5 6 75% of RDN through Jeevamrit + 25% of Panchgavya, T : 50% of RDN through 7 Jeevamrit + 50% Panchgavya and T : 100% of RDN through Panchgavya with three 8 replications. The objective of the study was to enhance the growth and yield by using liquid manures with combination of solid organics and to improve the physicochemical properties, nutrient content and uptake of mustard. The outcomes showed that growth and yield parameters were enhanced by the application of solid organic manures, Jeevamrit and Panchgavya when compared with control. The maximum plant height at 30, 60, 90, 120 days after sowing (DAS) and at harvest (33.3, 71.8, 131.1, 180.1 and 205.2 cm, respectively), number of primary and secondary branches per plant (9.2 and 19.0, respectively), dry matter accumulation (98.1 g plant-1), number of siliquae per plant (366.9), number of seeds per siliqua (13.7), test weight (6.0 g), seed yield (18.9 q ha-1), straw yield (30.4 q ha-1) and biological yield (49.3 q ha-1) was obtained under the treatment T (100% RDN through Panchgavya). Additionally, there 8 was an increase in the available N, P, K and organic carbon (OC) by the use of 100% RDN through panchgavya where as particle density and bulk density was highest in T8 treatments. Marginal increase in particle density and porosity and gradual decrease in the pH and bulk density in all organic manure practices except for control. Apart from this, improvement in NPK uptake (46.84, 11.86 and 18.72 kg ha-1, respectively) and NPK content (2.48, 0.63 and 0.99%, respectively) in mustard was also observed with the application of 100% RDN through panchgavya. Thus, application of solid and liquid organic manures could be used to sustain mustard productivity and maintain soil health.