CU MU LA TIVE EF FECT OF OR GANIC MA NURES AND IN OR GANIC FER TIL IZ ERS ON
YIELD AND SOIL HEALTH OF LIT TLE MIL LET (
Panicum sumatrense
)
Y. Sandhya Rani, T.S.S.K Patro, B. Neeraja and S. Jyothsna
A.N.G.R Ag ri cul tural Uni ver sity, Ag ri cul tural Re search Sta tion, Vizianagaram–535 001 (A.P.) E-mail : [email protected]
ABSTRACT
Intensive cropping systems with fertilizer responsive crops that rely on high input of inorganic fertilizers often lead to non sustainability in production and also pose a serious threat on soil health. However considering the physiological potential of varieties, entire dependence on organic sources of nutrients may not be adequate to attain the highest productivity. A field experiment was conducted in Little Millet during Kharif 2014 at Agricultural Research Station, Vizianagaram laid out in split plot design to evaluate the effect of Integrated use of three types of organic manures in combination with two levels of inorganic fertilizers (NPK) with two varieties (Pedda sama and OLM 203) as main plots and 8 combinations of organic and inorganic fertilizers as sub plots. The grain and straw yields in little millet of both the varieties was significantly influenced by different fertilizer levels. The experimental results indicated that highest grain and straw yields were recorded in the treatment 100 % RDF + Neem cake @ 1 t /ha. However it was on par with 75% RDF + Neem cake @ 1 t/ha + Azospirillum @ 5kg/ha + PSB @5 kg/ha, 100 % RDF + Vermicompost@ 2 t/ha and 75% RDF + Vermicompost @ 2 t/ha + Azospirillum @ 5 kg/ha + PSB @5 kg/ha. While, maximum yields were observed with the OLM 203 variety of little millet. Moreover the available N and K2O nutrients in soil were also increased with use of
organic fertilizers integrated with inorganic nutrients while the available P2O5 did not show any significant change.
Key words : Lit tle mil let, organic, inorganic, biofertilizers, grain yield and straw yield.
Minor millets are one of the oldest foods known to humans and possibly the first cereal grains to be used for domestic purpose. Millets are small seeded grasses that are hardy and grow well in dry zones as rain-fed crops, under marginal conditions of soil fertility and moisture. Minor millets are claimed to be the future foods for better health and nutritional security. Further millets are highly nutritious, non glutinous and non acid forming foods. Hence they are considered to be soothing least allergic and most digestive grains available. Small millets comprising finger millet, foxtail millet, barnyard millet, little millet, proso millet and kodo millet. Among all the small millets little millet commonly called as Sama is a reliable catch crop in view of its earliness and resistance to adverse agroclimatic conditions of high drought as well as waterlogging. Further millets are far ahead of rice and wheat in terms of their mineral, fibre, calcium and iron content. In order to increase the crop productivity, nutrient management may be achieved by the integration of organic sources, biofertilizers and micronutrients.
Now a day, use of chemical fertilizer is increasing to boost up the crop production. Simultaneously, use of only inorganic fertilizers is injurious to the soil health and soil productivity and also increases the cost of cultivation. The long term use of inorganic fertilizers without organic supplements damages the soil physical, chemical and biological properties and causes environmental pollution (1). Organic manures act not only be as a source of nutrients and organic matter but also increase the bio-diversity and activity of the microbial population in soil.
Further integrated nutrient management influences the structure, nutrients turn over and many related physical, chemical and biological parameters of the soil. Integration of inorganic, organic and bio-fertilizers play a vital role for enhancing crop productivity and sustaining soil fertility, which proves a great promise to the farmers.
Increased levels of production can be achieved by increased use of inorganic fertilizers, but may lead to deterioration in soil quality besides pollution problems (2) maintaining and improving soil quality is thus crucial if agricultural productivity and environmental quality are to be sustained for future generations (3). Hence the present experiment was undertaken to study the effect of organic manures and biofertilizers in combination with inorganic fertilizers on growth and yield of two varieties of little millet.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The field experiment was conducted at Agricultural Research Station, Vizianagaram during Kharif 2014. The soil was sandy loam in texture, low in organic carbon, available Nitrogen, high in available phosphorus and medium in available potassium. The experiment was laid down in split plot design with two main plots and eight sub plots replicated thrice.Two locally popular varieties of little millet (Pedda sama and OLM 203) were taken as main plots with eight subplots consisting of 2 levels of fertilizers (100% RDF and 75% RDF) in combination with 3 types of organic manures FYM @5t/ha Vermicompost @2t/ha and neem cake @ 1 t/ha and two types of Biofertilizers
(Azospirillum and PSB). Uniform cultural practices were carried out in all the experimental plots. Uniform plot size of 3X3 m were taken and healthy seeds of both the varieties were sown with a spacing of 30X10cm in all the plots.
Required population was maintained by thinning and gap filling whenever required.
Different treatments taken are :
T1 : 0% RDF (control) Table-1 : Effect of Integrated nutrient management on growth parameters of Little Millet.
Plant height
(cm)
Productive Tillers/
plant
Leaf Length
(cm)
Leaf width
(cm) Main plots (Varieties) (V)
Pedda sama 125.00 6.04 23.78 1.11
OLM 203 117.53 6.41 25.83 1.08
SEm 0.56 0.16 0.76 0.04
CD (0.05) 3.43 NS NS NS
Sub plots (Fertilizer levels) (T)
T1 : 0% RDF (Control) 105.20 2.77 21.55 0.97
T2 : 100% RDF + FYM @5 t/ha 122.40 6.78 24.25 1.07
T3 : 75% RDF + FYM @ 5 t/ha + Azospirillum @5 kg/ha + PSB@5 kg/ha 120.05 6.63 23.93 1.05
T4 : 100% RDF + Vermicompost @ 2t/ha 125.10 7.15 25.57 1.12
T5 : 75% RDF + Vermicompost @ 2 t/ha + Azospirillum 5 kg/ha + PSB@5 kg/ha 124.32 7.07 25.33 1.10
T6 : 100% RDF+Neem cake @ 1 t/ha 129.77 7.20 28.16 1.23
T7 : 75% RDF+Neem cake @ 1 t/ha + Azospirillum @5 kg/ha + PSB@5 kg/ha 126.98 7.18 26.38 1.21
T8 : 100% RDF 116.32 5.02 23.27 1.02
4SEm 1.68 0.23 0.58 0.05
CD (0.05) 4.86 0.67 1.68 0.15
Interaction CD (0.05) NS NS NS NS
CV% 5.39 9.12 5.72 11.74
Table-2 : Effect of Integrated nutrient management on yield and Yield attributing parameters of Little Millet
Inflores ence Length
(cm)
Spikelets /plant
Grain Yield (q/ha)
Straw Yield (q/ha)
B : C
Main plots (Varieties) (V)
Pedda sama 27.23 18.40 7.60 68.1 1.25
OLM 203 27.29 19.57 8.51 76.2 1.40
SEm 0.45 1.35 0.08 0.71
-CD (0.05) NS NS 0.46 4.37
-Sub plots (Fertilizer levels) (T)
T1 : 0% RDF (Control) 20.80 15.03 3.97 37.74 1.22
T2 : 100% RDF + FYM @5 t/ha 27.17 17.97 8.61 71.75 1.48
T3 : 75% RDF + FYM @ 5 t/ha + Azospirillum @5 kg/ha + PSB@5 kg/ha 26.57 17.68 8.43 69.94 1.46
T4 : 100% RDF+ Vermicompost @ 2 t/ha 28.67 20.57 8.89 81.74 1.03
T5 : 75% RDF + Vermicompost @ 2 t/ha + Azospirillum 5 kg/ha + PSB@5kg/ha 28.68 20.40 8.87 80.52 1.03
T6 : 100% RDF + Neem cake @ 1 t/ha 30.15 21.58 8.94 82.89 1.21
T7 : 75% RDF + Neem cake @ 1 t/ha + Azospirillum @5 kg/ha + PSB@5kg/ha 29.85 20.87 8.91 81.56 1.21
T8 : 100% RDF 26.17 17.78 7.85 66.51 2.00
SEm 0.74 1.19 0.27 1.38
-CD (0.05) 2.16 3.44 0.77 3.99
-Interaction NS NS NS NS
-T2 : 100% RDF + FYM @ 5 t/ha
T3 : 75% RDF + FYM @ 5 t/ha + Azospirillum @ 5 kg/
ha + PSB @ 5 kg/ha
T4 : 100% RDF + Vermicompost @ 2 t/ha
T5 : 75% RDF + Vermicompost @ 2 t/ha +
Azospirillum 5 kg/ha + PSB @ 5 kg/ha
T6 : 100% RDF + Neem cake @ 1 t/ha
T7 : 75% RDF + Neem cake @ 1 t/ha + Azospirillum
@ 5 kg/ha + PSB @ 5kg/ha
T8 : 100% RDF (20-20-20 NPK kg/ha)
Both the levels of inorganic fertilizers were applied in the form of urea, DAP and MOP combined with organic manures (FYM,Vermicompost and Neem cake) and biofertilizers (Azospirillum @ 5 kg/ha and PSB) were applied as basal dose. The crop was maintained under uniform conditions of weeding, irrigation and need based plant protection measures.
Growth parameters viz., plant height, No. of productive tillers, No. of leaves and both straw and grain yield were recorded at the time of harvest. The initial soil samples before sowing of the crops and final soil samples after harvest of the crop was analysed for pH, EC,
Table-3 : Cumulative Effect of Organic manures and Inorganic fertilizers on soil OC and Physicochemical Properties
O.C% pH E.C
Main plots (Varieties) (V)
Pedda sama 0.44 6.39 0.130
OLM 203 0.47 6.39 0.108
SEm 0.01 0.027 0.006
CD (0.05) NS NS NS
Sub plots (Fertilizer levels) (T)
T1 : 0% RDF (Control) 0.42 6.33 0.132
T2 : 100% RDF + FYM @5 t/ha 0.47 6.40 0.115
T3 : 75% RDF + FYM @ 5 t/ha + Azospirillum @ 5 kg/ha + PSB@5kg/ha 0.49 6.42 0.137
T4 : 100% RDF + Vermicompost @ 2t/ha 0.48 6.37 0.125
T5 : 75% RDF + Vermicompost @ 2t/ha + Azospirillum 5 kg/ha + PSB@5 kg/ha 0.47 6.5 0.135
T6 : 100% RDF + Neem cake @ 1 t/ha 0.46 6.3 0.103
T7 : 75% RDF + Neem cake @ 1 t/ha + Azospirillum @5 kg/ha + PSB@5 kg/ha 0.45 6.43 0.093
T8 : 100% RDF 0.43 6.43 0.112
SEm 0.014 0.055 0.016
CD (0.05) 0.04 NS NS
Interaction NS NS NS
CV% 7.72 3.45 16.8
Initial Values 0.34 6.9 0.15
Table-4 : Cumulative Effect of Organic manures and Inorganic fertilizers on soil available macronutrients of Little Millet
Available N (Kg/ha)
Available P2O5
(Kg/ha)
Available K2O
(Kg/ha) Main plots (Varieties) (V)
Pedda sama 200.72 66.92 245.39
OLM 203 204.39 77.08 262.72
SEm 1.97 2.18 1.37
CD (0.05) NS NS 8.43
Sub plots (Fertilizer levels) (T)
T1 : 0% RDF (CONTROL) 167.74 49.13 228.72
T2 : 100% RDF + FYM @5t/ha 201.55 69.67 256.38
T3 : 75% RDF + FYM @ 5t/ha + Azospirillum @5 kg/ha + PSB@5 kg/ha 195.88 71.10 258.95
T4 : 100% RDF + Vermicompost @ 2t/ha 210.33 80.73 263.18
T5 : 75% RDF + Vermicompost @ 2t/ha + Azospirillum 5 kg/ha + PSB@5 kg/ha 205.35 80.55 259.17
T6 : 100% RDF + Neem cake @ 1 t/ha 224.04 73.82 262.78
T7 : 75% RDF + Neem cake @ 1 t/ha + Azospirillum @5 kg/ha + PSB@5 kg/ha 219.23 74.72 260.92
T8 : 100% RDF 196.33 56.27 242.33
SEm 2.86 3.04 6.22
CD (0.05) 8.31 8.81 18.05
Interaction 14.58 NS NS
CV% 10.5 14.71 8.01
available N,P2O5, K2O and available micronutrients viz.,
Zn,Fe,Cu and Mn as per the procedures.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The plant height was significantly altered between both the varieties in which Peddasama (125cm) showed significantly more plant height than OLM 203(117.5cm). But however the plant height was not influenced with the application of different types of organic manures in conjunction with inorganic fertilizers (Table-1).
Considering the yield contributing characters No. of productive tillers, Inflorescence length and No. of spikes per plant were significantly influenced by the conjunctive use of both organic and inorganic fertilizers but no much significant difference was found between both the varieties (Table-1 and 2)
Significantly higher grain and straw yields were recorded with the treatment 100% RDF + Neem cake, which is on par with 75% RDF + Neem cake, 100% RDF + Vermicompost , 75% RDF+ Vermicompost, 100% RDF + FYM, 75% RDF + FYM compared to the treatment in which only inorganic fertilizers were used and not combined with any of the organic manures. This is due to the increase in the growth parameters, due to increased uptake of available nutrients which caused increased photosynthetic rate resulting in higher yields. Similar results were reported by (4). Significant difference in grain and straw yields were recorded in both the varieties.
The effect of application of different types of organic manures (viz., FYM, Vermicompost and Neem cake) in conjunction with inorganic fertilizers was studied on
physico-chemical properties (Soil pH, E.C) (Table-3) and chemical properties (O.C, Available N,P,K and Cationic micronutrients) (Tables-3, 4 and 5).
Soil pH has no significant influence on different levels of inorganic fertilizers in conjunction with organic manures. This might be due to the buffering action of organic matter added to the soil. Similar results were observed with FYM and NPK fertilizers (5). The electrical conductivity of soil was not significantly influenced by different levels of inorganic fertilizers in conjunction with organic manures.
Organic carbon content was seen the highest in treatments 75% RDF + FYM + PSB + Azospirillum on par with 100% RDF + FYM, 100% RDF + Vermicompost, 75% RDF + Vermicompost, 100% RDF + Neem Cake and 75% RDF + Neem Cake, significantly different from treatment in which no organic manure is added in combination with inorganic fertilizers. Similar results were reported by (6).
The available N, P2O5 and K2O in soil were
significantly influenced by two levels of fertilizers applied in conjunction with three types of organic manures and biofertilizers. Among all the treatments 100% RDF + Neem cake showed the highest availability of N, on par with 75% RDF + Neem cake at the time of harvest of little millet crop. The control treatment recorded the lowest available nitrogen followed by 100% RDF in which no organic manures were added. Among all the treatments 100% RDF + Vermicompost showed the highest available P2O5, on par with 75% RDF + Vermicompost, 100% RDF
+ Neem cake and 75% RDF + Neem cake. Among all the treatments 100% RDF + Vermicompost showed the
Table-5 : Cumulative Effect of Organic manures and Inorganic fertilizers on soil available micronutrients of Little Millet
Available Zn (ppm)
Available Fe (ppm)
Available Mn (ppm )
Available Cu (ppm) Main plots (Varieties) (V)
Pedda sama 1.36 12.88 11.62 1.70
OLM 203 1.57 13.73 11.96 1.82
SEm 0.08 0.39 0.55 0.08
CD (0.05) NS NS NS NS
Sub plots (Fertilizer levels) (T)
T1 : 0% RDF (Control) 1.30 11.94 10.29 1.71
T2 : 100% RDF + FYM @5t/ha 1.49 13.58 11.92 2.00
T3 : 75% RDF + FYM @ 5t/ha + Azospirillum @5kg/ha + PSB@5kg/ha 1.44 14.20 11.82 1.70
T4 : 100% RDF + Vermicompost @ 2t/ha 1.54 13.33 12.81 1.81
T5 : 75% RDF + Vermicompost @ 2t/ha + Azospirillum 5kg/ha + PSB@5kg/ha 1.48 13.33 12.20 1.60
T6 : 100% RDF + Neem cake @ 1 t/ha 1.53 13.18 12.01 1.84
T7 : 75% RDF + Neem cake @ 1 t/ha + Azospirillum @5kg/ha + PSB@5kg/ha 1.61 13.47 12.04 1.68
T8 : 100% RDF 1.32 13.42 11.26 1.73
SEm 0.13 1.13 1.27 0.08
CD (0.05) NS NS NS NS
Interaction NS NS NS NS
CV% 12.27 18.9 16.45 14.57
highest available K2O which is on par with 75% RDF +
Vermicompost, 100% RDF+ Neem cake, 75% RDF+ Neem cake, 100% RDF+ FYM and 75% RDF + FYM. Similar results were reported by (7, 8).
The available cationic micronutrients i.e. Cu, Mn, Fe and Zn were not significantly influenced by the application of different levels of fertilizers in combination with different types of manures.
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