Influence of Organic Manuring on the Post Harvest Soil Quality of Chickpea and Radish Grown After Chickpea

Abstract

The quality of a soil is defined in terms of its physico chemical and biological parameters. These characters depend on the supplement provided to the soil in terms of organic and inorganic amendments. It also reflects the soil fertility status which has a high influence on the production of crops. Applications of organic ingredients like composts, vermicomposts and other organic sources have an influence on the productivity of soil and for further sustainable agricultural productivity. The present study was conducted with an objective to assess the influence of different organic sources like composts and vermicomposts prepared from parthenium and poultry manure on post harvest soil of chickpea (Cicer arietinum var. Co 1) and radish (Raphanus sativus var. pusa chetki) and compared with control red soil and recommended dosage of NPK. The chickpea after harvest was incorporated into soil and radish was then grown in that soil. The post harvest soil characters like macro and micro nutrients were assessed after harvesting chickpea and then radish. The post chickpea had a higher total nitrogen content in composted poultry droppings at 35.0 g per pot and vermicomposted poultry droppings at 43.75 g per pot, phosphorus in vermicomposted poultry droppings at 43.75 g per pot and N : P : K and potassium in vermicomposted poultry droppings at 43.75 g per pot. The zinc was more in vermicomposted parthenium at 26.25 g per pot, vermicomposted poultry droppings at 43.75 g per pot and N:P:K application, copper was high in red loamy soil (control), iron was also observed to be more in control (Red loamy soil) and N: P: K whereas manganese was high in composted parthenium at 35.0 g per pot and 43.75 g per pot. Radish grown with chickpea as green manure had higher N, P and K in vermicomposted poultry droppings at 43.75 g per pot. The micro nutrients zinc and copper were more in vermicomposted poultry droppings at 35.0 g per pot and 43.75 g per pot. Iron was more in T15, N : P : K whereas manganese was more in composted Parthenium Summing up the salient findings of the present investigation, it can be stated that the toxic weed Parthenium and organic waste poultry droppings can be converted into valuable manures which can promote crop production by improving the soil fertility.