Conjoint effect of Vermicompost and nitrogen on inceptisols of western Uttar Pradesh

Abstract

Vermicompost and nitrogen scheduling on periodic nutrients availability in soil at different growth stages of rice crop were studied with rice (PB-1) and wheat (PBW 502) with two field experiments conducted during 2011-12 and 2012-13 in the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut. Analysis of soil for different physicochemical properties of soil at different growth stages of rice was done. Availability of soil N increased due to addition of vermicompost and more availability was found with delayed application of vermicompost. Phosphorous and potassium were higher in those treatments where vermicompost was applied with 75% N and 100 % PK. Slightly lower soil pH was found with the application of 100% NPK. At all the stages maximum electrical conductivity was found in T1 where no fertilizer was applied. At flowering highest organic carbon percent in soil was found in case of T9 while at harvest in T10 during both the years. With exception of T1 rest of the treatments were found statistically at par in respect of available soil Mn during both the years. The application effect of vermicompost on the availability of soil copper was not found at any stage. Availability of zinc at harvest did not varied significantly due to timing of vermicompost. At harvesting Fe varied from 10.75 to 13.13 and 10.27 to 12.27 mg kg-1 during 2011 and 2012 respectively.