Effect of potash management through gliricidia green leaf manuring on physico-chemical and biological properties of vertisols

Abstract

A field study was conducted to evaluate the effect of potash management through gliricidia green leaf manuring on physico-chemical and biological properties of Vertisol during Kharif 2016 at Research field of AICRP for Dryland Agriculture, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola, Maharashtra. The six treatments replicated four times in randomized block design comprised of control, 100% RDF (30:75:30 NPK kg ha-1), 75% and 50% N and 100% P through chemical fertilizers and the combinations of 15 and 30 kg K ha-1 through gliricidia green leaf manure at 30 DAS and remaining recommended dose of potassium as basal dose through inorganic fertilizers. The results indicated that application of 100 % RDF (30:75:30 NPK kg ha-1) resulted in higher nutrient uptake and soybean yield and was found to be on par with application of 75% N +100% P+15 kg K (inorganic) +15 kg K through gliricidia. However, the significant improvement in biological properties of soil was recorded with application of 75% N +100% P+15 kg K through chemical fertilizers +15 kg K through gliricidia. Hence, it is concluded that conjunctive application of 75% N +100% P+15 kg K through chemical fertilizers +15 kg K through gliricidia green leaf manuring at 30 DAS resulted in improvement in Physico-chemical and biological properties of Vertisols under rainfed conditions.