Direct and residual effect of zinc and boron on soil enzyme activities at harvest in finger millet-groundnut cropping system

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted during 2015-16 and 2016-17 in the farmer’s field at Gutthikatte Village, Hosadurgataluk, Chitradurga district to study the direct and residual effect of zinc and boron on soil enzyme activity. The experiments were laid out in a randomized complete block design with fifteen treatments replicated thrice. The treatments were composed of recommended NPK with varied levels of Zn and B with FYM. The pooled analysis revealed that the direct application of RDF + FYM + ZnSO4 @ 15 kg ha-1 + Borax @ 12.5 kg ha-1 and residual effect of RDF + FYM + ZnSO4 @ 20 kg ha-1 + Borax @ 12.5 kg ha-1 recorded significantly higher dehydrogenase and urease activities were observed in post-harvest soils of both finger millet and groundnut crops compare to other treatments.