Effect of integrated nutrient management on growth and nutrient uptake in papaya (Carica papaya L.) At nursery level

Abstract

A pot experiment was conducted in Green house of the Department of Agricultural Microbiology, IGKV, Raipur (Chhattisgarh) during 2016-17 to assess the effect of integrated nutrient management on growth performance of papaya seedling. The experiment was laid out in CRD with three replications and seven treatments involving organic manure, Azotobacter inoculation (Azoto 1 and Azoto 3) alone and along with PSB and 100% recommended dose of fertilizer and control. The results revealed that significantly highest plant growth was obtained under dual inoculation with Azoto 3 + PSB as compared to uninoculated treatments and control. Dual inoculation with Azoto 3 + PSB + 75 % NP + 100 % K (T7), treatment produced significantly maximum shoot dry biomass of 3.53 g/seedling against 2.92 and 2.67 g/seedling at 100% RDF and control respectively. Nitrogen uptake by papaya significantly increased from 25.62 at control to 43.76 mg per seedling. 32.21% increased in shoot dry biomass accumulation over control was found in papaya seedling receiving Azoto 3+ PSB + 75%NP + 100% K at 120 DAT. Inoculation treatment with Azoto 3 and PSB along with 75 %NP and 100% K considered most effective and may be adopted to improve vegetative growth of papaya in nursery.