Effect of mulch, N and K application on soil chemical properties under chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum coronarium L) cultivation

Abstract

The present investigation was carried out to study the Effect of mulch, N and K application on soil chemical properties during production of annual chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum coronarium L.) using three types of mulches (i.e. Crop residue mulch, Silver plastic mulch and Black plastic mulch) and four levels of nitrogen and potassium i.e. 0 g N + 0 g K/m2, 20 g N + 10 g K/m2, 30 g N + 20 g K/m2 and 40 g N + 30 g K/m2 along with a uniform dose of phosphorus @ 20 g/m2 & FYM @ 5 kg/m2 except control. Black plastic mulch gave maximum values w.r.t. available N,P and K in soil, soil pH, electrical conductivity of seeds and in case of N and K application the maximum value of these parameters were recorded in case of the application of 40 g N+ 30 g K/m2. The interaction, M4 × N3K3 i.e. black plastic mulch and application of 40 g N/m2 + 30 g K/m2 recorded maximum values in terms of various soil quality parameters of commercial importance.