Impact of treated papermill effluent on yield and quality of Bhendi

Abstract

An attempt has been made to use the treated paperboard mill effluent and well water with STCR recommended NPK, MLSS (Mixed Liquor Suspended Solids) and pressmud compost as nutrient source for cultivating Bhendi crop to assess their impact on yield and fruit quality. Application of MLSS, Pressmud compost had increased the available nutrients (N, P, K) and organic carbon content in the soil. The treatment combination of 50% STCR recommended NPK + 50% MLSS (Mixed Liquor Suspended Solids) + effluent irrigation performed better compared to other treatments. The experimental results revealed that yield of Bhendi under treated effluent irrigation was higher than well water irrigation. The yield increase was recorded as 31.20 percent over the control (100% STCR NPK + well water). The quality parameters viz., crude fibre and total protein were higher under effluent irrigation.