Effects of non-chemical weed and nutrient management on soil available nutrient, uptake, micronutrients, and nutrient balance in organic brinjal production systems (Solanum melongena L.)

Abstract

The present experiment entitled “Development of organic farming package for brinjal (Solanum melongena L.)” was conducted during kharif season of the year 2017 and 2018 at Research Farm of Post Graduate Institute, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri, Dist. Ahmednagar, Maharashtra (India). The experiment was laid out in strip plot design with three replications. The main plot treatments were applied to brinjal comprised of non-chemical weed control modules viz. Gliricidia leaf mulching @ 5 t ha-1, Biodegradable mulch (soybean straw) @ 5 t ha-1, Mechanical (hoeing) intercultivation and pulling of weeds, Control -Weedy check, Weed free (Hand weedings with 15 days interval). Different organic nutrients sources and biofertilizers i.e. Azospirillum and PSB as a (1:1) @ 500 g 10 lit-1) as sub plot treatments which comprised of seven organic sources treatments viz., 100% RDN through FYM with biofertilizers, 100% RDN through vermicompost with biofertilizers, 100% RDN through neem cake with biofertilizers, 50% RDN each through FYM and vermicompost with biofertilizers, 50% RDN each through FYM and neem cake with biofertilizers, 50% RDN each through vermicompost and neem cake with biofertilizers, 1/3 N each through FYM, vermicompost and neem cake with biofertilizers. Total nutrient uptake and available nutrient of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium was significantly higher due application of organic nutrient sources 50% RDN each through FYM and VC with biofertilizers of brinjal crop during both the years of experimentation. At the end of two seasons, micronutrients were slightly influenced due to application of different organic nutrient sources. The results indicated that cultivation of kharif brinjal with non-chemical weed control modules of keeping the crop weed free up to 80 days after transplanting by adapting five hand weeding (at an interval of 15 days) or by four mechanical (hoeing) intercultivation and pulling of weeds between the rows (20 days interval from 20 to 80 days after transplanting) and application of 50 per cent nitrogen 50 N kg ha-1) each through farmyard manure and vermicompost with biofertilizers (Azospirillum and PSB) along with organic plant protection measures found suitable organic farming package for higher productivity and sustaining soil health.