Effect of integrated nutrient management on growth and yield of little gourd (Coccinia grandis L.)

Abstract

The present investigation entitled “Integrated nutrient management studies in little gourd (Coccinia grandis L.)” was carried out at College of Horticulture, Dapoli (M.H), Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth Dapoli, Dist. Ratnagiri during year 2021-2022. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with ten treatments and replicated thrice including different organic manure (Vermicompost, FYM and Neem Cake) and biofertilizers (Azotobacter and PSB) in combination with inorganic fertilizers. The various treatments were T1-FYM 10 t/ha and RDF (100:50:50 NPK/kg/ha), T2-RDF + Azotobacter @ 5 kg/ha + PSB @ 5 kg/ha, T3-25% RDF + Vermicompost @ 5 t/ha, T4-25% RDF + Vermicompost @ 5 t/ha + Azotobacter @ 5 kg/ha + PSB @ 5 kg/ha, T5-50% RDF + Vermicompost @ 5 t/ha, T6-50% RDF + Vermicompost @ 5 t/ha + Azotobacter @ 5 kg/ha + PSB @ 5 kg/ha, T7-25% RDF + Neem cake @ 5 t/ha, T8-25% RDF + Neem cake @ 5 t/ha + Azotobacter @ 5 kg/ha + PSB @ 5 kg/ha, T9- 50% RDF + Neem cake @ 5 t/ha, T10- 50% RDF + Neem cake @ 5 t/ha + Azotobacter @ 5 kg/ha + PSB @ 5 kg/ha. The effect of integrated nutrient management including Vermicompost, FYM, Neem Cake and biofertilizers in combination with inorganic fertilizers on growth and yield parameters of little gourd was studied during the investigation period. The result indicated the beneficial effect of integrated nutrient management on various yield parameters of little gourd. The application 50% RDF with Vermicompost @ 5 t/ha (T5) significantly influenced the yield and yield attributing characters i.e. number of days required for flowering from planting (122.11 days), number of fruits per plant (905.00), number of harvest (54.33), yield per plant (8.93 kg), yield per plot (26.32 kg) and yield per hectare (21.20 t), whereas Treatment T6 i.e. 50% RDF with Vermicompost @ 5 t/ha and Azotobacter @ 5 kg/ha + PSB @ 5 kg/ha recorded maximum performance with respect to vegetative parameters i.e. diameter of vine at 240 days (26.38 mm).