Journal of Environmental Biology

Effect of vermicompost on greengram productivity and soil health under hilly ecosystem of North East India

D.J. Rajkhowa¹*, A.K. Sarma¹, K. Mahanta³, U.S. Saikia¹ and Krishnappa R.²

¹Division of Natural Resource Management, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam-793 103, India

²Division of Crop Production, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam-793 103, India

³Department of Agronomy, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat-785 013, India

*Corresponding Author E-mail: djrajkhowa@gmail.com

Key words

Available nutrients,

Greengram,

Microbial population,

Soil health,

Vermicompost

Publication Data

Paper received : 10.07.2015

Revised received : 20.03.2016

Accepted : 06.06.2016

Abstract

Aim : The study aimed at evaluating of an appropriate nutrient management practice for increasing greengram productivity, improving soil health, and thus bringing sustainability to pulse production system in the hilly terrains of North East India.

Methodology : A field experiment was conducted during 2013 and 2014 to evaluate the effect of vermicompost, Rhizobium and lime in different combination with fertilizers on greengram productivity and soil health under terrace land situation of Meghalaya. Treatments comprised of recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF), 50% RDF + Rhizobium, 50% RDF + Rhizobium + lime 4 q ha^-1, 50% RDF + Vermicompost (VC) 2.5 t ha^-1, 50% RDF + lime 4 q ha^-1 and 50 % RDF + VC 2.5 t ha^-1 + lime 4 q ha^-1.

Results : Nutrient management practices significantly influenced the yield components, yield, soil nutrient status, as well as microbial population in soils. Integrated use of 50% RDF + VC 2.5 t ha^-1+ lime 4 q ha^-1 resulted in significantly higher yield of greengram (10 q ha^-1) and improved the soil organic carbon (2.5 %), bacterial and fungal population, pH and available N, P2O5 and K2O compared to recommended dose of fertilizer applied alone.

Interpretation : The results of the study indicated that the integrated use of 50 % RDF with vermicompost 2.5 t ha^-1 and lime 4 q ha^-1 is profitable for enhancing greengram productivity and improving soil health under hilly ecosystem of North East India.

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