Evaluation of INM options on crop performance and soil fertility under tomato-green manure-brinjal cropping system

Abstract

Integrated nutritional treatments were applied in tomato and the effect was observed on the performance of instant as well as rotational crop of brinjal, alongwith residual soil fertility, in tomato-green manure-brinjal cropping system. There were several integrated treatments which showed marginal superiority over the sole chemical NPK fertilizers applications with respect to certain vegetative characters, viz., mean fruit weight and yield of tomato as well as on brinjal. The application of PSB + 75% P + full N and K through fertilizers proved to be the highest yielder in both the crops. The residual organic carbon and potassium content in the soil, assessed after the completion of each rotational crop during three consecutive years, were significantly higher under some integrated treatments when compared with the sole chemical fertilization. Although P content was not influenced significantly, it also showed marginal increase under majority of integrated treatments. The treatments having FYM integration proved overall best terms of improving soil fertility and reducing the chemical fertilization.