Integrated nutrient management in cape gooseberry

Abstract

Excessive use of inorganic fertilizers may lead to health hazards, ecological vulnerabilities and deterioration of soil health. Hence, the present experiment was conducted to substitute the mineral fertilizers with biofertilizers in cape gooseberry by maintaining the yield potential and soil fertility status. Cape gooseberry plants were treated with Azotobacter, phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) and potassium solubilizing bacteria (KSB) @ 10 g plant-1 each with a reduced dose of recommended fertilizer (RDF) from 100 to 60%. The highest yield was recorded with 90% RDF + Azotobacter, PSB and KSB treatment, statistically at par with 60% RDF + Azotobacter, PSB and KSB treatment. Fruit weight was also increased significantly in 60-90% RDF + Azotobacter, PSB, and KSB-treated plants. The best quality fruits were obtained in 60% or 90% RDF + Azotobacter, PSB and KSB treated plants. From the experimental findings, it can be concluded that the integrated nutrient module comprised of 60% RDF of NPK + Azotobacter, PSB and KSB @ 10 g plant-1 proved the best treatment to improve the production of quality fruits in cape gooseberry.