Nutrient release pattern of organic and inorganic resources used in cassava production (Manihot esculenta Crantz)

Abstract

The major constraint in the promotion of organic farming, a safe and sustainable alternative, is lack of availability of quality organic resources in sufficient quantities. The quality of resources can be ascertained by monitoring its nutrient release pattern, which has not yet been attempted. A controlled condition pot experiment was conducted at ICAR-Central Tuber Crops Research Institute, Thiruvananthapuram, India, in completely randomized design to study the nutrient dynamics of various organic and inorganic resources, commonly used in cassava production, at monthly intervals up to six months. The release of almost all nutrients and activity of soil enzymes were higher at the middle (3 or 4 months) of the incubation period. The pH showed an increasing trend and electrical conductivity, organic C and Fe content declined from initial. Averaging over stages, organic practice favored the activity of soil enzymes and release of almost all nutrients over conventional system significantly, except N.

Keywords:

• resources
• release pattern
• incubation study
• soil reaction
• major
• secondary
• micro nutrients
• soil enzymes
• cassava

Acknowledgment

The authors sincerely acknowledge the Director, ICAR-CTCRI, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India, for providing facilities to carry out this research as a part of the Ph.D. thesis submitted to the University of Kerala.