Nutrient uptake and residual effect of organic treatments applied to vegetable–rice system in an acid soil

ABSTRACT

Direct and residual effects of organic treatments and in combination with inorganic fertilizers applied to acid soils were studied in the okra–rice system. Among the treatments studied, vermicompost (V.C) and poultry manure improved soil pH and exhibited liming effect, whereas inorganic fertilizer decreased soil pH. Inorganic fertilizer contributed to 78% of net return in okra but the residual effect was observed in inorganic and V.C combination. Soil available nitrogen and potassium had increased at 100% recommended dose, compensated crop uptake at 75%, but depletion was observed at 50%. Uptake of nitrogen was higher for okra from inorganic fertilizer but higher phosphorus and potassium uptake from V.C was observed for rice. Organic treatments showed better correlation between soil pH and zinc (Zn) uptake by okra and significant residual effect on rice. But it reduced the solubility of iron (Fe) and its uptake by okra and indicated a negative correlation between pH and diethylene triamine penta acetic acid-extractable Fe²⁺.

KEYWORDS:

• cropping system
• humid tropics
• organic amendments
• residual effect

Acknowledgments

The financial and material assistance provided by Central Island Agricultural Research Institute, Port Blair are thankfully acknowledged. The authors express their gratitude to Dr. S. Dam Roy, Director, for his support and constant encouragements. We also sincerely acknowledge the support of scientists, research scholars, technical, supporting, and administrative staffs of the institute.