Influence of treated sludge, FYM and fertilizers on yield and uptake of micronutrients in spinach

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted in rabi season of 2007-09 to evaluate the effect of treated sewage sluge, FYM and fertilizers on yield, uptake of micronutrients and heavy metals in spinach (Spinacia oleracea L) at Bichpuri (Agra). Application of treated sewage sluge and FYM (10 t/ ha) increased significantly the mean green foliage yield of spinach over control by 67.1 and 29.3%. Increasing levels of NPK fertilizers from 50 to 150% significantly increased the yield, content and uptake of nutrients significantly over control. Highest yield of spinach (19.71 and 17.5 t/ ha) was recorded in the treatment comprising 100% NPK + 10 t sludge/ ha during first and second year, respectively. Application of 100% NPK + 10 t sludge ha1 resulted in the maximum absorption and uptake of heavy metals in spinach leaves