Effect of integrated nutrient management on soil fertility and organic carbon in cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) growing soils

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted in a Haplaquept soil (pH 7.70 and organic carbon 0.58%) to study the effect of integrated nutrient management on the availability of N, P, K and cationic micronutrients in soils in relation to ‘Green Express’cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.) under different treatment combinations. In general, the adoption of integrated nutrient management practices helped to build up soil nutrient status with respect to N, P, K, Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn contents. The treatment receiving recommended levels of N, P and K 4 tonnes/ha organic manures and 0.5 kg/ha Zn as Zn-EDTA proved superior in augmenting soil fertility. However, the highest organic carbon content (0.88%) was observed in the treatment where 4 tonnes/ha organic manure was applied along with recommended levels of NPK and zinc at 0.5 kg/ha. The amount of cationic micronutrients (Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn) in soil increased in the treatments receiving organic manure @ 4 tonnes/ha + zn at 0.5kg/ ha as Zn-EDTA and organic manure at 10 tonnes/ha + Zn at 0.5kg/ha+ NPK as basal application.