Integrated nutrient management sapota [Manilkara zapota] using vermicompost to increase yield and quality

Abstract

An experiment was conducted during 1998-2001 at Agricultural Research Station, Gangavati, Kamataka to study the effect of vermicompost application with varied levels of recommended dose of fertilizer on yield and quality of 'Kalipatti' sapota [Manilkara zapota (L.) P. Royan] and soil properties. The treatments were combinations of vermicompost @ 2.5 tonnedha and 5 levels of recommended dose of fertilizer, i e 100, 75,50, 25 and 0% of recommended dose of fertilizer. The pooled data revealed that highest fruit yield was recorded under 100% recommended dose of fertilizer + vermicompost application (1 8.4 kg fruitlplant) that however remained on a par with 75% recommended dose of fertilizer + vermicompost and 100% recommended dose of fertilizer alone. Reduction in recommended dose of fertilizer beyond 75% resulted in significantly lower yields. The total soluble sugars remained significantly higher in all treatments involving vermicompost application. Application of vermicompost alone, however, resulted in significantly lower yield (46.7% reduction over recommended dose of fertilizer + vermicompost application). Reduction in recommended dose of fertilizer levels resulted in lesser number of fruits (309,294,240 and 203 fruits 1 plant under 100, 75,50 and 25% recommended dose of fertilizer application respectively). The fruit weight significantly reduced when the crop was fertilized fully inorganically (100 %recommended dose of fertilizer) and also when less inorganic fertilizer was applied in conjunction with vermicompost (25% recommended dose of fertilizer + vermicompost). Soil organic carbon increased but bulk density decreased due to vermicompost application.