Effect of integrated nutrient management on the potassium content in the plant and its effect on the quality characters and disease infestation of different crops in rice (Oryza sativa ) based intensive cropping system*

Abstract

A field experiment was carried out during 2002-2004 at Kalyani, West Bengal, in clay loam soil to study the effect of integrated nutrient management on the potassium content in the plant and its effect on the quality characters and disease infestation of different crops in rice based intensive cropping system. The relationships between potassium content with hulling or milling or head rice recovery percentage were significantly close and positive. The quality characters in rnbi crops (potato, cabbage and onion) and summer crops (greengram and cowpea) have significantly influenced with integrated nutrient management treatments. Among the different nutrient management treatments 75% of recommended dose of N, P and K along with 25% N through Neematex or FYM or Biomax gave better results with significant effect on potassium content in the respective crops. Significant close and positive correlation with potassium content and quality characters of potato, cabbage, onion, greengram and cowpea was also found except reducing sugar content of potato and onion (I= -0.895 and -0.914 for potato and onion respectively). Potassium content showed negative correlation with disease infestation (PDI of rice on brown spot disease, PDI of potato on late blight incidence) r= -0.908, -0.792 in respective crops.