Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management on Micronutrient Uptake, Status, Microbial Count and Yield of Ridge Gourd in Lateritic Soil

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during Kharif season of 2016 at Central Experiment Station, Wakawali to study the effect of integrated nutrient management on micronutrient uptake, status, microbial count and yield of ridge gourd in lateritic soil of coastal Maharashtra. The results of the experiment showed that application of 50 per cent recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) + 50 per cent N through poultry manure + P and K+ Azotobacter @ 250 g per 10 kg seed significantly improved content and uptake of micronutrients, namely DTPA extractable iron, manganese, copper and zinc. Highest content of bacteria (44.00 x 10⁶ cfu g^-1), actinomycetes (23.33 x 106 cfu g^-1) followed by fungi (10.00 x 10⁶ cfu g^-1) were also observed under the same treatment. This treatment produced significantly highest fruit yield (16.64 t ha^-1) as compared to absolute control (9.39 t ha^-1) and RDF alone (14.86 t ha^-1) treatments. However, it was at par with treatment (16.24 t ha^-1) consisting 50 per cent RDN + 50 per cent N through vermicompost + P and K + Azotobacter @ 250 g per 10 kg seed. It is therefore recommended to use manures, fertilizers and biofertilizer in an integrated manner to improve micronutrient content, uptake and microbial population and also the yield of ridge gourd in lateritic soil of coastal region of Maharashtra.