INCREASING PHOSPHORUS USE EFFICIENCY IN BANANA cv. NENDRAN

Transcription

1 INCREASING PHOSPHORUS USE EFFICIENCY IN BANANA cv. NENDRAN By "- SHEHANA. R. S. \ ' THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE KERALA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF SOIL SCIENCE AND AGRICULTURAL CHEMISTRY COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE VELLA Y AN I THIRUVANANTHAPURAM 1997

2 CERTIFICATE Certified that this thesis entitled "Increasing phosphorus use efficiency in banana cv. Nendran" is a record of research work done independently by Smt. Shehana, R. S. under my guidance and supervision and that it has not previously formed the basis for the award of any degree, fellowship or associateshipt I,' ", '. -/)~ J~ Vellayani, ot.s Dr. (Mrs.) Alice Abraham (Chairman, Advisory Committee) Professor, Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Agriculture, Vellayani.

3 ABSTRACT The efficiency of phospho bacterin culture in increasing the availability of phosphorus from MRP and the resultant effect on the growth and yield of banana, cv. Nendran was evaluated by conducting laboratory incubation and field studies at FSRS, Kottarakkara during Representative soil samples from the field at FSRS, Kottarakkara were mixed with MRP, PH, FYM and lime in different combinations and incubated a't 60% WHC for 90 days. There was only a slight variation in the ph of soil upto 20 days due to the effect of different inputs. After 20 days, the soil showed a tendency to become slightly acidic reaching a mean value of only 5.6 from the initial ph of 5.7. The P solubilising effect was maximum with a combination of PH, FYM and MRP. At the end of 90 days incubation, out of the 100 ppm P applied as MRP, a maximum of ppm P became available in this treatment. P solubilised in the unamended soil was only 3.90 ppm and in the other treatments receiving FYM, lime and MRP either alone or in different other combinations, the values ranged from 9.21 to ppm.

4 The application or 3/4 level or the recommended P along with PH, FYM and mulch has produced a significant positive effect on growth and yield characters compared to all the other treatments including the treatment as per package of practices recommendation of the KAU. The highest bunch yield of kg plant-i, which was significantly superior to the yield in all the other treatments was recorded by plants supplied with 3/4 level of recommended P as MRP, 10 kg FYM and PB inoculated with proper mulching. The increase in yield in this treatment was 7.55% higher than the yield from plants given fertilizers as per the POP recommendations of the KAU. The second highest bunch weight of 9.93 kg planc I was recorded by the plants which received the full recommended level of P along with Nand K (POP recommendation). This yield was on par with the yield obtained in the treatment where only 1/2 the recommended level of P was used along with PB, FYM and mulch. The use of FYM and mulching was found to be nn essential practice to obtain the maximum benefit from the use of PB. It may be concluded from the results of the study that for increasing the efficiency of utilization of applied P to banana in the acidic laterite soils, a combined application of MRP and PB along with FYM and mulch is

5 essential. This package was found to be very effective in increasing the available P status of soil, promoting plant growth and increasing the yield of banana with a lower level of P than what is recommended at present. For achieving a higher net return from banana cultivation along with other inputs like FYM and mulch, the use of 3/4 level of P and PB inoculation may be considered as a viable alternative to the present POP recommendation.