PJB-2019-734
Integrated nutrient management in banana: comparative role of FYM and composted pressmud for the improvement of soil properties
Ambrin Rajput, Mehrunisa Memon, Kazi Suleman Memon, Tanveer Ali Sial and Hadi Bux Laghari
Abstract
Banana crop requires high nutrient supply for optimal production and economic benefits. Low crop yields are due to the low fertility of the soil, which can be improved with the addition of organic and inorganic sources of nutrients. This study evaluated the role of FYM and pressmud in improving the soil properties of the banana field. A field experiment involving the use of organic and inorganic sources of nutrients was laid out in a split-plot design. The organic sources i.e. control, FYM and composted pressmud (CPM), each at 20 t ha-1 constituted the major split and mineral fertilizer treatments (full N, N+1/2P, N+3/4P, N+P, N+P+K and 1.25 NP) as sub-split. The fertilizer rates were based on the recommended rates of N, P2O5 and K2O (500-250-500 kg ha-1). Each treatment received a blanket application of ZnSO4 at 10 kg ha-1. Banana (Cv. Dwarf Cavendish) was grown for one cropping cycle. Soil samples were secured from each treatment after the banana harvest and included a composite sample before conducting the experiment. The results showed that the increased fertilizer rates did not increase soil EC, pH, OM, soil macro and micro-nutrients. FYM improved the fertility of surface soil by increasing organic matter (49.2%), Olsen P (45.2%), NH4OAc-K (3.9%), and DTPA-Cu (16.4%), Fe (61.8%), Mn (17.5%), and Zn (44.5%) over control and was superior over CPM. However, the later requires extended use to establish its beneficial effect on soil properties with particular reference to EC. Banana flourishes well on soils with very low salt content. FYM or CPM, in both cases the values decreased with the increase in soil depth.
To Cite this article:
Rajput, A., M. Memon, K.S. Memon, T.A. Sial and H.B. Laghari. 2022. Integrated nutrient management in banana: comparative role of FYM and composted pressmud for the improvement of soil properties. Pak. J. Bot., 54(1): DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.30848/PJB2022-1(34)
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