Asian Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology & Environmental Sciences Paper

Vol 24, Issue 3, 2022; Page No.(556-559)

ASSESSMENT OF PHYSICO-CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF SOIL DUE TO APPLICATION OF NPK WITH NEEM CAKE ON OKRA (ABELMOSCHUS ESCULENTUS L.) VAR. ARKA ANAMIKA

SIBANI KUMARI, AMREEN HASAN, TARENCE THOMAS, ARUN ALFRED DAVID AND RAGHUNANDAN KHATANA

Abstract

The field experiment took place at the Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences’ Soil Science Research Farm in Prayagraj during the Kharif season of 2021. Three different pairing were used in the investigation: three levels of NPK at 0%, 50%, and 100% ha-1, and three levels of neem cake at 0%, 50%, and 100% ha-1. The result obtained with treatment T9 [100% NPK +100% neem cake] Maximum Bulk density 1.272 Mg m-3 in 0-15cm and 1.333 Mg m-3 in 15-30cm, Particle density 2.550 Mg m-3 in 0-15cm and 2.580 Mg m-3 in 15-30cm, % Pore space 50.11% in 0-15cm and 48.33% in 15-30cm, Water holding capacity (%) 58.32% in 0-15cm and 58.00% in 15-30cm, pH 7.53 in 0-15cm and 7.54 in 15-30cm, EC (dSm-1) 0.341 in 0-15cm and 0.337 in 15-30cm, % Organic Carbon 0.425% in 0-15cm and 0.412% in 15-30cm, Available Nitrogen 279.38 kg ha-1 in 0-15cm and 273.28 kg ha-1 in 15-30cm, Available Phosphorus 16.86 kg ha-1 in 0-15cm and 16.15 kg ha-1 in 15-30cm and Available Potassium 179.87 kg ha-1 in 0-15cm and 175.0 kg ha-1 in 15-30cm. The use of Neem cake, as well as its blend with complete NPK, significantly improves the growth and overall production of Okra.