Pollution Research Paper

INFLUENCE OF FYM AND VAM ON YIELD, NUTRIENT CONTENT AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF SPINACH (BETA VULGARIS)

TIRUPATHI RAO H., R. SUBHASH REDDY, S. SUMATHI AND P. JAYAMMA

Abstract

A poly bag experiment was conducted at Department of Agricultural Microbiology and Bioenergy, College of Agriculture, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad during 2011-12 to study the effect of FYM and VAM on yield, nutrient content and antioxidant activity of spinach. Recommended dose of chemical fertilizers (100% RDF, 50% RDF), farm yard manure and mycorrhizae were applied to the soil according to the treatments imposed. All green variety of spinach seeds (20) were sown in polybags and watered. The crop was harvested around 40 days after sowing. The results revealed that yield was highest in FYM+100%RDF followed by 100%RDF+FYM+VAM. Addition of FYM to the treatment VAM+100%RDF significantly increased the yield. Highest dry weight observed in 50%RDF+FYM+VAM followed by FYM+100%RDF and 100%RDF+FYM+VAM. Highest chlorophyll content was observed in FYM+100%RDF followed by 50%RDF+FYM+VAM and 100%RDF+FYM+VAM. Though the treatment FYM+100%RDF showed maximum number of leaves there was no significant difference among the treatments. Highest vitamin C content was recorded in 100%RDF+FYM+VAM and 50%RDF+FYM+VAM. Highest phenolic content was observed in 50% RDF+FYM+VAM followed by 100%RDF+FYM+VAM. Highest antioxidant activity and total carotene content were found in 50%RDF+FYM+VAM and 100%RDF+FYM+VAM treatments respectively. No significant difference was observed among the treatments interms of proline content. Highest nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium uptake was observed in the treatment with 50%RDF+FYM+VAM. The uptake was significantly increased when FYM was added to the VAM+100%RDF treatment. Lowest uptake of N, P and K content was found in VAM treatment. The results obtained in the present experiment indicate that the FYM or VAM or RDF alone did not help in higher yield. Though FYM with RDF gave the best results than RDF alone, use of VAM with FYM and RDF gave the best results in terms of yield, antioxidant activity, and vitamin C content.