Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

SIGNIFICANCE OF BIO-STIMULANT IN MAXIMIZING CHLOROPHYLL CONTENT INDEX AND NUTRIENT UPTAKE POTENTIAL OF SOYBEAN

R.V. Mahajan, V.M. Bhale, J.P. Deshmukh, P.V. Shingrup and S.P. Patil

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during the kharif season 2012-13 at the research farm of Department of Agronomy, Dr. PDKV, Akola. (MS). “Significance of bio-stimulant in maximizing chlorophyll content index and nutrient uptake potential of soybean”. Treatments imposed on soybean crop consisted of six combinations of seaweed liquid fertilizer and one control, namely T1-0 %-( No application of seaweed sap), T2:K-sap@5%+RDF, T3:K-sap@10%+RDF, T4:K-sap@15%+RDF, T5:G-sap@5%+RDF, T6:G-sap@10%+RDF and T7:G-sap@15%+RDF. The foliar spray was applied twice at 25 and 45 DAS with different concentrations (0, 5.0, 10.0 and 15.0% v/v) of seaweed extracts (Kappaphycus and Gracilaria). Result revealed that, foliar applications of seaweed extract, i.e. G-sap@15%+RDF significantly enhanced the chlorophyll content index (CCI) at 30 DAS (28.56%) and 50 DAS (33.98%). Cumulatively percent increased of chlorophyll content index at 30 and 50 DAS were 20.27% and 30.34% respectively. Foliar application of G-sap@15+RDF (T7) noted significantly highest nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium uptake in grain and straw. Highest micronutrient uptake i.e. Zinc, Copper, Iron and Manganese in grain and straw were registered in foliar application of G-sap@15+RDF (T7). However it may at par with K-sap@15+RDF(T3) and (T2) G-sap@10% (T5).