Effects of Organic Inputs on Soil Health with Special Reference to Potash Management

Abstract

An experiment was conducted at the Instructional cum Research Farm and department of agronomy, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat during kharif season in the year 2015 to study the effect of different organic inputs on soil health with special reference to potash management in scented paddy variety Badshah bhog. Organic fertilization improves the soil structure and texture, enhances the water holding capacity of the soil and increases the microorganism activity in the soil, thereby sustained soil fertility and productivity. Ten treatment combinations of organic inputs were laid out in Randomised Block Design (RBD) with three replications. The experimental field was acidic in reaction with sandy loam in texture. The results revealed that application of different treatment significantly influenced the soil health. Among different organic inputs, the highest available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in soil were recorded in enriched compost (100% RDK i.e., Recommended Dose of Potassium). The narrow C:N and C:P ratio in soil were found in enriched compost (100% RDK) and C:K ratio was found to be reduced in banana vermicompost (100% RDK). Banana vermicompost (100% RDK) was found to registered highest microbial biomass carbon (MBC), Dehydrogenase (DH) and Phosphomonoesterase (PMHes) activity but significantly at par with enriched compost (100% RDK). The organic inputs as a whole enhanced the physico-chemical and biological properties of soil. The study revealed that application of enriched compost (100% RDK) and banana vermicompost (100% RDK) were beneficial for potash management in organic cultivation of scented paddy to sustain soil health under agro-ecological situation of Assam.