Agro-Potentiality of Treated Paperboard Mill Effluent Along with Organic Amendments on Growth and Yield Characteristics of Okra

Abstract

Field experiment was conducted in Indian Tobacco Company - Paperboards and Specialty Papers Division (ITC-PSPD) model farm, Thekkampatti, Mettupalayam, Coimbatore District, Tamil Nadu to assess the impact of ITC treated effluent and solid wastes on crop growth, yield and quality of okra and soil. The experiment was a 7x2 factorial arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) and replicated three times. The treatment combinations consisted of seven amendments and two sources of irrigation water (well water and effluent water). The seven amendments were T1-Control 100% NPK, T2-FYM 25 t ha-1+NPK, T3-ETP Sludge 5 t ha-1+NPK, T4-Biochar 2.5 t ha-1+NPK, T5-Vermicompost 3.5 t ha-1+NPK, T6-Pressmud 6 t ha-1+NPK and T7-Fly ash 5 t ha-1+NPK. Plant spacing used was 45 x 30 cm and irrigated at weekly intervals. The treated paperboard mill effluent and solid wastes generated from ITC (PSPD), Unit: Kovai for cultivating okra resulted in increased yield (37.8 per cent) and growth characteristics along with the application of vermicompost. This is because of the nutrients present in the treated paperboard mill effluent. The scientific ways and means of recycling this wastewater in an integrated, eco friendly manner is the main objective of this study.