Comparative Evaluation of different Crop Production Practices on Soil Organic Carbon and Nutrients Status in Arecanut

Author: Shivanand Hongal, Sowjanya T.V., Sudheesh Kulkarni, Maheswarappa H.P., Gurumurthy S.B., Shivakumar K.M., Rahul Phatak, Divya S. Bhat, Nagesh and Roopa K.M. Muttappanavar

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Abstract

Knowing the negative impacts of chemicals, we have been exploring for alternative methods in agriculture that can not only result in higher yields but are also environmentally friendly. Apart from modern agricultural approaches, numerous crop production modules are practiced in Indian agriculture, such as Organic farming, Natural farming, Chemical farming etc. Despite the fact that there are many modules, comparative scientific research to evaluate the various modules is limited. In this regard, a field experiment was conducted in the farmer’s field at Andagi village of Sirsi taluk to study the effect of different crop production practices (Recommended package of practice (RPP), Organic farming, Natural farming and Chemical farming) on soil fertility status in arecanut. The pooled data (2020 and 2021) depicted that, soil pH and electrical conductivity did not vary significantly due to different farming system. Whereas, significantly highest soil organic carbon content was found in organic farming (0.81%) which was on par with natural farming (0.76%) and least was noticed in chemical farming (0.57%). The highest available nitrogen (329.01 kg ha-1), phosphorus (31.77 kg ha-1) and potassium (216.52 kg ha-1) contents in soil were recorded in RPP. Whereas the highest secondary and micro nutrients content in soil was observed in organic and natural faming. The lowest of all these nutrients were recorded in chemical farming at harvest stage of arecanut.

Keywords

Arecanut, black pepper, soil organic carbon, nutrients status

Conclusion

The current analysis amply demonstrated that there was improvement in the soil health with natural and organic farming in arecanut plantation. Hence, reducing the input of chemical fertilizers and application of natural fertilizers such as organic manure viz., jeevamrutha, ghanajeevamrutha, FYM, vermicompost, crop residues, green manure and compost could sustain the soil health.

References

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How to cite this article

Shivanand Hongal, Sowjanya T.V., Sudheesh Kulkarni, Maheswarappa H.P., Gurumurthy S.B., Shivakumar K.M., Rahul Phatak, Divya S. Bhat, Nagesh and Roopa K.M. Muttappanavar (2023). Comparative Evaluation of different Crop Production Practices on Soil Organic Carbon and Nutrients Status in Arecanut. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(5a): 87-91.