Effect of vermicompost on greengram productivity and soil health under hilly ecosystem of North East India

Abstract

Aim: The study aimed at evaluating of an appropriate nutrient management practice for increasing greengram productivity, improving soil health, and thus bringing sustainability to pulse production system in the hilly terrains of North East India. Methodology: A field experiment was conducted during 2013 and 2014 to evaluate the effect of vermicompost, Rhizobium and lime in different combination with fertilizers on greengram productivity and soil health under terrace land situation of Meghalaya. Treatments comprised of recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF), 50% RDF + Rhizobium, 50% RDF + Rhizobium + lime 4 q ha-1, 50% RDF + Vermicompost (VC) 2.5tha-1, 50%RDF + lime4q ha-1 and 50% RDF+VC2.5 tha-1 + lime4q ha-1. Results: Nutrient management practices significantly influenced the yield components, yield, soil nutrient status, as well as microbial population in soils. Integrated use of 50% RDF + VC 2.51 ha-1+ lime 4 q ha-1 resulted in significantly higheryield of greengram (10 q ha-1) and improved the soil organic carbon (2.5 %). bacterial and fungal population, pH and available N, P2O5 and K2O compared to recommended dose of fertilizerapplied alone. Interpretation: The results of the study indicated that the integrated use of 50 % RDF with vermicompost 2.51 ha-1 and lime 4 q ha-1 is profitable for enhancing greengram productivity and improving soil health under hilly ecosystem of North East India.