Evaluation of different enriched composts under protected organic farming in capsicum-pea based cropping system

Abstract

Background: For the successful adoption of organic farming especially under protected cultivation conditions there is a dire need to enrich and fortify the different composts for meeting out the requirements of crops. Experiments were conducted at Model Organic Farm, Department of Organic Agriculture and Natural Farming, CSKHPKV, Palampur and at farmers field in Akrot, Una and Rajol Kangra of HP with an objective to evaluate different enriched composts under protected organic farming conditions. Methods: The experiments were conducted with 9 treatments viz. Matka khad (M) + Rock phosphate (RP), Matka khad + Gypsum (G), Matka khad + Patent kali (PK), Matka khad + Lime (L), Matka khad + control, Matka khad + Combination of RP,G,PK,L + Tricoderma + Rhi/Azoto + PSB, Panchgavya + Combination of RP,G,PK,L + Tricoderma + Rhi/Azoto + PSB, Jeevamrit + Combination of RP,G,PK,L + Tricoderma + Rhi/Azoto + PSB and Vermicompost. These treatments were selected after preparation of enriched and fortified FYM and its evaluation by microbial and nutrient analysis. Pea crop variety Pb-89 and Capsicum crop variety California wonder were selected for the experiments under polyhouse at research farm and at farmer’s field. Result: Results showed that inoculation of biomass with matka khad along with additives i.e. rock phosphate, gypsum, patent kali and lime @ of 1% and fortification with Tricoderma, suitable biofertilizer (Rhizobium/Azotobacter) along with PSB increased the yield of Pea crop more than 40% at organic farm and farmers fields, whereas in case of capsicum the increase in yield was to the tune of 14% at model organic farm and more than 40% at two different sites of farmers field.