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Effect of Organic Composts in Red Amaranth and Spinach Productivity and Soil Fertility

M. M. Rahman
Department of Soil ScienceBangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur 1706

G. K. M. M. Rahman
Department of Soil ScienceBangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur 1706

M. S. I. Afrad
Department of Agricultural Extension & Rural Development,Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur 1706

S. Islam
Department of Soil ScienceBangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur 1706

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

An experiment was conducted at the experimental farm of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur, Bangladesh during December 2009 to March 2010 to study the effect of household wastes compost, palli compost and quick compost on growth and yield of red amaranth and spinach and improvement of soil fertility. The first time red amaranth and spinach were grown using compost and inorganic fertilizers, while the second time crops grown using only residual nutrients in soil. Yield data revealed that combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizers were significantly better than the solitary application of inorganic fertilizers. The fresh yield of red amaranth in the second harvest where no fertilizers were used recorded 13 t ha^-1, which appeared significantly higher over the first harvest (10 t ha^-1) and there was no significant difference between the yields of first and second harvest of spinach (18 t ha^-1). Different composts increased OM, N, P and K contents, which indicated the fertility improvement of soil. The performance of composts at the rate of 20 t ha^-1 in producing yields of vegetables was insignificantly different with the rates of 5-10 t ha^-1. Among the different composts, household waste is available in the rural areas and its preparation is easy with minimum costs. Therefore, considering the availability and costing, household waste compost at the rate of 5-10 t ha^-1is recommended as a soil amendment for improving soil fertility and crop productivity.

Keywords: Composts, Fertility, Leafy vegetables, Productivity

Location: Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMRAU), Gazipur,Bangladesh

Start Date: 00-12-2009

End Date: 00-03-2010

Program Area: Crop-Soil-Water Management

Commodity: Soil fertility, Spinach, Amaranth

Objectives:

1. To quantify the effect of household wastes compost (HW), palli compost (PC) and quick compost (QC) on growth and yield of two vegetables viz. red amaranth and spinach and enhancement of soil fertility.

Methodology:

A field experiment was conducted at the research farm of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMRAU), Gazipur, Bangladesh during December 2009 to March 2010 using two short duration and popular leafy vegetables red amaranth (BARI lal shak-1) and spinach (SHATHI) in 11 treatments laid out in a randomized complete block design. The treatments were (1) absolute control; (2) recommended doses (RD) of N, P & K; (3) HW 5.0 t/ha; (4) HW 10.0 t/ha; (5) HW 20.0 t/ha; (6) PC 5.0 t/ha; (7) PC 10.0 t/ha; (8) PC 20.0 t/ha; (9) QC 5.0 t/ha; (10) QC 10.0 t/ha; and (11) QC 20.0 t/ha. Household wastes were collected and sorted from BSMRAU campus and biodegradable portions were composted in a pit for 4 months. Quick compost was prepared at the ratio of 1:2:4 of oil cake, rice husk and cowdung as per guidelines of BRAC, Bangladesh, while Palli compost was purchased from Rural Development Academy (RDA) Bogra. During final land preparation composts were applied to plots and before that the plot soil and composts were analyzed for N, P and K. Based on soil test results recommended doses of N, P and K were set at 68, 23 and 17 kg/ha, respectively for both red amaranth and spinach, while inorganic fertilizers were supplemented following integrated plant nutrition systems (IPNS). Recommended doses (RD) of N, P & K Half of urea and full amount of TSP and MP were applied and thoroughly mixed with soil three days prior to seed sowing. The remaining half of urea was applied in two splits first at 7 days and second at 15 days after sowing (DAS) as top dressing. The unit plot size was 2 m x 1 m. The seed rates were 3.0 and 25.0 kg/ha for red amaranth and spinach, respectively. Intercultural operations were done when needed. Crops were harvested after 30 days of seed sowing. After first harvesting, the seeds of second crops of same vegetables were sown in the same plots where no fertilizer either organic or inorganic was applied. Yield data of red amaranth and spinach were recorded at harvest (30 DAS). Soil samples at harvest of first and residual cropping were taken from each treatment under both red amaranth and spinach experiments. Samples were analyzed for N using Kjeldhal systems, while P and K were determined by the Acid Digestion method. Soil pH and OM were determined by Glass Electrode method and Walkley-Black method, respectively. SPSS version 12.0 statistical software was used to analyze the data. One-way-ANOVA and Univariate analysis were performed. Means were separated by LSD.

Source of Information: J. Environ. Sci. & Natural Resources, 7(2): 1-6, 2014; ISSN 1999-7361

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Yield data revealed that combined application of organic and inorganic fertilizers were significantly better than the solitary application of inorganic fertilizers. The fresh yield of red amaranth in the second harvest where no fertilizers were used recorded 13 t ha^-1, which appeared significantly higher over the first harvest (10 t ha^-1) and there was no significant difference between the yields of first and second harvest of spinach (18 t ha^-1). Different composts increased OM, N, P and K contents, which indicated the fertility improvement of soil. The performance of composts at the rate of 20 t ha^-1 in producing yields of vegetables was insignificantly different with the rates of 5-10 t ha^-1. Among the different composts, household waste is available in the rural areas and its preparation is easy with minimum costs. Therefore, considering the availability and costing, household waste compost at the rate of 5-10 t ha^-1is recommended as a soil amendment for improving soil fertility and crop productivity.

Knowledge Management: Journal