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Effect of Npk and Boron Fertilizers on the Yield and Quality of Bitter Gourd Seeds

M H Reza
Agricultural Research Station, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Burirhat, Rangpur-5400, Bangladesh

M F Mondal
Department of Horticulture, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh.

M M Islam
Agricultural Research Station, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Burirhat, Rangpur-5400, Bangladesh

S M Iqbal
Wheat Research Centre, Noshipur, Dinajpur, Bangladesh.

M A I Sarker
Agricultural Research Station, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Burirhat, Rangpur-5400, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The experiments were conducted to study the response of bitter gourd cv. Gaj Karola seed production to different levels of N P K and B in the Tista Meander Flood Plain Soils of Rangpur in two consecutive years (2004 and 2005). The response of bitter gourd seed production to N P K and B were significant. The results were consistent in both the years. The economically profitable seed yield (275.78 kg/ha in 2004 and 278.47 kg/ha in 2005) were produced by the combined application of 70 kg N, 30 kg P, 50 kg K and 0.40 kg B plus 20 kg S, 5 kg Zn, 15 t of cowdung per hectare with the highest benefit cost ratio (1.73) and gross margin of Tk 58405 per hectare.

Keywords: Fertilizers, Yield, Quality seed , Bitter gourd

Location: Agricultural Research Station, Burirhat Farm, Rangpur

Start Date: 00-03-2004

End Date: 00-06-2005

Program Area: Crop-Soil-Water Management

Commodity: Bitter gourd

Objectives:

To find out the optimum doses of N, P, K and B fertilizers for the yield and quality seed production of bitter gourd in the Tista Meander Flood Plain Soils of Rangpur (AEZ- 3).

Methodology:

The experiment was conducted in the Tista Meander Flood Plain Soils (AEZ-3) of the Agricultural Research Station, Burirhat Farm, Rangpur in consecutive two years during the period from March 2004 to June 2005. The soil was sandy loam with 6.0 pH and 1.5 organic matter. The initial soil samples collected from depth of 0-30 cm. The experiment was laid out m randomized complete block design with three replications. There were fourteen treatments combination comprising of four levels of N (0, 15, 30 and 105 kg/ha from urea), four levels of P (0, 15, 30 and 45 kg/ha from triple superphosphate), four levels of K (0, 25, 50 and 75 kg/ha from muriate of potash) and four levels of B (0, 0.40, 0.80 and 1.2 kg/ha from boric acid). A blanket dose of 15 t/ha of cowdung, 20 kg/ha of sulphur in the form of gypsum and 5 kg/ha of Zn in the form of zinc oxide was applied to each plot. The total amount of cowdung, TSP, gypsum, zinc oxide, boric acid and 50% of urea and MP were mixed with the soil during pit preparation. The 2/3rd of rest urea and 1/2 of rest MP were applied as 1st top dressing 30 days after seedling transplanting. Further, rest 1/3rd urea and 1/2 MP were applied as 2nd top dressing 60 days after seedling transplanting. The seeds of bitter gourd were sown in polybag on 6th of March, 2004 and 2005. The seeds were soaked in water 24 hours before sowing for quick germination. Fourteen day old seedlings were transplanted to the main field. The size of each plot was 5 m x 2 m and the seedlings were transplanted at the spacing of 1.8 m x 1.0 m. Necessary cultural management practices such as gap filling, weeding, mulching, irrigation and pest management were done as and when needed. Five plants were randomly selected from each plot for data recording on different growth, yield and quality parameters. From each plot 100 seeds were taken for germination and vigour test. The recorded data were analyzed statistically and the differences between means were evaluated by Duncan's Multiple Range Test (DMRT). Local market price was used to compute the cost and return analysis. Gross return is the yield multiplied by product price. Total variable cost is the quantity of input multiplied by input price. Gross margin is the difference between gross return and total variable cost. Benefit cost ratio consists of the ratio of gross return and total variable cost.

Source of Information: BANGLADESH JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURE AND ENVIRONMENT, Vol-5 (1), pp. 41-47, June 2009, ISSN-1816-0808.

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The benefit cost ratio was found to be the highest (1.73) in the treatment T₁₂ (70 kg N + 30 kg P + 50 kg K + 0.40 kg B/ha). Here the highest gross margin (Tk 58405) showed the highest BCR. The lowest BCR was observed (1.04) from the treatment T₁ (0 kg N + 30 kg P + 50 kg K + 0.80 kg B/ha). From the economic point of view, T₁₂ (70 kg N + 30 kg P + 50 kg K + 0.40 kg B/ha along with cowdung 15 ton, sulphur 20 kg and zinc 5 kg/ha) treatment was found to be the most suitable combination of NPKB fertilizers for bitter gourd seed production.

Knowledge Management: Journal