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Synchronization of Different Aged Compost to Crop Demand, Nutrient Release and Their Contribution to the Production of Spinach (2019–2020)

A.T.M.A.I. Mondol
Soil Science Division, BARI, Joydebpur, Gazipur, Bangladesh

M. K. Alam
Soil Science Division, BARI, Joydebpur, Gazipur, Bangladesh

M.J. Alam
Soil Science Division, BARI, Joydebpur, Gazipur, Bangladesh

S. Akhter
Soil Science Division, BARI, Joydebpur, Gazipur, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

This study was conducted at the research field of Soil Science Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Gazipurunder AEZ-28during the rabi season of 2019-2020 to understand the release of nutrients for crops and their contribution to growth and yield. Spinach cv. BARI Palongshak-2 was used for this experiment. Four different organic amendments of different ages were studied in comparison with only chemical fertilizer application. The amendment treatments were T₁: 30 days aged compost, T₂: 45 days aged compost, T₃: 60 days aged compost, T₄: 75 days aged compost. The experiment is laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD), where each treatment was replicated thrice. Data on growth and yield attributes of spinach were collected during the crop growing season and after harvesting. Necessary soil data were also collected periodically to determine available nitrogen (N) status as well as the microbial-respiration of soil during the experimental period. Yield and its component of spinach were significantly affected by the different aged compost. The organic amended performed in the sequence: 45 DOC>60 DOC>30 DOC>75 DOC. The increases of yield in 45 DOC, 60 DOC, 30 DOC and 75 DOC were 78.3, 67.9, 57.5 and 20.7 % higher than the yield obtained with only chemical fertilizer. A significant increase in yield, fresh weight plant^-1plant height and number of leaves plant^-1of spinach was obtained with organic amended treatments relative to only chemical fertilizer application. The hetero-tropic respiration (CO₂ emission) was found higher in soils under 30 DOC which might be due to the rapid decomposition of the semi-composted materials applied in the treatments. But, the available N recorded in 45 DOC treatment was more synchronized with the crop demand which resulted in increased yield of spinach in the same treatment. Overall, compost of 45 days old was found to be the best-aged compost to apply for obtaining the best yield of crops like spinach. However, no discreet conclusion can be drawn unless the research continues for few more years. Microbial respiration was assessed by measuring CO₂ evolution from the soil in spinach field during rabi season by trapping emitted CO₂ in NaOH (Anderson, 1982). All assays were performed in triplicate. The trapped CO₂ was measured by adding 15 mL of 10% w/v BaCl₂ to the NaOH to precipitate BaCO₃. The remaining NaOH was then back titrated against 1M HCI to the phenolphthalein to neutralize NaOH. Finally, more HCI was added to the methyl orange to dissolve BaCO₃. All the relevant data were statistically analyzed by using an excel spreadsheet and Statistix10^TM package.

Keywords: Soil health, Growth, Chemical fertilizers, Yield, Spinach, Organic fertilizer

Location: Soil Science Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Joydebpur, Gazipur, Bangladesh

Start Date: 00-00-2019

End Date: 00-00-2020

Program Area: Crop-Soil-Water Management

Commodity: Organic fertilizer, Spinach

Objectives:

This study was undertaken to fulfill the following objectives: i. To determine the nutrient releasing trend of compost of different ages; ii. To synchronize the optimum age of compost for the maximum benefit of the crop at its peak demand; iii. To observe the changes in soil physical, chemical and biological properties.

Methodology:

A field experiment was conducted at Central Research Farm, BARI, Gazipur under AEZ- 28 during 2019-2020. There were five treatments i.e. T₁: 30 days aged compost, T₂: 45 days aged compost, T₃: 60 days aged compost, T₄: 75 days aged compost and T₅: control. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 3 replications of each treatment. The unit plot size was 3m x 2m and the variety used in the experiment was BARI Palongshak-2. The spacing was 30 cm × 20 cm. The STB nutrient dose estimated as N-P-K-S-Zn of 140-40-60-13-3 kg ha^-1 (FRG, 2018). Conventional compost (rice straw, water hyacinth and cowdung) @ 15 tons ha^-1 will be applied during final land preparation the rest of the nutrient demand was supplied from chemical fertilizer following IPNS approach. All PSZn and ¹/₂ K were incorporated into the soil before sowing. The rest K and N were top-dressed in two equal splits at 15 and 30 days after transplanting. The experimental soil was clay loam, slightly acidic in nature (pH 6.0) with very low organic matter content (0.60%). Seeds were sown on 16 December 2019. Soil samples were collected from 0-15 cm soil depth from each plot and analyzed in the laboratory following standard methods. Soil samples for moisture content determination were collected from each plot, from sowing to harvesting of spinach according to treatments. All intercultural operations were done as and when necessary to raise a healthy crop. Harvesting was done when the plant attained the proper size. The harvesting of spinach was started on 01 February 2020. After the collection of data, it was tabulated in proper form and subjected to statistical analysis with the help of a computer package tested with DMRT. Microbial respiration was assessed by measuring CO₂ evolution from the soil in the spinach field during rabi season by trapping emitted CO₂ in NaOH (Anderson, 1982). All assays were performed in triplicate. The trapped CO₂ was measured by adding 15 mL of 10% w/v BaCl₂ to the NaOH to precipitate BaCO₃. The remaining NaOH was then back titrated against 1M HCI to the phenolphthalein to neutralize NaOH. Finally, more HCI was added to the methyl orange to dissolve BaCO₃. All the relevant data were statistically analyzed by using an excel spreadsheet and Statistix10^TM package.

Source of Information: Annual Research Report 2019–2020, Soil Science Division, BARI, Joydebpur, Gazipur, Bangladesh

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The growth and yield of spinach fertilized with different aged compost were as good as those receiving chemical fertilizers, indicating that they can be an alternative to chemical fertilization. These organic fertilizers could be recommended for spinach production under protected structures without affecting plant growth and yield. The nutritional status of the plants demonstrated that the nutrients were adequate and met the requirements for plant growth and curd development among the different aged compost 45 days aged compost performed better. However, the effects of compost on plant growth and yield might vary depending on the degree of mineralization of the organic matter. Further experimentation needs to reach a concrete conclusion.

Knowledge Management: Report/Proceedings