Effect of organic cultivation of papaya on yield, economics and soil nutrient status*

Abstract

An experiment was carried out during 2006-07 to 2007-08 at Horticulture Department, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad to study the influence of organic manures on fruit yield and their effect on nutrient status of the soil after crop harvest in papaya cv. Surya. The study revealed that application of FYM equivalent to 100% recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) (154.3 t/ha) gave significantly higher fruit yield of 173.9 t/ha as compared to control with RDF and other organic manure treatments except agrigold equivalent to 100% RDN (33.32 t/ha) and vermicompost, sheep manure and bhumilabha in combination with FYM treatments each equivalent to 50% RDN. Higher gross and net returns were recorded with the application of FYM equivalent to 100% RDN and benefit:cost (B:C)ratio was maximum with pressmud equivalent to 100% RDN. Analysis of the soil after harvest of papaya crop did not show any significant difference on organic carbon, DTPA-extractable Cu and Mn content among the treatments. Available major nutrients (NPK) were significantly higher with the application of FYM equivalent to 100% RDN and DTPA extractable Zn and Fe in combination with FYM and vermicompost each equivalent to 50% RDN as compared to control comprising chemical fertilizer as RDF.