Vermicompost Dosage Effects on Physical and Physico-Chemical Properties of Non-GM Cotton in Vidarbha's Rainfed Farms
C. Mounika *
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi-110012, India.
P. R. Kadu
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi-110012, India.
N. M. Konde
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Dr. P.D.K.V, Akola, India.
P. Nagaseshi Reddy
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Dr. Rajendhra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Bihar-848125, Pusa, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The experiment, conducted at COART, Akola during Kharif 2021-22, evaluated the impact of various vermicompost doses on physical and physico-chemical properties of Non-GM cotton cultivars in rainfed agriculture. Employing an FRBD with eight treatments replicated thrice, the study revealed that the application of 60 kg N ha-1 through vermicompost (T4) led to the most significant improvements: reduced soil bulk density (1.24 Mg m-3), increased water holding capacity (58.22%), and elevated organic carbon content (5.67 g kg-1). The Hirsutum cultivar, Chetna J1, displayed the best results. Conversely, the lowest pH (7.57) and EC (0.25 ds m-1) were observed in treatment T2, where 60 kg N ha-1 was supplied through vermicompost to the Arboreum cultivar, AVC 14.
Keywords: Vermicompost, organic cotton, rainfed agricultural system