Effects of farmyard manure on soil organic carbon stock, the pattern of fertility build-up, and plant growth in 'Mallika' mango (Mangifera indica L.).
Saha R., Nath V., Kumar D.
Author Affiliation: Central Horticultural Experiment Station, Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Aiginia, Bhubaneswar, Orissa 751 019, India.
Journal of Horticultural Science and Biotechnology 85 : 539-543
Abstract : A field experiment was conducted on mango (Mangifera indica L.) to study the effects of farmyard manure (FYM) on soil organic carbon (SOC) content and on the build-up of fertility over three growing seasons (2006-2007, 2007-2008, and 2008-2009) at Bhubaneswar, Orissa, India. Five treatments, including the application of FYM at 5.0 kg plant-1, 7.5 kg plant-1, or 10.0 kg plant-1, the recommended dose of a chemical fertiliser (RDF; N:P:K=75:20:60), and a non-fertilised control, were evaluated in a randomised block design. The results indicated that SOC contents increased significantly in the FYM-treated plots. The highest SOC density (554 g m-2) and stock (5.55 Mg ha-1) were recorded in the treatment with FYM at 10.0 kg plant-1. The rate of increase in SOC density was highest (193 g m-2 year-1) with FYM at 10.0 kg plant-1, and lowest in the untreated control (15 g m-2 year-1). Regular addition of FYM had a positive effect on the build-up of soil fertility. However, the greatest increases in soil N, P, K contents were in the 7.5 kg plant-1 FYM treatment (means=319.9, 19.1, and 270.8 kg ha-1 for N, P, K, respectively). Farmyard manure significantly influenced the growth parameters of mango trees over the three seasons. There was a positive and linear relationship between increasing rates of application of FYM and trunk cross-sectional area.