Influence of integrated nutrient management on forms of soil acidity, aluminum and iron on turmeric cultivation in acid alfisol
Abstract
Soil acidity has detrimental effects on growth of turmeric. High aluminum (Al) and iron (Fe) concentrations represent a reduction in growth and yield of crops like turmeric in acidic soils. Field experiments were conducted on turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) crop variety T-12 on silty clay loam soil with eleven treatments. The results revealed that FYM application @ 20 t ha–1 both as soil incorporation and mulch significantly reduced exchangeable acidity from 0.27 c mol kg-1 in control to values 0.17 and 0.18 c mol kg-1, respectively. Application of 10 t, 15 t and 20 t FYM/ha significantly decreased exchangeable, extractable, amorphous, crystalline and total Al in comparison to 100 % NPKS. The extent of reduction was highest in 100% NPKS + 20t FYM ha–1 as soil incorporation and decrease in exchangeable, extractable, amorphous, crystalline and total Al was 18, 21, 12, 9 and 0.9% over 100% NPKS alone. Similarly, the highest reduction in all these forms of Fe viz. exchangeable, extractable, amorphous, crystalline and total iron was recorded in 100% NPKS + 20 t FYM/ha as soil incorporation over control and the decrease was 27, 23, 8, 3 and 0.4% respectively.