Effect of organic and inorganic nutrition in cashew

Abstract

A study was conducted to find the effect of integration of different nutrient sources viz., organic, inorganic and biofertilizers on cashew yield and soil. The cashew yield in different nutrition treatments to meet 100% N requirement of cashew were on par (1.1 to 1.2 tonnes/ha/year) and was lowest (0.88 t/ha/year) in control without manure. An increase in yield over the years was observed in treatments T₉ (50% N through recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) and remaining through poultry manure) followed by T₄ (biofertilizer Azetobacter with 100% N through organically recyclable biomass compost (ORBC)) and T₈ (25% N through RDF and remaining through poultry manure) respectively. The higher nut weight of 10.12 g was observed in treatment T₈ and was low in control (8.9 g). After manure application, the N content (296.8 kg/ha) of the soil was more in treatment T₅ with 25% N through RDF and remaining through ORBC. The available P₂O₅ content was more in treatment T₈ (59.0 kg/ha) and available K₂O content was on par in many treatments. The nutrient content of the soil was less in control treatment (N – 98.3 kg/ha, P₂O₅ – 33.9 kg/ha and K₂O – 85.7 kg/ha). The net profit was worked out and the yield trend over the years showed that treatments T₉ with 50% N through RDF and remaining through poultry manure is more suitable for cashew garden. The study also revealed that sustainable yield and profit can be achieved by the application of different fertilizers and manures or their combinations to meet 100% N requirement of cashew.