Vol. 12, Issue 2 (2023)

Author(s):
P Leela Janaki, Dr. G Ramanandam, Dr. B Prasanna Kumar and Dr. K Sasikala

Abstract:
A field experiment was carried out to study the influence of INM treatments on soil and leaf nutrient status of cocoa at existing coconut gardens under alluvial soil conditions of coastal Andhra Pradesh during 2016 and 2017. The experiment was laid out with different combinations of organic, inorganic and biofertilizers. The yield parameters, soil nutrients and leaf nutrient status were analyzed before and after application of INM treatments.The result with respect to yield characters like number of healthy pods (55.84), weight of the pod (485.26 g), husk weight (349.68 g), wet bean weight per pod (135.58 g), dry bean weight per pod (66.60 g), single bean weight (1.57 g) and total dry bean yield per tree (3.57 kg) were recorded highest in 75% RDF + 25% RDN through composted coir pith+ 50 g Azospirillum + 50 g PSB treated trees. Among the soil nutrient uptake studies, the highest content of macro (N (413.95 kg/ha), P (16.67 kg/ha), K (303.30 kg/ha)) and micro (Cu (6.02 mg/kg), Zn (1.89 mg/kg), Fe (6.56 mg/kg) and Mn (18.99 mg/kg)) nutrients were recorded in 75% RDF + 25% RDN through FYM. The highest leaf nutrients were recorded in the plants treated with 75% RDF + 25% RDN through composted coir pith+ 50 g Azospirillum + 50 g PSB at 60, 120, 180 and 240 days after fertilizer application. The above results indicated that application of 75% RDF + 25% RDN through composted coir pith + 50 g Azospirillum + 50 g PSB in black alluvial soils of coastal Andhra Pradesh had promoted both yield and leaf nutrient status of cocoa.