Influence of Organic Manures and Fertilizers on Nutrient Uptake, Yield and Quality in Cabbage-Baby Corn Cropping Sequence

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted at Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India, during rabi and kharif seasons of 2010 and 2011 to study direct, cumulative, or residual effect of organic manures (Farmyard Manure, Vermicompost, Poultry Manure, Neem Cake, and combinations thereof) along with the recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) and absolute Control, on nutrient uptake, yield and quality in cabbage-baby corn cropping sequence system. Results showed that application of recommended dose of fertilizers [N, P and K (100:50:50 kg ha^-1)] recorded highest yield in cabbage (38.91t ha^-1), which was comparable to combined application (2.89t ha^-1) of poultry manure and neem cake (37.9t ha^-1). In baby corn, maximum yield (6.12t ha^-1) was recorded with recommended dose of fertilizers, followed by the combined use of poultry manure and neem cake (5.80t ha^-1). Among various treatments, residual effect and combined application of poultry manure and neem cake to a preceding cabbage crop, recorded maximum yield in baby corn (4.71t ha^-1) over other treatments. Similar trend was seen in nutrient uptake by cabbage and baby corn (cumulative and residual). Highest protein and ascorbic acid content in cabbage, residual and cumulative baby corn was recorded with application of poultry manure + neem cake (2.89t ha^-1), and poultry manure + FYM (6.11t ha^-1) respectively.