INTEGRATED NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT IN BITTER GOURD (Momordica charantia L.) cv. PRACHI A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE ORISSA UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE AND TECHNOLOGY BHUBANESWAR IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN AGRICULTURE (VEGETABLE SCIENCE) BY VANGAPANDU THRIVENI DEPARTMENT OF VEGETABLE SCIENCE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE ORISSA UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE AND TECHNOLOGY BHUBANESWAR-751003, ODISHA 2014 THESIS ADVISOR: Dr. H. N. MISHRA
72
Embed
INTEGRATED NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT IN BITTER ......CERTIFICATE –CERTIFICATE ––– IIIIIIII This is to certify that the thesis entitled “INTEGRATED NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT IN BITTER
This document is posted to help you gain knowledge. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about it! Share it to your friends and learn new things together.
Transcript
INTEGRATED NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT IN BITTER GOURD (Momordica charantia L.)
cv. PRACHI A
THESIS SUBMITTED TO
THE ORISSA UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE AND TECHNOLOGY BHUBANESWAR
IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE
DEGREE OF
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN AGRICULTURE (VEGETABLE SCIENCE)
BY
VANGAPANDU THRIVENI
DEPARTMENT OF VEGETABLE SCIENCE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE
ORISSA UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE AND TECHNOLOGY BHUBANESWAR-751003, ODISHA
2014
THESIS ADVISOR: Dr. H. N. MISHRA
DEPARTMENT OF VEGETABLE SCIENCE
COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE Orissa University of Agriculture &Technology
Bhubaneswar751003, Odisha
Dr. H. N. Mishra
Professor and Head
Department of Vegetable Science
OUAT, Bhubaneswar–751003, Odisha Date
CERTIFICATE - I
This is to certify that the thesis entitled “ INTEGRATED NUTRIENT
MANAGEMENT IN BITTER GOURD (Momordica charantia L.) cv. PRACHI”
submitted by VANGAPANDU THRIVENI, Adm. No.01VSc/12 to the Orissa
University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar in partial fulfilment
of the requirements for the award of the degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE
IN AGRICULTURE (VEGETABLE SCIENCE) is a faithful record of
bona fide research work under my guidance and supervision. No part of this
thesis has been submitted for any other degree or diploma or published in any
other form.
The assistance and help received during the course of investigation have
Title of the thesis : INTEGRATED NUTRIENT MAN AGEMENT IN BITTER GOURD (Momordica charantia L.) cv. PRACHI
Name of the student : VANGAPANDU THRIVENI Admission No. : 01VSC/12 Name of the Advisor : DR. H. N. MISHRA Professor and Head Degree for which thesis is submitted : M.Sc. (Ag) Vegetable Science Year of submission : 2014 Name of the Department : Department of Vegetable Science, College of Agriculture, Orissa University of Agriculture & Technology, Bhubaneswar – 751003
ABSTRACT
Field experiment was conducted during kharif 2013 to study the “Influence of Integrated Nutrient Management on Bitter gourd crop cv. Prachi on its growth, yield, quality, nutrient uptake and recovery. The soil of the experimental site was sandy in texture near neutral reaction, low in available N and K but high in available P. The test crop received 10 different treatment combinations of inorganic, organic and bio fertilizers viz. 50%NPK(T2), 50%NPK+VC (vermicompost)(T3), 50%NPK+ VC+BF (Biofertilizers) (T4),75%NPK (T5), 75%NPK + VC(T6),75%NPK +VC+BF(T7),100% NPK(T8),100%NPK+ VC(T9),100% NPK+ VC+BF(T10) along with absolute control(T1).The biometric observations recorded were vine length, days taken for first male and female flowering, chlorophyll content, leaf area, fruit length, girth, unit fruit weight number of fruits/plot and yield per hectare. Application of recommended dose (150:50:100:50:10:15 kg of NPK and S, Zn, Bo per hectare inorganics with VC @2.5 t ha-1 and BFs (Azotobacter, Azospirillum and PSB @ 4kg ha-1) (T10) recorded maximum vine length(533cm),number of branches per vine, least number of days taken for male (39.6 days)flower as well as female flower anthesis (44.0 days) and female flower appeared at earliest node (24th internode).The same treatment recorded maximum number of fruits per plant(40nos),fruit length(17.6cm),girth (13.4cm), unit fruit weight(86.4g),fruit yield(4036kg ha-1), ascorbic acid(111.1mg/100g),TSS(2.0ᵒ Brix),protein content (1.76%).Significantly higher amount of N(46.7%) with recovery of 21.3%,P uptake of 9.0 kg ha-1 with recovery of 20.1 %,K uptake of (74.1 kg ha-1) with recovery of 34 percent, and uptake of 4.3kg ha-1 with a recovery of per cent were recorded with recommended dose of inorganics with vermicompost and biofertilizers (Azotobacter, Azospirillum and PSB @1:1:1 ratio). The results indicated for soil test based recommended dose of inorganic nutrients with correction of soil deficient’s with integrated use of organics as vermicompost and biofertilizers like Aztobacter, Azospirillum and PSB in 1:1:1 each applied @4 kg ha-1 inoculated to prelimed vermicompost in 1:25 ratio incubated for 7 days at 30% moisture is the best recommended practices for getting optimum yield with higher nutrient recovery for bitter gourd crop.
CD (p=0.05) Critical difference at five per cent probability
cm centimetre
cm2 Squre centimetre
CV Coefficient of variance
DAS Days after sowing
et al. And others
Fig Figure
g gram
ha-1 per hectare
K Potassium
Kg Kilogram
Lit Litre
mg Milligram
N Nitrogen
NPK N-P2O5-K2O
P Phosphorous
PSB Phosphorous solublizing bacteria
PSM Phosphorous solublizing micro-organisms
RH Relative humidity
RDF Recommended dose of fertilizers
S Sulphur
VC Vermicompost
CONTENTS
CHAPTER PARTICULAR PAGE
1. INTRODUCTION 1-5
2. REVIEW OF LITERATURE 6-28
3. MATERIALS AND METHODS 29-46
4. EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS 47-79
5. DISCUSSION 80-82
6. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION 84-87
BIBLIOGRAPHY i-viii
LIST OF TABLES
TABLE TITLE PAGE
3.1 Meteorological data during crop growing season 30
3.2 Cropping History of the Experimental plot 30
3.3(a) Mechanical composition of the soil 32
3.3(b) Chemical compostion of soil 32
3.4 Details of Experimental Treatments 34
3.5 Detailed layout of the field 34
3.6 Schedule for field preparation and planting operation 40
3.7 Methods utilized for nutrient analysis 45
4.1 Vine length and number of branches per vine in bitter gourd as influenced by INM practices
48
4.2 Total chlorophyll content(SPAD value) in bittergourd at different growth stages as influenced by INM practices
51
4.3 Leaf Area(cm2) in bitter gourd at different growth stages as influenced by INM practices
52
4.4 Appearance of first male flower, first female flowers and node on which first female flower appeared in bitter gourd under the influence of INM practices
54
4.5 Different fruit parameters of bitter gourd under the influence of INM practices
58
4.6 Total dry matter production(kgha-1) of bitter gourd under the influence of grade doses of inorganic nutrients integrated with vermicompost and biofertilizers
64
4.7 Concentration and Uptake of Nitrogen in bitter gourd under the influence of INM practices
65
4.8 Concentration and Uptake of Phosphorous (kg ha‾¹) in the bitter gourd as influenced by INM practices
67
4.9 Concentration and Uptake of Potassium (kg ha-1) in the bitter gourd as influenced by INM practices
69
4.10 Concentration and Uptake of Calcium (kg ha-1) in the bitter gourd as influenced by INM practices
71
4.11 Uptake of Mg (kg ha-1) in the bitter gourd as influenced by INM practices
72
4.12 Concentration and Uptake of Sulphur (kg ha-1) in the bitter gourd as influenced by INM practices
74
4.13 Ascorbic acid content, protein content and TSS of bitter gourd under the influence of the INM practices
76
4.14 Post harvest soil properties as influenced by integrated nutrient management in bitter gourd
79
LIST OF FIGURESLIST OF FIGURESLIST OF FIGURESLIST OF FIGURES
FIGURE TITLE PAGE 3.1(a) Meteriological data showing average temperature along with RH
and Mean sun shine hours 31
3.1(b) Meteriological data showing average rain fall, no of rainy days and wind velocity
31
3.2 Plan of layout of experimental field 35 3.3 Overview of the Experimental field at different growth stages of
bitter gourd crop 36
3.4 Application of fertilizers, vermicompost and Biofertilizers as per the treatments followed by earthing up
38
4.1(a) Vine length(cm) of bitter gourd as influenced by inorganic nutrients integrated with organic manure(VC) and Biofertlizers
49
4.1b Influence of INM practices on growth of bitter gourd plant 50 4.2 Number of branches/vine of bitter gourd as influenced by
inorganic nutrients integrated with organic manure(VC) and Biofertilizers
49
4.3 Leaf chlorophyll content (SPAD value) of bitter gourd as influenced by inorganic nutrients integrated with organic manure(VC) and Biofertilizers
53
4.4 Leaf Area (cm2) of bitter gourd as influenced by INM practices 53 4.5 Appearance of first mal flower in bitter gourd under the
influence of INM practices 55
4.6 Appearance of first female flower in bitter gourd under the influence of INM practices
55
4.7 Appearance of first male and female flowers in bitter gourd under the influence of INM practices
56
4.8 Node on which first female flower appeared in bitter gourd under the influence of INM practice.
56
4.9 Number of fruits per plant in bitter gourd as influenced by inorganic nutrients integrated with organic manure(VC) and Biofertilizers
59
4.10 Fruit length(cm) of bitter gourd under the influence of INM practices
59
4.10a Influence of INM practices on fruit size in bitter gourd 60 4.11 Fruit girth (cm) of bitter gourd under the influence of INM
practices 61
4.12 Unit fruit weight(g) of bitter gourd under the influence of INM practices
61
4.13 Fruit yield of bitter gourd (kg ha-1) under the influence of INM practices
62
4.14 The RAE(%) of bitter gourd fruit in different treatments under the influence of INM practices
62
FIGURE TITLE PAGE 4.15 Dry matter production of bitter gourd under the influence of
INM practices 64
4.16 Nitrogen uptake by bitter gourd under the influence of INM practices
66
4.17 Apparent Nitrogen recovery (%) of bitter gourd as influenced by INM practices
66
4.18 Uptake of Phosphorous (kg ha-1) in bitter gourd as influenced by INM practices
68
4.19 Apparent phosphorous recovery (%) of bitter gourd as influenced by INM practices
68
4.20 Uptake of potassium(kg ha-1) in bitter gourd as influenced by INM practices
70
4.21 Apparent potasium recovery(%) of bitter gourd as under the influence of INM practices
70
4.22 Concentration and Uptake of Calcium(kg ha-1) in bitter gourd as influenced by INM practices
73
4.23 Concentration and Uptake of Magnesium (kg ha-1) in bitter gourd as influenced by INM practices
73
4.24 Concentration and Uptake of Sulphur (kg ha-1) in bitter gourd as influenced by INM practices
75
4.25 Apparent sulphur recovery (%) of bitter gourd under the influence of INM practices
75
4.26 Ascorbic acid content (mg/100g edible portion) under the influence of the INM practices
77
4.27 Protein content (%) of Bitter gourd under the influence of the INM practices
77
4.28 TSS (⁰Brix) of bitter gourd under the influence of the INM practices
77
1
INTRODUCTION
Vegetables are important source of protective foods and also play an
important role in human balanced diet. These are rich source of vitamins, proteins,
carbohydrates and minerals. Vegetables make up a significant proportion of the diet
of most of the people and the production of vegetables is a significant factor in
ensuring that people have an adequate intake of many essential vitamins, minerals and
carbohydrates every day. The per capita vegetable consumption of India is only
135g/day compared to minimum requirement of 280g/day. According to National
Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, the daily requirement of vegetables per day is 280g
and the World Health Organization recommends daily consumption of 400g of
vegetables. According to this recommendation, per capita vegetable requirement
works out to be 146 kg per year. At present, India occupies an area of about 9,205M
ha with an annual production of162,187 million tonnes(Indian Horticulture Data base-
2013).At present, productivity of vegetables is 17.6 MT/ha, which is 2.1MT/ha lower
than the world average productivity. India is positioning second place among the
vegetable producing countries of the world after China. In India, Odisha state
occupies 7.5% area and 5.8% production.
Cucurbit vegetables are fair source of thiamine and riboflavin. Bitter gourd
(Momordica charantia Linn.) is the leading member of the cucurbit family with
somatic chromosome number 2n=2X=22.It is an important vegetable in south Indian
states and is grown for its immature tuberculate fruits which have unique bitter taste.
It is known by different names such has Balsam pear or bitter cucumber in English,
Karela in Hindi, Gujarat and Punjabi, Karla in Marathi, Beet karela in Assamese,
Kakara kaya in Telugu, Pavakai in Tamil, Hagalakayi in Kanada, Pavakka in
Malayalamand Kalara in Odia. It’s Indo-Burma centre of origin has been reported by
Garrison (1977).A well drained, loamy soil with a pH of 6.5-7.0 is ideal for its
2
cultivation. The plant is adapted to a wide variation of climates although production is
best in hot areas (Binder et.al., 1989). A long period of warm, dry weather with 30˚-
35˚C temperature is optimum for vegetative and reproductive growth. Plants are very
sensitive to frost.
It is a monoecious annual climber with duration of 100-120 days. Leaves are
palmately 5-9 lobed. Flowers are axiliary with long pedicel and are yellow in colour.
Stamens are 5 in number with free filaments and united anthers. Stigma is bilobed.
Fruits are pendulous, fusiform, ribbed with numerous tubercles. Anthesis is from 4.00
am to 7.00 pm.
Tender fruits are used as cooked vegetable or pickled. The fruit accumulates
bitterness with time due to build up of three pentacyclic triterpenes momordicin,
momordicinin and momordicilin, and then loses the bitterness during ripening
(Begum et al., 1997; Cantwell et al., 1996). Tender shoots and leaves are consumed
as green vegetable after parboiling to leach out the bitter alkaloid. Fruits are
considered as a rich source of vitamins and minerals and it is rich in vitamin C (88
Recommended dose of fertilizer(RDF): N-P₂O₅-K₂O-SO₄-Borax-ZnSO₄
(150:50:100:50:10:25) kg ha‾¹, supplied through Navrathna (20-20-0-13), Urea,
Murate of potash, borax and commercial ZnSO₄, respectively.
3.6.1.3 Detailsof Layout
Thirty (30) plots of 5.5sqm each were prepared for the experiment.The
treatments were distributed using random table.
Table 3.5 Detailed layout of the field:
Sl.No. Design of layout Randomized Block Design (RBD) 2 Number of treatments 10 3 Number of replications 3 4 Plot size 2.2 x 2.5 m (5.5m²) 5 Planting distance 1m x50cm 6 No. of rows per plot 2(two) 7 No. of mounds per row 3(Three) 8 Total number of plots 30 9 Width of the bund separating the block 30cm
10 Length of the experimental field 60m
11 Width of the experimental field 60m 12 Area of the experimental field 180 m² 13 Variety F1 hybrid-Prachi 14 Cropping season
The study was conducted during Khareif season in 2013.
15 Sowing time 30.08.2013
35
2.2cm x 2.5cm
Fig 3.1 Plan of layout of experimental field
3.6. 2 Cultivation aspects
3.6.2.1 Field preparation
The experimental field was prepared by ploughing thrice during July second week,
leveled with wooden plank. The plots were prepared as per the layout plan
(Fig.3.1)with regular bunds and irrigation channels by manual labour and sowing of
seeds was done in the end of August.
R₁T₂
R₁T₃
R₂T₁₀
R₂T₉
R₃T₆
R₃T₅
R₁T₁
R₁T₄
R₂T₅
R₂T₆
R₃T₄
R₃T₂
Irrigation
R₁T₆
R₁T₅
irrig
atio
n
R₂T₇
R₂T₈
R₃T₁
R₁T₃
R₁T₇
R₁T₈
R₂T₃
R₂T₄
R₃T₁₀
R₃T₉
R₁T₁₀
R₁T₉
R₂T₂
R₂T₁
R₃T₇
R₃T₈
N
36
Fig .3.3 Overview of the Experimental field at different growth stages of bitter gourd crop
37
3.6.2.2 Source of planting material(seed):
The seeds of Bitter gourd cv. Prachi were collected from bejo sheetal seeds
Pvt. Ltd.Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh. Healthy, bold seeds were graded and sowing
was done after the land preparations of the main field on mounds prepared at 1m x
50cm spacing from row to row and plant to plant.
3.6.2.3 Seed treatment
The seeds of bitter gourd were soaked in water for 24hours before sowing
followed by treatment with Bavistin@1g/200g seeds to enhances uniform germination
and minimize pathogen attack in the field respectively.
3.6.2.4 Fertilizerrequirement
A) Manures
The organic manure vermicompost was obtained from the vermicompost unit
of Department of Soil Science, College of Agriculture, Orissa University of
Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar.
The recommended dose of vermicompost was applied @ 600 g/5.5m2in a plots
as per the treatmentspecifically selected at the time of sowing, 15days after planting
and 30 days after planting. Then it was calculated per hectare and expressed in tonnes
(2.5t ha-1).
B) Bio-fertilizers
The bio-inoculants namely Azotobacter, Azospirillum and Phosphate
Solubilizing bacteria in 1:1:1 ratio(4 kg each ha-1) were inoculated to 5% limed
Vermicompost in 1:25 ratio, incubated for 7 days at 30% moisture under shade,
applied in the rhizosphere on the day of sowing of seeds.
38
Fig.3.4 Application of fertilizers, vermicompost and biofertilizers as per the treatments followed by earthing up
39
C) Chemical fertilizers
The recommended dose of fertilizers for Bitter gourd was N, P₂O₅, K₂O and So₄
@ 150:50:100:50 Kg ha-1 applied in the form of Navrathna (19-19-0-13), Urea and
Muriate of Potash (MOP).The total amount of P₂O₅ and one fourth (1/4) amount N as well
as half (1/2) amount of K₂O were applied as basal application. Half of remaining N (out of
¾ total) of nitrogen and rest part of K₂O (1/2) were applied as a first top dressing at 15 days
after sowing. The remaining N was applied as second top dressing at 30 days after sowing.
3.6.2.5Irrigation
First irrigation was applied immediately after sowing of the seeds by rose can.
The subsequent irrigations given every day with rose can till germination was
complete. There after irrigation continued at an interval of 4 days. Irrigation was also
done immediately followed chemical fertilizers. However, the frequency of irrigation
depended on soil moisture status and crop requirement.
3.6.2.6Intercultural operation
a) Hoeing, weeding and earthing up operations were carried out twice during
cropping period. First hoeing cum weeding was done manually after 15 days after
planting fallowed by top dressing, earthing up and irrigation. Second hoeing carried
out at after 30 days of sowing.
b) Training:
At initial growth stage i.e. at 15days after sowing the vines of bitter gourd
were supported with bamboo sticks and bamboo poles with spreaded wire for
supporting the plants after 20 day of sowing.
3.6.2.7 Plant protection measures
Chloropyriphos @ 2ml/liter of water was sprayed at initial
stage.Multineem@4ml/liter of water sprayed twice during the entire cropping period at an
interval of 15 days at flowering stage to control the aphids attack. Acephate @2ml/liter of
40
water was sprayed thrice as a spray at an interval of 15days at active growth stage against
Epilachna beetle. Trizophus @1ml/liter of water was sprayed against leaf eating
caterpillar at fruiting stage. Ridomil MZ-72 @1.5g/liter and sulfex @4g/liter were applied
as spray application to control the fungal disease powdery mildew after heavy rain fall.
3.6.2.8Harvesting
Bitter gourd fruits were harvested at tender stage after attaining optimum size
at 7days after flowering and subsequent harvesting done at 5 days interval. Harvesting
commenced 55 days after sowing and continued for 30 days till the crop attended the
growth 90 days after sowing.
3. 6 Schedule for field preparation and planting operation
Operations
Date( 2013) Remarks
Ploughing of the main field 16.08.2013 By manual Layout of experimental field 19.08.2013 By manual labour Preparation of plots as per the layout after leveling
19.08.2013
By manual labour
Application of Bleaching powder 20.08.2013 By manual labour
Application of vermicompost and bio-fertilizers as per treatment
30.08.2013 By manual labour
Sowing of seeds 30.08.2013 By manual labour Application of chemical fertilizers(Basal) 11.09.2013 By manual labour
First hoeing and weeding 11.09.2013 By manuallabour
Second hoeing and weeding 25.09.2013 By manuallabour First top dressing and earthing up 26.09.2013 By manual labour
Third hoeing 13.10.2013 By manual labour Second top dressing and earthing up 15.10.2013 By manual labour Harvesting schedule
First harvesting 26.10.2013 By manual labour Second harvesting 30.10.2013 By manual labour
Third harvesting 6.11.2013 By manual labour Fourth harvesting 11.11.2013 By manual labour
Fifth harvesting 17.11.2013 By manual labour Final harvesting 3.12.2013 By manual labour
41
3.7 BIOMETRIC OBSERVATIONS RECORDED
3.7.1 Method of Sampling
Six plants were selected from each plot to record the plant biometric
observations periodically. Different growth characters like vegetative growth,
flowering and yield attributing parameters of plants as influenced by different
treatment combinations were recorded.
3.7.2. Growth parameters
3.7.2.1 Vine length (cm)
The length of the vine was recorded from base of the plant up to tip and data
expressed in centimeter. The observations were recorded twice at 15 days after
germination and at the time of final harvesting.
3.7.2.2 Number of branches per plant
Total number of branches were recorded for each sample plant at the time of
final harvesting and expressed in number.
3.7.2.3 Leaf Chlorophyll content
The leaf chlorophyll content of each plant was recorded at 30, 40, 80,100 days
after planting and measured by SPAD meter. The total chlorophyll content was
expressed in SPAD value.
3.7.2.4 Leaf Area (cm2)
The total leaf area in each plant was recorded at 30, 40, 80,100 days after
planting and the active third leaf from top was taken to record this observation by
using Leaf area meter and expressed in centimeter square (cm2).
3.7.2.5 Appearance of first male flower
Appearance of first male flower in six randomly selected plants under each
treatment was recorded and the average was exhibited in days.
42
3.7.2.6 Appearance of first female flower
Appearance of first female flower randomly selected plants under each
treatment of each replication was noted and mean values were calculated and finally
expressed in days.
3.7.2.7 Node on which first female flower appear
The number of nodes from the base of plant up to initiation of flowering of six
randomly selected plants in each vine was counted and the average value expressed in
number.
3.8 Yield parameters
3.8.1 Number of fruits per plant
The number of fruits produced from each randomly selected plant under each
treatmentand replication were recorded and mean values finally used for calculation.
3.8.2 Length of the fruit (cm)
The length of six randomly selected fruits of sample plants under different
treatments in each replication and the mean values were calculated and expressed
incentimeter(cm).
3.8.3. Girth of the fruit (cm)
The girth of six randomly selected fruits under each treatment in each
replication were measured and finally expressed in centimeter (cm).
3.8.4 Fruit weight (g)
For this trait the mean weight of six randomly selected fruits of sample plants
under different treatments in each replication were taken and their weight was
expressed in gram (g).
3.8.5 Fruit yield (kg ha-1)
Thetotal quantity of fruits per plant from each treatment in each replication
were recorded per hectare yield was expressed in Kilogram (kg ha‾ˡ).
43
3.9 BIOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS
3.9.1 Sampling technique
a) Leaf Sample
Leaf Sample from different treatments were taken at the 30, 40, 80 days after
sowing to analyze N, P, K content. The Third active leaf from top was selected for
sampling. The third active leaf of randomly selected plants in each treatment was
collected. These samples are washed and shade dried for 30 minutes. Labeled
according to treatments and weighed (w₁), dried in hot air oven under constant
temperature of 70⁰C till constant weight (w₂) was achieved.
b) Fruit sample
The fruit sample from each treatment was harvested separately from individual
treatments at immature stage from second harvesting and washed thoroughly with
deionized water. Then it was analyzedfresh for fruit dryweight oven dried at 70⁰C
temperatures until the constant weight was obtained. Fresh fruits were used for
estimation of concentration of (N, P, K, Ca and S) and quality parameters.
c) Stem sample
The stem sample from each treatment was collected separately and sun dried
for 3-4 days followed by oven dried until a constant weight was achieved.
3.9.2 Observation on quality attributes
3.9.2.1 Total soluble solids (⁰⁰⁰⁰Brix)
Fresh fruit samples from different treatments were taken from second picking
and 5g fruit sample were macerated by using pestle. The single drop of extracted juice
put in hand refractrometer for estimation of total soluble solids (TSS). The results
were expressed in ⁰Brix.
44
3.9.2.2 Ascorbic acid (mg/100g edible part)
Fresh fruits were collected from each treatment of second picking and 5g
sample was macerated by using a pestlein 4% oxalic acid. The extracted solution
centrifuged fallowed by collection of the extract.Volumetric method was followed for
estimation of ascorbic acid and expressed in milligram per 100g edible portion
(mg/100g) as described by Sadasivum and Manickam (1996).5ml of supernatant was
taken in a conical flask by pipette. Then 10ml of 4% oxalic acid was added to the
conical flask containing the aliquot and titrated against 2,6-dichlorophenol
indophenols(dye) until rose pink colour persists.
3.9.2.3 Protein content (%)
The crude protein content of fruit was estimated through Kjeldahl method of
digestion and distillationwas followed for the estimation of nitrogencontent and it was
multiplied with 6.25 to get protein content(with assumption that protein contains 16
percent N).
3.9.2.4 Dry matter content of fruit(%)
The fruits of six sampled plants from each treatment were sliced separately
and composite samples of 50 g were taken from each treatment. Sampleswere air
dried for four days and then oven dried at 60⁰C till a constant weight was obtained.
The weight of dried fruit recorded, calculated and expressed in percentage.
3.9.2.5 Dry matter production of vine
The vines of six sampled plants from each treatment were chapped and
composite sample of 100g was taken from each treatment .The samples were air dried
for three days followed by oven drying at 70⁰C until constant weight was obtained.
The dry matter content was multiplied with the harvested vine weight to get total dry
matter production.
45
3.10 CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
3.10.1 Plant sample analysis
The nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, calcium, magnesium and sulphur
content of leaf, fruit and vine were determined. The plant parts used for dry matter
determination and chemical analysis were ground separately into powder by using
mill. These were digested separately following suitable methods.
Table 3.7 Methods utilized for plant nutrient analysis
S.l.no Nutrient Methods adopted
1 Nitrogen Kjeldahl digestion(digestion mixture (K2SO4+ CaSO4) + salicylic acid+ sodium thiosulphate) and distillation (Jackson et al., 1973)
2 Phosphorous Digestion with di acid (HNO3:HClO4 :: 3:2) followed by spectrophotometric determination (Jackson, 1973)
3 Potassium Di acid digestion followed by Flame photometric determination after digestion with di acid (Jackson, 1973)
4 Sulphur Spectrophotometric determination (Jackson,1973) after di acid digestion
5 Calcium&Magnesium EDTA complex metric titration method (Jackson,1973) after di acid digestion
3.10.2 Nutrient Uptake
Nutrient uptake through plant(vine) and fruit was calculated after multiplying
the nutrient concentration of individual nutrient with dry matter yield (vine and fruit)
due to respective treatment and then added to get total nutrient uptake. The results
were expressed in the unit of kg ha‾1.
3.10.3 Nutrient recovery (%)
Inorder to compare the treatment combination nutrient recovery, apparent
nutrient recovery (%) was calculated by using fallowing formula.
����� �� �������� �������� ����
����� �� ��������� � � ������X 100
46
3.11. Post harvest soil analysis
The soil samples were collected, shade dried and sieved properly by 10mm
mess sieve and these samples utilized for post harvest soil properties like Soil texture
by Bouycous hydrometer method, pH by using pH meter, electrical conductivity by
conductivity bridge method, organic carbon by Walkely and Black wet
oxidation(Page et.al.,1982), available nitrogen by Alkaline permanganate method,
available phosphorous by Bray’s-1Pmethod as suggested by Page et.al.,(1982) and
available potash by neutral N ammonium acetate method and estimated by flame
photometer (Jackson,1973).
3.12 Statistical analysis
The research results were subjected to proper statistical analysis in randomized
block design. The F-test was used for testing the significance of treatments. The least
significant difference was calculated at 5% level of significance by using the formula
(Gomez and Gomez, 1976).
1) CD₀.₀₅ for treatment means= √2$%&(±)xt₀.₀₅ error d.f
2) Coefficient of Variance (CV)(%)
80
DISCUSSION
A field experiment was conducted in the campus of College of Agriculture
to study the influence of integrated nutrient management in bitter gourd crop cv.
Prachi. It was continued over a mini long term experiment with cow pea as a previous
crop. There were three levels of NPK fertilizers (50, 75 and 100%), each dose of NPK
was integrated with VC either alone or VC with BFs. There was one absolute control
treatment, where only test crop was grown on native inherent fertility (no additional
source of any nutrients).
The differential treatments imposed for present crop production exhibited
variations on crop biometrics, flowering behaviour, fruit setting, nutrient
concentration, their uptake, recovery by crop and ultimately on post-harvest soil
properties.
Whatever variations were observed were due to differential nutrient supply,
(both major and secondary), effect of organic sources of nutrients in the form of VC
and the BFs (di-azotrophs and phosphorous Solubilizing microorganisms).These input
sources through their impact on physico-chemical and biological properties of soil,
nutrient supplying capacity, impact of various nutrients on crop growth, have
influenced the vegetative growth, productivity as well as the crop quality. The balance
among the input sources have reflected differentially on crop growth behaviour,
production and also produce quality.
The growth parameters like vine length (Fig.4.1), number of branches
(Fig.4.2), leaf area (Fig.4.3), the chlorophyll content (Fig.4.4) in leaves were at their
optimum to support good crop growth with T10 (100%NPK+VC+BF). The inorganic
nutrients alone could increase the vine length by 32.1 per cent, with VC by 38.5 per
cent and VC+BF by 47.5 per cent compared to control. Integrated nutrient
81
management proved superiority for production of more number of branches, higher
chlorophyll content in leaves with larger leaf area. All these findings corroborate the
findings of Suresh Kumar and Karuppaiah (2008) from Kerala, Prasad et al. (2009) in
West Bengal. Similar results were also reported for ridge gourd a member of cucurbit
gourd family by Lalitha Kameswari et al. (2010) and Sareedha et al. (2006) in
Gherkins.
The different nutritional management practices in the present experiment
exhibited the differential flowering behaviour interms of appearance of first male and
female flowers from DAS and earliest node to first female flower to appear.The T10
treatment being the best integrated treatment produced male flowers 10 days
(Fig.4.5), female flowers to 15 days early (Fig.4.6,4.7) and female flower appeared at
10 internodes (Fig.4.8) less as compared to the control, even earlier to other treatment
combinations. Mulani et al. (2007), Suresh Kumar et al. (2008) and Prasad et
al.(2009) were in support of similar findings from experimentation with bitter gourd
crop. Prabhu et al. (2006), Bindiya et al. (2012) also reported similar results while
working on cucumber and gherkin, respectively.
The influence of nutrient management practices ultimately reflected in
number of fruits per plant (Fig.4.9), their length (Fig.4.10), girth (Fig.4.11) and unit
fruit weight (4.12g) and ultimately on the (Fig.4.13 &4.14) yield of the crop. Among
ten treatment combinations tested, T10 (agro inputs with optimum doses of
inorganics) produced best of all performances (15% more fruits per plant, 9.3% longer
fruits, 4% more fruit diameter,10% more fruit weight and 15% higher per ha-1 yield
compared to that of with 100% inorganic dose, (Table 4.5). Similar results also
reported by Mulani et al. (2007) Prasad et al. (2009), in bitter gourd, Lalitha
Kameswari et al. (2010) in ridge gourd and Anjannapa et al. (2012) cucumber.
As crop yield and its biomass productions (Fig.4.15) were influenced by
nutrient management practices, which simultaneously influence nutrient uptake and
recovery by the crop (Pattanayak et al., 2008).
82
The biofertilizers in addition to nutrient fixation (N) or solubilisation (P)
also release growth promoting substances like IAA, Gibberelic acids, Cytokinins and
other growth promoting enzymes which influence the root growth, root density, root
volume, root CEC (Pattanayak et al.,2008), there by influence nutrient uptakeby the
crop and ultimately the recovery of specific nutrients.
In the present experiment, bitter gourd crop under the influence of optimum
inorganic nutrition based on soil test, supplementation of nutrients through organic
manures and biofertilizers backed by optimum physico, chemical, biological and
enzymatic environmental condition through VC and BFs, removed highest N (46.7
kg ha-1) (Fig.4.16) and recorded highest recovery of N (21.3 %) (Fig.4.17), similarly
highest phosphorous (9.0 kg ha-1) with moderate recovery of 20.1 per cent (Fig.4.20,
4.21), highest K uptake of 74.3 kg ha-1 with apparent recovery of 34 per cent
(Fig4.18, 4.19), highest uptake of sulphur (4.3kg ha-1 with recovery of 8.8 per cent
(Fig.4.24,4.25) and also the highest amount of Ca (22.3 kg ha-1) (Fig.4.22) and Mg
(16.8 kg ha-1) (Fig.4.23). Similar results were also obtained by Anjannapa et al.
(2012) in cucumber at GKVK, Banglore and Bindya et al. (2012) in Gerkins at
Hyderabad and Kamili et al. (2002) in Brinjal.
The beneficial effects of integrated nutrient management with optimum dose of
nutrients also recorded highest ascorbic acid (111.1mg/100g edible portion) (Fig 4.26) and
protien content (1.76%) (Fig.4.27) with higher TSS (2.0º Brix) (Fig.4.28) of the fruits. This
is in confirmation with findings of Benitez et al. (2013) in bitter gourd, Lalitha kameswari
et al. (2010) in ridge gourd and Aanjanappa et al. (2012) in cucumber.
All the above results supported integrated nutrient management including
application of optimum soil test based fertilizer application correcting deficient of
soil nutrients, sufficient organics and consortia of micro-organisms, like Aztobacter,
Azospirillum and PSM for increased growth,productivity with quality produce.
84
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
SUMMARY
An experiment entitled “Integrated nutrient management in Bitter gourd
(Momordica charantia L.) cv. Prachi” was carried out during kharif 2013 at the site
alloted for "All India Network project on Biodiversity and Bio fertilizers” in
OUAT, Bhubaneswar with the objectives to study the influence of graded levels of
inorganic fertilizers integrated with VC and BFs(Aztobacter, Azospirillum and PSM)
on growth, yield, quality, nutrient uptake and recovery by bitter gourd. The soil of the
experimental site was sandy in texture, mildly acidic in reaction, medium in status
with respect to organic corbon and K, low with respect to available N and S, high with
respect to P. The test crop was bitter gourd (var. Prachi,110 days duration) received
ten different treatments namely; Absolute control (T1), 50%NPK(T2), 50%NPK+VC