Integrated nutrient management in cape gooseberry

Abstract

Excessive use of inorganic fertilizers may lead to health hazards, ecological vulnerabilities and deteriorationof soil health. Hence, the present experiment was conducted to substitute the mineral fertilizers with biofertilizersin cape gooseberry by maintaining the yield potential and soil fertility status. Cape gooseberry plants were treatedwith Azotobacter, phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) and potassium solubilizing bacteria (KSB) @ 10 g plant-1each with a reduced dose of recommended fertilizer (RDF) from 100 to 60%. The highest yield was recorded with90% RDF + Azotobacter, PSB and KSB treatment, which was statistically at par with 60% RDF + Azotobacter, PSBand KSB treatment. Fruit weight was also increased significantly in 60-90% RDF + Azotobacter, PSB and KSBtreated plants. The best quality fruits were obtained in 60% or 90% RDF + Azotobacter, PSB and KSB treated plants.From the experimental findings, it can be concluded that the integrated nutrient module comprised of 60% RDFof NPK + Azotobacter, PSB and KSB @ 10 g plant-1 proved best treatment to improve the production of qualityfruits in cape gooseberry.