Effect of organic sources of nutrients on soil fertility and yield of rainfed cotton (Gossypiumspp.) in Vertisols

A field experiment was conducted during kharif season of 2020 at research field of AICRP for Dryland Agriculture, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vid¬¬¬¬yapeeth, Akola, (Maharashtra) to study the effect of organic sources of nutrients on soil fertility and yield of rainfed cotton(Gossypiumspp.) in Vertisols. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with three replications and nine treatments. The results revealed that, there was a reduction in bulk density, pH and electrical conductivity and an increase in hydraulic conductivity and organic carbon content with application of 50% N through FYM + 50% N through gliricidia green leaves. This treatment also resulted in significantly higher available N (193.2 kg ha-1) and K (331.1 kg ha-1) content whereas available P (15.98 kg ha-1) content was higher with application of 50% N through FYM + 50% N through vermicompost. Improvement in the seed and stalk yield of cotton was observed with application of 50% N through FYM + 50% N through gliricidia green leaves. Seed and stalk yield was increased by 8.9% and 7.7% with application of 50% N through FYM + 50% N through gliricidia green leaves as compared to inorganic treatment, respectively. The minimum seed (540.9 kg ha-1) and stalk (997.2 kg ha-1) yield were recorded with application of 12 t FYM ha-1.