Profile modification for survival, growth and nutrient uptake in mango plants under degraded lands - A participatory approach

Abstract

An on-farm-research (OFR) was conducted during 1996-97 to 1997-98 under users conditions to see tht.. effect of profile modification on survival, growth and leaf nutrient contents in grafted mango plants under rainfed gravely land (64% gravels by weight) in foothills of north-western Himalayan region. The investigation was carried out in participatory mode by involving 13 farm families at all the stages of experimentation. The pit profile (1 m3) was manipulated by different pit filling mixtures along with farmers practice i.e. pit filling by excavated soil only as control. Among different treatments, the pit filling by good soil and farm yard manure (FYM) in the ratio of 2:1 + 2 kg dry leaves (T5) gave best response in term of plant survival (72.17%) and growth prarameters. The next best treatment was T4,-good soil + FYM closely followed by T3,-good soil only having 70.50 and 69.08 per cent field survival, respectively. However, the leaf nutrient content did not make any impact at this stage but it showed positive trend with moisture holding capacity of the profile. As the extent of participation, most of the field activities were carried out by the family members while plant material, chemicals and technical guidance were given by the core team under the pilot project "Institution-Village-Linkage Programme (IVLP)". Therefore, the cost of establishment was practically very low but it was Rs. 11,868/ha for the best treatment (T5) when computed by converting all the establishment inputs in monetary value. The present investigation was nor only conducted to identify a suitable pit filling mixture for gravely land but it has also served as field demonstration block for quick adoption of desired findings by the farmers.