Use of soil amendment on productivity of sunflower, castor and sorghum in rainfed environment.

Abstract

The studies on effect of soil amendments (FYM and Bentonite) on soil quality and crop growth in sunflower (MSFH-8) was conducted for four kharif seasons in rainfed alfisols. The residual effect of these amendments was studied with castor (GCH-4) and sorghum ( CSH-6) in rotation during fifth and sixth years. Use of soil amendments on an average increased the seed yields or sunflower by 30-40% over the chemical fertilizer alone. among the various amendments , FYM @10t/ha/ year recorded the highest seed yields followed by bentonite +FYM due to increased growth components and also batter use of rainfall and nutrients. set row application of FYM recorded additional seed grains (12-20%) compared to the broadcast. use of soil amendments (FYM alone or in combination with bentonite) recorded significant residual effects of 44-56% in castor, sorghum in sequence. These amendments after application for four years substantially improved soil quality parameters like organic carbon, total nitrogen and phosphorus. set row application of FYM showed higher direct effect on yields nutrien and water use while there are no variations on yield and quality parameters of castor and sorghum due to residual effect of these amendments.