Biofortification of Zinc and Iron through Fortified Organics Along with NPK Levels on the Quality, Nutrient Uptake and Productivity of Brinjal in Coastal Saline Soil
D. Elayaraja *
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar- 608 002, Tamilnadu, India.
S. Jawahar
Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar- 608 002, Tamilnadu, India.
K. Sureka
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar- 608 002, Tamilnadu, India.
R. Kamaleshwaran
Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar- 608 002, Tamilnadu, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
To evaluate the response of zinc and iron fortified organic manure along with NPK levels on nutrient content, uptake and productivity of brinjal in coastal saline soil, a field experiment was conducted in farmer’s field at Ponnanthittu coastal village, near Chidambaram, Cuddalore District, Tamilnadu with brinjal var. Annamalai during August – December 2022. The experiment was laid out in a factorial randomized block design (FRBD) with four levels of NPK (0, 100, 125, 150%) and three levels of micronutrients (Zn and Fe) fortified organics like 100% Zn Fortified Composted Coir pith (ZnFCCP), 100% Fe Fortified Composted Coir pith (FeFCCP) and 100% Zn + Fe Fortified Composted Coir pith (Zn+FeFCCP) @ 6.25 t ha-1 , respectively). The result showed that individual and combined application of 150 % of NPK along with 100% Zn + Fe Fortified Composted Coir pith (Zn+FeFCCP) @ 6.25 t ha-1 excelled over other treatments and recorded higher values on growth (plant height, number of branches plant-1, Dry matter production), yield (fruit and stover), nutrient content and uptake (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, iron and zinc) of brinjal in coastal saline soil.
Keywords: Biofortification, zinc, iron, fortified organic manures, brinjal, coastal saline soil