International Journal of Plant & Soil Science

This study investigated the effect of resource based organic farming on soil fertility in sugarcane fields of south Gujarat. It has measured, organic C, Bulk density, N, P, K₂O considering two factors include: Spacing and compost levels. The investigation was conducted during the years 2019–20 and 2020–21 at Organic Farm, Aspee College of Horticulture, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari (Gujarat). The soil of the experimental field was clayey in texture, with electrical conductivity within the safe limit (0.46 and 0.47 dS/m). The soil was medium in organic carbon (0.67 and 0.74 %) and slightly alkaline in reaction (pH 7.70 and 7.65). Medium in available nitrogen (248.30 kg/ha and 226.40 kg/ha) and P₂O₅ (45.20 and 35.70 kg/ha), high in available K₂O (416.40 and 429.10 kg/ha), DTPA-extractable Fe (17.00 and18.20 mg/kg), Mn (15.20 and16.80 mg/kg), Cu (2.62 and 2.67 mg/kg), and DTPA-extractable Zn (1.60 and 1.48 mg/kg) during both years, respectively. The treatments, viz., (Factor A Spacing, S₁:90 cm; S₂:120 cm x 60 cm paired row with green manuring). (Factor B Manure levels, M₁: NADEP @ 100 % RDN; M₂: NADEP @ 75 % RDN; M₃: NADEP @ 50 % RDN; and M₄: NADEP @ 25 % RDN + Sugarcane trash @10 t/ha + jeevamrut @ 2000 l/ha., were applied to the sugarcane crop and replicated three times in factorial randomized block design. The soil physico-chemical properties enumerated with treatment M₁: NADEP @ 100 % RDN its enhanced soil fertility, increasing organic carbon significantly during both the experimental years and nitrogen during second year of experiment. Organic farming positively impacts soil health. The Soil Properties reported enhanced soil fertility with organic treatments and reduced depletion of nutrients.