Influence of Sources of Organic Manures on Availability of Micronutrients to Finger Millet (Eleusine coracana, Gaertn) in Alfisal

Abstract

Field experiment was conducted on a sandy loam soil to know the periodic changes in DTPA extractable micro nutrients Zn,Fe,Cu and Mn with different sources of organic manures in conjunction with fertilizer were studied at 0-15 cm soil depth during finger mil;let growth. Application of organics alone or in combination with fertilizers significantly increased DTPA extractable micro nutrients when compared to NPK alone. Among the organic sources Farmyard Manure treated soil recorded maximum DTPA extractable micronutrients Zn,Fe,Cu, and Mn when compared to Green leaf manure and Vermicompost.

With intensive cropping of high analysis fertilizer, soils are becoming deficient in micronutrients. Although some work has been reported in Punjab and other states on the effect of different sources of organic manures on the building up of nutrients and yield of crops, very little work has been done with respect to micro nutrient elements. The present studies were conducted to know the effect of different sources of organic manures on Micro nutrient availability in sandy loam soil in finger millet crop.