Effect of integrated nutrient management on yield and quality parameters in bhendi (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) cv. Arka Anamika

Bhendi (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) is an annual vegetable crop grown from seed in tropical and sub-tropical parts of the world. India is the largest producer of bhendi in the world. In India during 2004, the total production was about 40.33 lakh tones of green fruits were produced from 4.31 lakh ha and 1.81 lakh tones of green fruits were produced from 13484 ha in Karnataka (Anon, 2004). Organic manure alone may not be enough to meet the nutritional requirement of crop in intensive cropping system. Thus, a suitable organic matter with chemical fertilizers may help in improving the fertility, productivity and physical condition of soil. The experiment was conducted in the Division of Horticulture, University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK, Bangalore in bhendi var. Arka Anamika. There were 12 treatments in three replications. The treatment comprises of T 1 - 100% RDF (125: 75: 62.5 kg NPK/ha) + FYM (25 t/ha), T 2 - 75% RDF + FYM (25 t/ha), T 3 - 75% RDF + FYM (25 t/ha) + BF (10 kg/ ha), T 4 - 75% RDF + Vermicompost (4 t/ha) + BF (10 kg/ha), T 5 - 75% RDF + Vermicompost (4 t/ha) + Neem cake (1 t/ha), T 6 - 75% RDF + Vermicompost (4 t/ha) + Neem cake (1 t/ha) + BF (10 kg/ha), T 7 50% RDF + FYM (25 t/ha), T 8 - 50% RDF + FYM (25 t/ha) + BF (10 kg/ha), T 9 - FYM (25 t/ha) + BF (10 kg/ ha), T 10 - Vermicompost (4 t/ha), T 11 - Vermicompost (4 t/ha) + Neem cake (1 t/ha), T 12 - Vermicompost (4 t/ha) + BF (10 kg/ha). BF (microbial – consortium) = Azotobacter @ 2.5 kg/ ha, phosphobactor @ 2.5 kg/ha, Trichoderma @ 2.5 kg/ha and VAM fungi (Glomus leptotichum) @ 2.5 kg/ha (1 kg of BF/ ton of compost). The standard cultural practices recommended for the crop was followed for all the experimental plots. The growth parameters were recorded and the data were recorded and were subjected to statistical analysis.