CONTENTS

INDUDHAR et al
due to external inputs. Similar results were observed
by Baby and Reddy (1998) and Patel et al. (2010).
Seed Yield
Integrated nutrient management treatments
have brought about significant differences in the seed
yield and stalk yield of castor. Among the integrated
nutrient management treatments, maximum seed
yield was recorded in T 6
(75% RDN-Inorganic + 12.5%
RDN-FYM +12.5% RDN-Neem cake) (346.30kg ha -
1
) which was on par with T 2
(100% RDN-Inorganic)
(319.60 kg ha -1 ) and T5 (75% RDN-Inorganic + 25%
RDN-Neem cake) (324.17 kg ha -1 ) and significantly
higher over the other treatments. Significantly lower
seed yield was recorded in T 1
(control) (120.10 kg
ha -1 ) than the other treatments. The reduction may
be due to the severe competition with Pongamia for
nutrients and moisture. The results were in agreement
with Mutanal et al. (2009). The higher seed yield in
T 6
(75% RDN-Inorganic + 12.5% RDN-FYM +12.5%
RDN-Neem cake) (346.30kg ha -1 ) could be attributed
to conjunctive use of organic and inorganic sources
of nitrogen which increased the availability of nitrogen
for favorable plant growth and further nitrogen
fertilization increases the cation exchange capacity
of plant roots and thus became efficient in absorption
of nutrient ions (Mathukia and Modhwadia, 1995).
Higher stalk yield in T 6
(75% RDN-Inorganic +
12.5% RDN-FYM +12.5% RDN-Neem cake) (1423.93
kg ha -1 ) was mainly attributed to the increased
availability of major and micronutrients due to
cumulative effect of organic manures like FYM and
neem cake and also due to higher plant height, leaf
area, number of branches and dry matter production
in the treatment. The results were in agreement with
Kumar and Kanjana (2009), Reddy et al. (1993) and
Raghavaiah and Babu (2000).
Harvest Index
The harvest index recorded under different
integrated nutrient management treatments was
analyzed statistically and presented in Table
Maximum harvest index was recorded in T 6
(75% RDN-Inorganic + 12.5% RDN-FYM +12.5%
RDN-Neem cake) (24.32%) and statistically it was
on par with all the treatments except with T 1
(control)
(21.12%). Maximum harvest index of castor in T 6
was mainly attributed to partitioning of dry matter
towards seed due to high availability of nutrients by
application of organic manures like FYM and neem
cake. The results were in agreement with Kumar and
Kanjana (2009), Reddy et al. (1993) and Raghavaiah
and Babu (2000).
Oil Content and Oil Yield
The oil content recorded under different
integrated nutrient management treatments was
analyzed statistically and presented in Table 1.
Integrated nutrient management practices did
not influence the oil content of castor. Maximum oil
content was recorded in T 7
(50% RDN-Inorganic +
25% RDN-FYM) (52.43%) and it was followed by T 1
(control) (52.37%) and T 8
(50% RDN-Inorganic +
25%RDN-Neem cake) (51.98%). Minimum oil content
was noticed in T 2
(100% RDN-Inorganic) (50.63%).
However, the oil yield was significantly influence by
the INM treatments. T 6
(75% RDN-Inorganic + 12.5%
RDN-FYM +12.5% RDN-Neem cake) (181.57 kg ha -
1
) recorded significantly higher oil yield over all the
other treatments. The increase in the oil yield in T 6
was attributed to higher seed yield obtained in this
treatment.
The oil content in oilseeds is often a genetically
controlled parameter and may not be altered much
due to external inputs. Similar results were observed
by Baby and Reddy (1998) and Patel et al. (2010).
Significant increase in the seed yield and stalk yield
was recorded in the INM treatments over the control
(Fig 1). Among the treatments, significantly higher
seed yield (346 kg/ha) and stalk yield (1424 kg/ha)
was recorded with the application of 75% RDN through
urea and 12.5% RDN through FYM and 12.5% RDN
through neem cake, but was on par with 100% RDN
through urea (320 and 1362 kg/ha) and 75% RDN
through urea and 25% RDN through neem cake (324
and 1347 kg/ha) (Fig.2). However, harvest index was
not influenced by INM treatments. The influence of
INM on the oil content was found not significant.
Similar results were also observed by Baby and
Reddy (1998). But the oil yield per hectare was
significantly higher with the application of 75% RDN
through urea and 12.5% RDN through FYM and
12.5% RDN through neem cake over all the other
treatments.
Hence it can be concluded that for improving
the yield and quality of castor with the sustained soil
productivity, combined usage of organic manures and
chemical fertilizers in the Pongamia based
alleycropping was found to be beneficial.
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