A transition period of at least 2 years is required for annual crops before the produce may be certified as organically grown. There is a need to better understand the various management options for a smooth transition from conventional to organic production. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of different organic amendments and biofertilizers (BFs) on productivity and profitability of a bell pepper-french bean-garden pea system as well as soil fertility and enzymatic activities during conversion to organic production. For this, the following six treatments were established in fixed plots: composted farmyard manure (FYMC, T-1); vermicompost (VC, T-2); poultry manure (PM, T-3) along with biofertilizers (BF) [Rhizobium/Azotobacter + phosphorus solubilizing bacteria (Pseudomonas striata)]; mix of three amendments (FYMC + PM + VC + BF, T-4); integrated nutrient management (FYMC + NPK, T-5); and unamended control (T-6). The yields of bell pepper and french bean under organic nutrient management were markedly lower (25.2-45.9% and 29.5-46.2%, respectively) than with the integrated nutrient management (INM). Among the organic treatments, T-4 and T-1 produced greater yields of both bell pepper (27.96 Mg ha(-1)) and french bean (3.87 Mg ha(-1)) compared with other treatments. In garden pea, however, T-4 gave the greatest pod yield (7.27 Mg ha(-1)) and was significantly superior to other treatments except T-5 and T1. The latter treatment resulted in the lowest soil bulk density (1.19 Mg m(-3)) compared with other treatments. Similarly, soil organic C was significantly greater in all the treatments (1.21-1.30%) except T-2 compared to T-6 (1.06%). Plots under INM, however, had greater levels of available nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium (NPK) than those under organic amendments. T-1 plots showed greater dehydrogenase and acid phosphatase activities compared with other treatments. However, T-4 and T-5 plots had greater activities of beta-glucosidase and urease activities, respectively. The cost of cultivation was greater under organic nutrient management (except T-2) compared with INM. The latter treatment gave greater gross margin and benefit/cost (B/C) ratio for all vegetables, except that T-2 gave greater B/C ratio in garden pea compared with other treatments. We conclude that T-1 and T-4 were more suitable for enhancing the productivity of bell pepper-french bean-garden pea system, through improved soil properties, during transition to organic production.
