Effect of integrated nutrient management on soil fertility, organic carbon and productivity of okra

A field experiment was conducted at Vegetable Research Farm, JNKVV, Jabalpur (M.P.) for four seasons with the object to assess the effect of integrated nutrient management on soil fertility and organic carbon in okra. Total of 15 treatments including three doses of vermicompost (3, 4 and 5 t ha(-1)) and three levels of chemical fertilizers, 40: 30: 30, 60: 45: 45 and 80: 60: 60 kg NPK ha(-1) alone and in combinations were arranged in randomized block design with three replications. It was observed that incorporation of vermicompost 5 t ha(-1) alongwith the 80: 60: 60 kg NPK ha(-1) resulted significantly higher fruit yield (91.0 q ha(-1)) as well as plant height (104.6 cm), nodes plant(-1) (15.8), root length (53.4 cm) and root dry weight (4.87 g plant(-1)). This treatment also increased the porosity in terms of bulk density (1.325 mg m-3), organic carbon content (5.8%) and available NPK after harvest of four succeeding crops. The pH value of the soil was also decreased with incorporation of vermicompost either alone or in combination with chemical fertilizer as compared to chemical fertilizer alone.