Effect of Organics and Chemical Fertilizers on Soil Organic Carbon Distribution in a Typic Ustifluvents

Abstract

To assess the effect of water hyacinth compost, vermicompost and inorganic fertilizers a field experiment was undertaken during rabi 2015-16 in light textured sandy loam soil of Mandan Bharti Agriculture College, Agwanpur, Saharsa, Bihar in split plot design with four levels of NPK in main plot and four levels of organic sources in sub-plot treatment in three replications. The experimental site was located in between 25°52’50” North latitude and 86o48’62” East longitude in agro-climatic zone-II of Bihar having hot moist sub-humid climate with average annual rainfall of 1050 mm and mean maximum and minimum annual temperature of 26°C and 18°C, respectively. Wheat (cv. DBW- 14) was grown as test crop during the reputed period of 2015-16. Vermicompost, compost made from aquatic weed water hyacinth (water hyacinth compost) alone or in combination with different levels of NPK of recommended dose of fertilizers were applied. The soil organic carbon decreased with increasing soil depth. Vermicompost, water hyacinth compost either alone or incombination with different levels of NPK fertilizer increased the status of soil organic carbon over control at each soil depth, Effect of water hyacinth compost, vermicompost or both either individually or in combination with chemical fertilizers had been very small.