Effect of organic manures and biofertilizers on nutrient status of soil in ginger intercropped in coconut garden

Field experiment was conducted at College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Kerala ,India for two years to study the effect of organic manure biofertilizer combination in ginger intercropped in coconut garden on nutrient utilization and improvement of soil nutrient status. Different combinations of organic manures like FYM, vermicompost, neem cake and green leaves along with biofertilisers like Trichoderma and AMF were evaluated and compared with Package of Practices Recommendation of Kerala Agricultural University. Nutrient balance sheet for N, P and K was prepared for two consequent years. The soil nutrient status showed a build up of available nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium) for all the organic manure combinations with AMF and Trichoderma over the Package of Practices Recommendation of Kerala Agricultural University. A substantial reduction in net loss of soil nutrients was also noticed in all organic manure biofertilizer combination. The actual nutrient status analyzed was found to be less than the expected balance in the case of nitrogen and phosphorous for both years whereas a positive buildup was manifested in potassium status at the end of second year. The experiment is an indication of the beneficial effect of organic manure biofertilizer combination in enhancing the soil nutrient status over the two years.