Integrated nutrient management in grain Amaranth (Amaranthus hypochondriacus L.) under Middle Gujarat conditions

A field experiment was conducted at Anand Agricultural University, Anand, Gujarat, during rabi season of 2011 - 2012 to study the effect of integrated nutrient management (INM) practices on yield and quality of grains, soil fertility and economics. The results revealed that the grain amaranth variety Gujarat Amaranthus -2 (GA - 2) showed significant influence on growth and yield attributes, grain and Stover yields due to application of bio-fertilizer and vermicompost (Treatment T₇). The treatment T₇ which received 50% RDF (Recommended Dose of Fertilizers) + Vermicompost at the rate of 2 t ha⁻¹ mixed with Azotobacter chroococcum (ABA 1) and PSB (Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria) was found to be superior in growth and grain yield of amaranth when compared to other treatments. The highest protein content of 18.03% in grain was also observed in treatment T₇ The available residual NPK status of soil recorded after the harvest of the crop was also found to be significant under the integrated treatments as against RDF alone. The economics of treatments showed that, among the various integrated approaches adopted in the present investigation, maximum value for net realization was obtained under the treatment T₇