Yield of Okra and Microbial Population as Influenced by Effluent, Inorganic and Organic Fertilizers in Lateritic Soil of Konkan

A field experiment on the comparative effect of different levels of effluent, inorganic fertilizers with and without organic manures on soil microbial population and yield of okra in lateritic soils of Konkan was conducted at Central Experiment Station, Wakawali, Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli, Dist. Ratnagiri during Kharif, 2012. The effect of application of effluent concentrations @ 25, 50, 75 and 100 per cent with 100, 75, 50 and 25 per cent recommended dose of NPK fertilizers (RDF) and FYM @ 15 t ha⁻¹ and vermicompost @ 2 t ha⁻¹ on yield of okra and microbial population in soil was studied in randomized block design comprising of thirteen treatment combinations with three replications. The results revealed that the combined application of effluent, organic manures and inorganic fertilizers increased the yield over control. The significantly highest and yield of okra was exhibited by the treatment T₃ where the effluent was applied @25% along with 100 percent RDF + FYM@ 15t ha⁻¹. Application of different doses of effluent, organic manures and inorganic fertilizers significantly increased microbial population of bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes in soil. The highest population was observed with the treatment T₁₃ (100%E + 25% RDF + VC).