Effect of Integrated Use of Nutrients on Foliar Nutrient Content, Fruit Nutrient Uptake, Soil Properties, Yield and Economics of Papaya (Carica Papaya L.) Cv. 'Coorg Honey Dew'

An experiment was conducted during the years 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 at the experimental plot, College of Agriculture, Chiplima, Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology, Sambalpur, Odisha, India, to determine the effect of integrated use nutrients (organic, inorganic and biofertilizers) on foliar nutrient content, fruit nutrient uptake, soil properties and economics of papaya cv. 'Coorg Honey Dew'. The cumulative fruit yield was found to be highest (55.89 kg/plant) in T-7, which was closely followed by 53.91 kg/plant under treatment T-8. The nutrient content in leaf ranged from 1.07 to 2.13% (N), 0.14 to 0.27% (P) and 1.98 to 2.98% (K) after final harvest of the fruits. The uptake of nutrients by papaya fruits per hectare was observed to be 340 kg nitrogen, 104 kg phosphorus and 451 kg potassium in 100% recommended dose of NPK (RDF) + phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) + Azospirillum (AZS) + Azotobactor (AZO), while the minimum (18.9 and 49 kg) was obtained in the control. The NPK content in soil was highest in 100% RDF + PSB + AZS + AZO (158 kg, P 28 kg and K 133 kg/ha) and the lowest was recorded in the control (124.11 and 113 kg). Similarly, higher organic carbon (0.58g/kg soil) was obtained in 100% RDF + PSB + AZS + AZO and lower (0.39 g/kg) in the control. The soil microbial population was found to be highest in 100% RDF + PSB + AZS + AZO. The highest B:C ratio (3.30) was noted in 75% RDF + PSB + AZS + AZO, followed by 100% RDF + PSB + AZO (3.25) and 100% RDF + PSB +AZS (3.24).