EFFECT OF DIFFERENT SOIL MIXTURES ON THE GROWTH AND YIELD OF TARO (Colocasia esculenta) FOR ROOFTOP GARDENING

Abstract

A pot experiment was conducted at the Research Field, Department of Soil Science, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur, October 2023 to December 2023 during the Rabi season for assessing the effectiveness mixtures of various organic and inorganic fertilizers on the growth and vegetative yield of taro. The experiment was held in completely randomized design (CRD), with 7 treatments and three replications. The treatments were as follows T1 = (Control (only soil), T2 = 70% Soil + 20% VC + 5% Sand + 5% Ash + 2.0 g kg-1 bone meal powder, T3 = 65% Soil + 25% VC + 5% Sand + 5% Ash + 1.5 g kg-1 bone meal powder, T4 = 70% Soil + 20% VC + 5% Sand + 5% Ash + 1.5 g kg-1 bone meal powder, T5 = 60% Soil + 20% VC + 15% Sand + 5% Ash + 2.0 g kg-1 bone meal powder, T6 = 60% Soil + 25% VC + 10% Sand + 5% Ash + 1.0 g kg-1 bone meal powder, T7 = 60% Soil + 25% VC + 5% Sand + 10% Ash + 1.0 g kg-1 bone meal powder. The experimental soil belongs to the Old Himalayan Piedmont Plain (AEZ-1). The soil was sandy loam in texture having pH 6.6, organic matter content 0.56%, total N 0.08%, available P 4.90 ppm, exchangeable K 0.06 m.e.q 100 g-1 soil and available S 5.52 ppm. Application of organic and inorganic fertilizers resulted in a considerable influence on the properties of the post-harvest soils such as the highest total N (0.25%), available S (12.56 ppm) and soil organic matter content (1.20%) and EC (0.18 mSm-1) in T7 treatment. The application of organic and inorganic fertilizers had a significant effect on the growth and vegetative yield of taro. The highest plant height 56 and 58.33 cm at 15 and 30 DAT at T7 respectively and after the first harvest 54.67 cm and 59 cm at T7 respectively. Fresh shoot weight of 1st harvest 60 g at T7 and at 2nd harvest 60.67 g at T7, and the longest root length (34 cm) were observed in T6 treatment. The lowest values most of all the parameters were noticed in the control treatment (T1). It was evident that the proper use of organic fertilizers in conjunction with chemical fertilizers may significantly boost soil fertility and vegetative development of taro. The study's findings revealed that treatment with T7 outperformed all other treatments. This study indicate that treating soil with 60% soil, 25% VC, 5% sand, 10% ash and 1.0 gkg-1 bone meal powder as a composite appears to be a promising practice for cost-effective taro cultivation in urban rooftop Settings.