Original Articles: 2011 Vol: 3 Issue: 5
Comparative study on agro-potentiality of Paper mill effluent and synthetic nutrient (DAP) on Vigna unguiculata L. (Walp) Cowpea
Abstract
A comparative study was conducted to asses the agro-potentiality of Paper mill effluent (PME) concentrations such as 10%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% along with control (Bore well water) and Di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) separately for the cultivation of Vigna unguiculata. The results revealed that PME concentrations had significant (P<0.01) effect on WHC, EC, Cl¯, Mg2+, OC, HCO3 –, exchangeable Na+, available K+, Ca2+, TKN, PO4 3- , SO4 2- , Zn, Cu, Fe, Cd, Ni and Cr while insignificant (P>0.05) effect on pH, bulk density and moisture content. Irrigation with 100% concentration of effluent, decreased WHC (14.48%), moisture content (3.10%), bulk density (6.45%) and pH (9.33%) and increased EC (42.46%), Cl¯ (88.84%), Mg2+ (1209.77%), OC (1807.76%), exchangeable Na+ (60.47%), available K+ (37.57%), Ca2+ (708.39%), TKN (798.28%), PO4 3- (118.86%) and SO4 2- (39.15%), Zn (158.87%), Cu (215.16%), Fe (94.57%), Cd (125.00%), Ni (3840.00%) and Cr (650.00%) in effluent irrigated soil. The performance of the V. unguiculata was increased from control to 25% concentration of the PME and decreased from 25% to 100% effluent in comparison to control and DAP. It was noted maximum with 25% effluent treatment in comparison to control and DAP. Based on the crop yield of and its cultivation cost of the various treatments, the 25% concentration of PME was found more economical than that of the other effluent concentrations and synthetic nutrient DAP.