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903
Environment and Ecology 41 (2) : 903—912, April—June 2023
ISSN 0970-0420
Eect of Integrated Nutrient Management in Brinjal
on Soil Properties
Saurabh Thakur, Anil Kumar, Swapana Sepehya, Aanchal
Received 31 October 2022, Accepted 21 February2023,Published on 24 April 2023
Saurabh Thakur*1, Anil Kumar2, Swapana Sepehya3, Aanchal4
2Senior Scientist, 3Assistant Professor, 1,2,3,4Department of Soil
Science and Water Management, COHF, Neri, Hamirpur 177001,
HP, India
Email: thakusaurabh413@gmail.com
*Corresponding author
ABSTRACT
An experiment was conducted at the Experimen-
tal farm of Department of Soil Science and Water
Management, Neri, Hamirpur to study the combined
eect of organic, inorganic and biofertilizer on soil
properties. The experiment was laid out in a Ran-
domized Block Design with three replications and
consisted of 11 nutrient managements viz., control
(T1), 100% RDF (T2), 75% RDN (IF) + 25% RDN
(VC) (T3), 50% RDN (IF) + 50% RDN (VC) (T4),
25% RDN (IF) + 75% RDN (VC) (T5), 100% RDN
(VC) (T6), 100% RDF + Azotobacter (T7), 75% RDN
(IF) + 25% RDN (VC) + Azotobacter (T8), 50%
RDN (IF) + 50% RDN (VC) + Azotobacter (T9),
25% RDN (IF) + 75% RDN (VC) + Azotobacter
(T10) and 100% RDN (VC) + Azotobacter (T11).
Surface soil samples (0-15 cm depth) were collected
after the harvest of brinjal crop and analyzed for soil
properties i.e., pH, electrical conductivity, organic
carbon, available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium,
sulfur, exchangeable calcium, magnesium and DTPA
extractable zinc, copper, iron and manganese using
standard analytical methods. It was observed that
the treatment comprising of 100% RDN through
vermicompost + Azotobacter (T11) registered higher
values of available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium,
sulfur, exchangeable calcium, magnesium and DTPA
extractable micronutrient cations.
Keywords Biofertilizer, Brinjal, Nutrient manage-
ment, Soil properties.
INTRODUCTION
Brinjal or egg plant (Solanum melongena L.) is an
important and indigenous vegetable crop in India. It
ranks as the fourth most produced and grown veg-
etable in the nation. Exceptional sources of carbs,
proteins, minerals, vitamins, dietary bers, and low-
fat content can be found in brinjal fruits (Zenia and
Halina 2008). It is a long duration crop that takes up
land for close to 6–8 months. In addition, it yields
heavily and uses up a lot of nutrients during one
cycle of plant growth (Singh and Nath 2012), which
causes quick depletion of nutrients and without
proper replenishment it could severely aect soil
fertility. In recent years, it has become apparent that
904
the injudicious use of chemical fertilizers causes a
number of serious issues, including fertility loss,
soil structure, permanent nutrition losses from soil.
With this constantly growing population, there is a
need for increased agricultural productivity that is
both sustainable and maintainable. Organic farming
reduces the use of agrochemicals that degrade into the
environment, like pesticides and synthetic fertilizers,
by using inputs from natural sources. Renewable ma-
terials can be utilized in place of inorganic fertilizers
to ensure environmental sustainability (Diacono et al.
2019). Addition of vermicompost to the soil reduce
the C:N ratio which helps in stabilizing the soil. It also
serves as a soil amendment that increases the soil’s
capacity to store water and facilitate cation exchange,
hence reducing the need for mineral fertilizers in crop
production. Additionally, vermicompost features
microsites that are abundant in nitrogen and carbon
and also increases the solubility of other nutrients
(Haridha et al. 2020). Nitrogenous biofertilizers viz.,
Rhizobium, Azotobacter and Azospirillum are being
widely used in vegetable crops for cutting down the
requirement of inorganic fertilizers to be used for crop
production. They are economically saving 25-50%
of the recommended dose of nitrogenous fertilizers
in vegetable crops (Singh and Nath 2012). Integrated
nutrient management involves judicious use of organ-
ic and inorganic fertilizers along with biofertilizers,
which not only takes cares of soil fertility but also
signicantly reduces the use of expensive chemical
fertilizers thereby maintaining soil health over the
long term. In light of the above information, a study
was carried out to evaluate the eect of integrated
nutrient management practices on the soil properties
after the harvest of brinjal.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The experiment was conducted at the Experimental
farm of the Department of Soil Science and Water
Management, College of Horticulture and Forestry,
Hamirpur. In a Randomized Block Design, eleven
treatments and three replications of each treatment
were used. The recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF)
was supplied in the form of urea, single super phos-
phate and muriate of potash as a source for nitrogen,
phosphorus and potassium, respectively. The quantity
of vermicompost was calculated based on its nitrogen
Table 1. Treatment details of the experiment.
Treatments Treatments combination
T1 : Control
T2 : 100% RDF
T 3 : 7 5 % R D N ( I n o r g a n i c f e r t i l i z e r ) + 2 5 % R D N
(Vermicompost)
T 4 : 5 0 % R D N ( I n o r g a n i c f e r t i l i z e r ) + 5 0 % R D N
(Vermicompost)
T 5 : 2 5 % R D N ( I n o r g a n i c f e r t i l i z e r ) + 7 5 % R D N
(Vermicompost)
T6 : 100% RDN (Vermicompost)
T7 : 100% RDF + Azotobacter
T 8 : 7 5 % R D N ( I n o r g a n i c f e r t i l i z e r ) + 2 5 % R D N
(Vermicompost) + Azotobacter
T 9 : 5 0 % R D N ( I n o r g a n i c f e r t i l i z e r ) + 5 0 % R D N
(Vermicompost) + Azotobacter
T 1 0 : 2 5 % R D N ( I n o r g a n i c f e r t i l i z e r ) + 7 5 % R D N
(Vermicompost) + Azotobacter
T11 : 100% RDN (Vermicompost) + Azotobacter
content in treatments where recommended dose of
nitrogen (RDN) was substituted by vermicompost
to meet out the crop requirement. The control plots
received no manure or fertilizer applications. The crop
was planted at 60 cm x 45 cm spacing and standard
cultural practices were followed consistently through-
out all treatments (Tables 1-3).
Statistical analysis
The data gathered was subjected to statistical anal-
ysis using the technique of analysis of variance for
Randomized Block Design as described by Gomez
and Gomez (1984).
Table 2. Initial soil properties of the experimental farm.
Sl. No. Soil property Value
1 pH 6.76
2 Electrical conductivity (dS m-1) 0.195
3 Organic carbon (g kg-1) 4.40
4 Available nitrogen (kg ha-1) 188.16
5 Available phosphorus (kg ha-1) 16.15
6 Available potassium (kg ha-1) 169.50
7 Available sulfur (kg ha-1) 25.77
8 Exchangeable calcium [c mol (p+) kg-1] 8.64
9 Exchangeable magnesium [c mol (p+) kg-1] 2.47
10 Available zinc (mg kg-1) 0.91
11 Available copper (mg kg-1) 1.16
12 Available iron (mg kg-1) 13.51
13 Available manganese (mg kg-1) 14.74
905
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Soil pH and electrical conductivity
An inquisition of data presented in Table 4 indicates
the eect of integrated nutrient management prac-
tices on soil pH. It was revealed that soil pH was
not signicantly inuenced by the application of
inorganic fertilizers, organic manure and biofertilizer.
In general, pH of the soil varied from 6.77 to 6.86.
Highest pH was recorded with the application of
100% RDN through vermicompost + Azotobacter
(T11) and lowest under plots receiving no fertilizer,
manure or biofertilizer (T1). On the whole, there
was increase in soil pH over the control, however
this increase was non signicant. These results are
in line with those of Lakra et al. (2017) and Dhiman
et al. (2018). The electrical conductivity of the soil
ranged from 0.194 to 0.208 dS m-1 (Table 4). The
lowest electrical conductivity was obtained under
control (T1) whereas highest was observed when
plots were applied with 100% RDN through vermi-
compost + Azotobacter (T11). Application of 100
RDF alone (T2) or in combination with Azotobacter
(T7) increased the electrical conductivity of the soil.
Similar trend was observed with the application of
100% RDN through vermicompost with and without
the use of Azotobacter (T11 and T6, respectively). In
general, there was slight increase in electrical conduc-
tivity of soil over control, however, this increase was
not signicant. Similar results were also reported by
Salvi et al. (2015) and Lakra et al. (2017).
Organic carbon
Data referred in connection with the eect of inte-
Table 3. Nutrient content of vermicompost.
Sl. No. Nutrient Vermicompost
1 Nitrogen (%) 1.12
2 Phosphorus (%) 0.41
3 Potassium (%) 0.57
4 Sulphur (%) 0.22
5 Calcium (%) 0.55
6 Magnesium (%) 0.17
7 Zinc (mg kg-1) 64.01
8 Copper (mg kg-1) 36.82
9 Iron (mg kg-1) 2026.59
10 Manganese (mg kg-1) 229.45
grated nutrient management on soil organic carbon
(Table 4) marked out that among all the treatments,
highest soil organic carbon content (5.26 g kg-1) was
observed with the application of 100 % RDN through
vermicompost + Azotobacter (T11) while lowest
(4.14 g kg-1) was under control (T1) where no appli-
cation of fertilizer, manure or biofertilizer was done.
Build-up of soil organic carbon was observed in all
the treatments except control over the initial value.
Application of recommended doses of fertilizers
alone (T2) or in combination with Azotobacter (T7)
showed increase in soil organic carbon over control.
Substitution of RDN by vermicompost increased the
soil organic carbon over 100% RDF but was found to
be inferior when Azotobacter was applied addition-
ally along with substituted RDN by vermicompost.
Though, there was an increase in soil organic carbon
content with the addition of Azotobacter to the treat-
ments in comparison to the treatments where Azoto-
bacter was not used but the respective treatments were
at par with each other. Highest increase of 27.05 and
19.55% over control and initial status, respectively
was observed under T11 where 100% RDN through
vermicompost + Azotobacter was applied. Lower
organic carbon content in control might be due to no
addition of fertilizer, manure or biofertilizer. Higher
organic carbon content in the plots where vermicom-
post, chemical fertilizer or Azotobacter was applied
might be attributed to better crop growth along with
more root biomass generation. Also, organic manures
are eective in building up organic carbon in soil
since increase in microbial population might have
helped in sequestering the mineralized carbon from
organic manures and loading in to the soil carbon
pool. This eect is further enhanced by addition of
fertilizer that improved the root and shoot growth.
The results recorded are in testimony with the work
done by Thingujam et al. (2016), Lakra et al. (2017)
and Dhiman et al. (2018).
Available nitrogen
The data on the eect of integrated nutrient manage-
ment on available nitrogen in soil (Table 4) indicates
that available N in soil varied from 167.25 to 265.51
kg ha-1. The maximum values were obtained with the
application of 100% RDN through vermicompost +
Azotobacter (T11), while minimum was observed
906
under control (T1). Treatments where 100% RDF
was applied alone (T2) or in combination with Azo-
tobacter (T7) showed increase of 16.67 and 25.00%
in nitrogen availability in the soil over initial value.
The nitrogen availability in the soil was increased by
the addition of Azotobacter along with RDF or sub-
stituted doses of RDN by vermicompost. Among the
treatments where Azotobacter was applied (T7-T11),
increase in available nitrogen to the tune of 20.95,
17.14, 14.29, 10.95 and 7.14% was observed with
the application of 100% RDN through vermicompost
+ Azotobacter (T11), 25% RDN through inorganic
fertilizer + 75% RDN through vermicompost + Azo-
tobacter (T10), 50% RDN through inorganic fertilizer
+ 50% RDN through vermicompost + Azotobacter
(T9) and 75% RDN through inorganic fertilizer +
25% RDN through vermicompost + Azotobacter (T8)
and 100% RDF + Azotobacter (T7), respectively over
100% RDF.
Crop removal without application by fertilizer,
manure or biofertilizer in control lead to lower N con-
tent in these plots. The increase in N content with the
application of Azotobacter might be due to improved
nitrogen availability in the rhizosphere. The increase
with organic manure addition may also be attributed
to higher microbial activity in the integrated nutrient
management treatments which favored the conversion
of the organically bound nitrogen into inorganic form.
Organic sources when applied with inorganic sources
increased N availability as when organic sources are
added to soil, fertilizer use eciency is increased.
Table 4. Eect of integrated nutrient management on soil pH, EC, organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium after harvest of crop.
Treatment Soil Electrical Organic carbon Available Available Available
pH conductivity (g kg-1) nitrogen phosphorus potassium
(dS m-1) (kg ha-1) (kg ha-1) (kg ha-1)
T1 6.77 0.194 4.14 167.25 15.31 162.76
T2 6.82 0.203 4.57 219.52 17.85 182.22
T3 6.83 0.204 4.74 223.70 19.33 196.81
T4 6.84 0.205 4.91 226.84 20.82 207.66
T5 6.85 0.206 5.00 229.97 22.30 220.38
T6 6.86 0.207 5.17 233.11 23.57 232.36
T7 6.82 0.204 4.65 235.20 18.70 186.71
T8 6.83 0.205 4.83 243.56 20.18 199.81
T9 6.84 0.206 5.00 250.88 21.67 210.28
T10 6.85 0.207 5.09 257.15 23.15 223.75
T11 6.86 0.208 5.26 265.51 24.63 235.35
CD at 5% NS NS 0.63 36.02 1.87 13.98
Moreover, nitrogenous compounds are slowly bro-
ken down and its availability in the form of nitrate N
supply remains throughout crop growth. Therefore,
organic manures increased the available nitrogen
content in soil. The results are also in authentication
with the conclusions of Thingujam et al. (2016),
Manasa (2018) and Raut et al. (2019).
Available phosphorus
A glance of data presented in table 4 on the eect of
integrated nutrient management on available phospho-
rus clearly revealed that highest available phosphorus
(24.63 kg ha-1) was obtained with the application of
100% RDN through vermicompost + Azotobacter
(T11) whereas lower (15.31 kg ha-1) was observed
under control (T1). Sole use of inorganic fertilizers
(T2) increased available phosphorus over control (T1)
but was inferior when Azotobacter was applied along
with RDF (T7). Similarly, substitution of 100% RDN
through vermicompost + Azotobacter (T11) recorded
higher available phosphorus over sole use of 100%
RDN through vermicompost (T6). Hundred per cent
substitution of recommended doses of nitrogen by
vermicompost showed signicant increase in phos-
phorus availability compared to sole application of
chemical fertilizers. Among the treatments consisting
of substitution of recommended doses of nitrogen
with vermicompost (T3-T6), treatment T3, T4, T5
and T6 increased the available phosphorus in soil by
26.26, 35.99, 45.66 and 53.95%, respectively over
control (15.31 kg ha-1). In case of substitution of RDN
907
with vermicompost and biofertilizer treated plots (T8-
T11), maximum available phosphorus (24.63 kg ha-1)
was observed when applied with 100% RDN through
vermicompost + Azotobacter (T11) followed by 25%
RDN through inorganic fertilizer + 75% RDN through
vermicompost + Azotobacter (T10).
The build-up in available phosphorus with
the application of 100% RDF might be attributed
to direct availability of phosphorus through single
super phosphate. In addition to this the increase in
available phosphorus content in soil might be due
to vermicompost addition which contained 0.41%
phosphorus, therefore, its application contributed
an appreciable additional amount of phosphorus
to the soil. The release of organic acids during the
decomposition process of vermicompost could be
another reason for increase in phosphorus availability
in the soil. Moreover, biofertilizers might have lead
to better root development, better transportation of
water uptake and deposition of nutrients resulting in
increased availability of phosphorus. The results are
in testimony with the nding of Lakra et al. (2017),
Malavade (2019) and Raut et al. (2019).
Available potassium
An appraisal of data presented in Table 4 on the ef-
fect of integrated nutrient management on available
potassium showed that application of 100% RDN
through vermicompost + Azotobacter (T11) registered
maximum values (235.35 kg ha-1) of available potas-
sium whereas least (162.76 kg ha-1) were obtained
under control (T1) where no application of chemical
fertilizer, organic manure or biofertilizer was done.
The data depicted that use of RDF (T2) recorded
signicantly higher available potassium over control
(T1). Among the treatments where RDN was applied
either through vermicompost or chemical fertilizer
or both and Azotobacter was applied additionally
(T7-T11), the potassium availability increased to the
tune of 14.71, 22.76, 29.20, 37.37 and 44.60% under
treatment T7, T8, T9, T10 and T11, respectively over
control. However, treatment T10 and T11 were found
to be at par with each other. Additional application of
Azotobacter increased the available potassium over
the respective treatments where Azotobacter was not
applied, however dierences were not signicant
among respective treatments. Further, it was noticed
that all the treatment combinations were eective
in increasing the potassium availability over initial
value except control and highest increase of about
44.60 and 38.85% over control and initial status,
respectively was observed under T11 where 100%
RDN through vermicompost + Azotobacter was
applied. The depletion in native potassium pool in
control from initial value is due to no addition of
fertilizer or manure or biofertilizer. Moreover, organic
matter reduces potassium xation releases potassium
from non-exchangeable fraction to the available pool
thereby increasing its availability. The reason attribut-
ed might be due to the organic and inorganic acids
produced during decomposition of vermicompost
which might have helped in the release of mineral
bound insoluble potassium as well as reduce the po-
tassium xation. Inorganic fertilizer helps in direct
deposition of nutrients to the soil thereby increasing
their availability. These results are in line with those
of Malavade (2019) and Raut et al. (2019) (Table 4).
Available sulfur
A scrutiny of data presented in Table 5 on the eect
of integrated nutrient management on availability
of sulfur showed that available sulfur in soil ranged
from 24.36 to 34.10 kg ha-1. Application of 100%
RDN through vermicompost + Azotobacter (T11)
was found to be statistically superior over all the
treatments except T10 (25% RDN through inorganic
fertilizer + 75% RDN through vermicompost + Azo-
tobacter) and lowest sulfur availability was observed
under control (T1). Application of recommended
doses of fertilizers alone (T2) enhanced the sulfur
availability over control. However, this increase was
found to be lesser over the conjoint application of
RDF + Azotobacter (T7). On comparing the treat-
ments where recommended doses of nitrogen was
substituted with vermicompost but Azotobacter was
not applied (T3-T6), maximum available sulfur (33.65
kg ha-1) was obtained under treatment T6 followed by
T5 and T4. Whereas application of 75% RDN through
inorganic fertilizer + 25% RDN through vermicom-
post (T3) showed minimum (29.23 kg ha-1) sulfur
content. However, treatments T5 and T6 were found
to be at par with each other. Addition of Azotobacter
increased the available sulfur when RDN was applied
908
through vermicompost or chemical fertilizer or both.
Available sulfur was increased to the tune of 32.32,
27.36, 20.88 and 15.91% with the application of treat-
ment T11 followed by T10, T9 and T8, respectively
over initial value (25.77 kg ha-1).
The increase in sulfur content with fertilizers
applications may be attributed to addition of sulfur
through single super phosphate which lead to direct
deposition of sulfur in the soil. Substitution of RDN
by vermicompost also increased the availability of
sulfur in the soil due to slow release of nutrients
through decomposition of vermicompost for longer
period. Moreover, the increase in available sulfur
with vermicompost incorporation could possibly be
attributable to additional sulfur input to the soil. The
results are in testimony with the ndings of Mujawar
(2012) and Chattoo et al. (2014).
Exchangeable calcium
Data referred in connection with the eect of inte-
grated nutrient management on exchangeable calcium
content in Table 5 marked out that among all the
treatments, maximum exchangeable calcium [14.12 c
mol (p+) kg-1] in soil was reported with the application
of 100% RDN through vermicompost + Azotobacter
(T11) followed by 100% RDN through vermicompost
(T6). Whereas, minimum values [8.18 c mol (p+) kg-1]
of exchangeable calcium were obtained under control
(T1). Among the treatments where recommended
dose of nitrogen was substituted with vermicompost
without the addition of Azotobacter (T3-T6), lowest
exchangeable calcium (10.66 c mol (p+) kg-1) in
soil was recorded with the application of 75% RDN
through inorganic fertilizer + 25% RDN through
vermicompost (T3) whereas maximum (13.93 c mol
(p+) kg-1) was observed with the incorporation of
100% RDN through vermicompost (T6). Additional
application of Azotobacter to the treatments along
with RDN applied through chemical fertilizer or
vermicompost or both (T7-T11) acquired higher
exchangeable calcium over 100% RDF (T2) and
the highest increase of 45.12% was achieved under
treatment T11 followed by 34.74, 24.67 and 12.54%
increase under treatment T10, T9 and T8, respectively.
Highest increase of about 72.62 and 63.43% over
control and initial status, respectively was observed
under T11 where 100% RDN through vermicompost
+ Azotobacter was applied.
Increased calcium availability with the applica-
tion of chemical fertilizer is attributed to the addition
of single super phosphate to the soil as a source of
phosphorus which also contains a certain amount of
calcium thereby increasing its content in the soil.
Also, incorporation of vermicompost lead to release
of nutrients gradually during the decomposition and
mineralization process which maintains optimal
levels over prolonged period of time and increase in
calcium availability. Lower calcium content in control
might be due to removal of calcium by crop without
its addition. The ndings are in conformity with those
of Salvi et al. (2015) and Batabyal et al. (2017).
Exchangeable magnesium
Similar to exchangeable calcium dierent treatments
also had signicant eect on exchangeable magne-
sium as it increased with the application of fertilizer
or vermicompost or both with or without the Azoto-
bacter (Table 5). An inquisition of data indicated that
maximum content of exchangeable magnesium [2.87
c mol (p+) kg-1] was observed with the application
of 100% RDN through vermicompost + Azotobacter
(T11) and lowest [2.35 c mol (p+) kg-1] under control
(T1) where no inorganic fertilizer, organic manure or
biofertilizer application was done. Incorporation of
100% RDN through vermicompost alone (T6) or in
combination with Azotobacter (T11) showed increase
of 9.65 and 10.81%, respectively in exchangeable
magnesium content of soil over 100% RDF (T2).
While comparing the eect of combined application
of recommended doses of nitrogen through inorganic
fertilizer and vermicompost along with addition of
Azotobacter (T8-T11) on exchangeable magnesium,
it was found that treatment T8, T9, T10 and T11 in-
creased the magnesium content to the tune of 14.04,
16.60, 19.15 and 22.13%, respectively over the
control value (2.35 c mol (p+) kg-1). Azotobacter was
found to be benecial for increasing exchangeable
magnesium in all the treatments (T7-T11) as com-
pared to the same treatments where it was not used
(T2-T6). However, the exchangeable magnesium
content in soil in the treatments where Azotobacter
was used was at par with the respective treatments
where it was not used.
909
Substitution of RDN by organic manure in
combination with reduced rate of RDN by chemical
fertilizers showed positive inuence on magnesium
availability. The increase in exchangeable magne-
sium with the addition of vermicompost could also
be attributed to additional supply of magnesium
by vermicompost to the soil. Higher availability in
treatments with the application of biofertilizers might
attributed to the synergistic eect of biofertilizer with
organic manure and chemical fertilizer. These results
are in line with those of Batabyal et al. (2017) and
Dhiman et al. (2018).
DTPA extractable zinc
The data with respect to eect of integrated nutrient
management on DTPA extractable zinc have been
presented in Table 5. DTPA extractable zinc varied
from a minimum of 0.85 mg kg-1 in control (T1) to
a maximum of 1.01 mg kg-1 in plots receiving 100%
RDN through vermicompost along with Azotobacter
(T11). Increase in zinc content over initial was ob-
served under all the treatments except control. Appli-
cation of recommended doses of fertilizers alone (T2)
or in combination with Azotobacter (T7) increased
the DTPA extractable zinc over control however, the
increase in T2 was at par with T1. Substitution of
recommended doses of nitrogen with vermicompost
positively inuenced the DTPA extractable zinc. It is
apparent from the data that with the increase in the
Table 5. Eect of integrated nutrient management on soil sulfur, exchangeable calcium and magnesium and DTPA ex-
tractable micronutrients (zinc, copper, iron and manganese) after harvest of crop.
Treatment Available Exchangeable Exchangeable Zinc Copper Iron Manganese
sulfur calcium magnesium (mg kg-1) (mg kg-1) (mg kg-1) (mg kg-1)
(kg ha-1) (c mol (p+) (c mol (p+)
kg-1) kg-1)
T1 24.36 8.18 2.35 0.85 1.04 12.87 13.34
T2 27.82 9.73 2.59 0.92 1.19 14.22 15.05
T3 29.23 10.66 2.65 0.94 1.22 14.43 15.16
T4 30.64 11.77 2.70 0.96 1.25 14.86 15.33
T5 32.24 12.85 2.76 0.98 1.29 15.07 15.52
T6 33.65 13.93 2.84 1.00 1.32 15.35 15.85
T7 28.40 10.02 2.63 0.93 1.21 14.48 15.19
T8 29.87 10.95 2.68 0.95 1.24 14.72 15.46
T9 31.15 12.13 2.74 0.97 1.27 15.14 15.51
T10 32.82 13.11 2.80 0.99 1.30 15.35 15.70
T11 34.10 14.12 2.87 1.01 1.35 15.78 16.02
CD at 5% 2.19 0.67 0.12 0.07 0.15 1.41 1.00
substitution there was increase in the zinc content.
Among the treatments where RDN was substituted
by vermicompost (T3-T6), treatment T6, T5, T4 and
T3 increased the zinc content by 17.65, 15.29, 12.94
and 10.59% , respectively over control. Application
of Azotobacter showed signicant inuence on zinc
content over control and similar trend was observed
among the treatments where RDN was substituted by
vermicompost and Azotobacter was applied addi-
tionally (T8-T11) as compared to the treatments
where RDN was substituted by vermicompost but
Azotobacter was not applied (T3-T6).
Lower content of zinc in control over the initial
value is the result of no fertilizer or manure or bio-
fertilizer application in these plots. The application
of organic manures has solubilizing eect on plant
nutrients and chelating eect on metal ions resulting
in their increased availability. The increase in zinc
with biofertilizers might be due to its synergistic
eect with organic manures in making availability of
plant nutrients more readily and by solubilizing the
nutrients in the soil in addition to supplying essen-
tial plant nutrients present in them. The ndings are
in conformity with those of Batabyal et al. (2017),
Malavade (2019) and Raut et al. (2019).
DTPA extractable copper
An appraisal of data presented in Table 5 on eect of
integrated nutrient management on DTPA extractable
910
copper showed that copper content in soil ranged
from 1.04 to 1.35 mg kg-1 where maximum value was
observed under treatment T11 (100 % RDN through
vermicompost + Azotobacter), while minimum under
T1 (control). Use of 100% RDF in conjunction with
Azotobacter (T7) increased the copper content in soil
over sole application of 100% RDF (T2). Similarly,
substitution of 100% RDN through vermicompost
in conjunction with Azotobacter (T11) had a pro-
found eect on copper content than substitution of
100 % RDN with vermicompost only (T6). Increase
in copper content by 16.38, 12.07, 9.48 and 6.90%
was observed in treatments T11, T10, T9 and T8,
respectively over the initial value. On comparing
treatments comprising of substitution of nitrogen by
vermicompost without the use of Azotobacter (T3-
T6), it was observed that the highest copper (1.32
mg kg-1) was recorded under treatment T6 (100%
RDN through vermicompost) followed by treatment
T5 (25% RDN through inorganic fertilizer + 75%
RDN through vermicompost) and T4 (50% RDN
through inorganic fertilizer + 50% RDN through
vermicompost). Whereas, treatment T3 (75% RDN
through inorganic fertilizer + 25% RDN through
vermicompost) resulted in lowest copper content
(1.22 mg kg-1).
Low copper availability in control as compared
to initial soil status might be due to the lower nutrient
availability in these plots as no chemical fertilizer, or-
ganic manure or biofertilizer application. Synergistic
eect of treatment combinations of inorganic, organic
and biofertilizers might be attributed due to increase
in availability of nutrients to the plant. Organic com-
pounds in the soil solutions are capable of chelating
solution Cu2+ thereby increasing the concentration of
Cu2+ in soil solution (Raut 2017). Moreover, slow and
steady release of nutrients into the soil system for a
longer period of time by organic manure decompo-
sition results in increased availability of macro and
micro nutrients in the soil. These results are in accor-
dance with those obtained by Batabyal et al. (2017),
Raut (2017), Malavade (2019) and Raut et al. (2019).
DTPA extractable iron
An examination of data presented in Table 5 on the
eect of integrated nutrient management on DTPA
extractable iron depicted that the iron content in the
soil varied from 12.87 to 15.78 mg kg-1 and the highest
iron content was registered with the application of
100% RDN through vermicompost + Azotobacter
(T11) and lowest from control (T1). The treatments
receiving 100% RDF (T2) showed increased iron
content over control, however it was found to be in-
ferior over the application of 100% RDF along with
Azotobacter (T7). Substitution of RDN by vermicom-
post had a positive inuence on the DTPA extractable
iron content and increase to the tune of 13.62, 11.55,
9.99 and 6.81% was obtained with the application of
treatment T6, T5, T4 and T3, respectively over the
initial value (13.51 mg kg-1). Azotobacter showed
positive inuence on DTPA extractable iron content.
Among the treatments with the application of Azo-
tobacter (T7- T11), the highest iron content (15.78
mg kg-1) was obtained from treatment T11 followed
by treatment T10. Further examination of the data
revealed that iron content was higher in plots where
Azotobacter was applied (T7-T11) in comparison
to respective treatments where Azotobacter was not
applied (T2-T6). In comparison to the initial iron sta-
tus of soil, all the treatments showed an increment in
iron content except control which marked a decline.
Addition of vermicompost resulted in higher
iron availability may be due to the fact that nutrients
are released gradually during the decomposition and
mineralization process which maintains optimal soil
levels over prolonged periods of time. Some of the
organic substances released during the mineralization
may act as chelates that help in the absorption of iron
and other micro-nutrients. Lower availability in con-
trol treatment is attributed to poor nutritional status of
these plots. The results are also in authentication with
the conclusion of Batabyal et al. (2017), Raut (2017),
Malavade (2019) and Raut et al. (2019).
DTPA extractable manganese
The perusal of data presented in Table 5 on the eect
of integrated nutrient management on DTPA extract-
able manganese in soil revealed the signicant eect
of dierent treatments on manganese content in soil
over control. The highest manganese content (16.02
mg kg-1 ) was obtained in treatment T11 (100 % RDN
through vermicompost + Azotobacter) while lowest
911
(13.34 mg kg-1 ) was observed under treatment T1
(control). Application of 100% RDF (T2) showed
higher manganese content over control, however it
was found to be inferior over the use of 100% RDF
with Azotobacter (T7). On comparing treatments
comprising use of Azotobacter along with recom-
mended doses of nitrogen applied through vermicom-
post and chemical fertilizers (T7 to T11), treatment
T11, T10, T9 and T8 increased the manganese content
by 20.09, 17.69, 16.27 and 15.89% , respectively over
control. Among the treatments where addition of RDN
by vermicompost was done without the application
of biofertilizer (T3-T6), application of 100% of RDN
through vermicompost (T6) showed higher manga-
nese content whereas lowest was obtained with the
application of 75% RDN through inorganic fertilizer
+ 25% RDN through vermicompost (T3). Increase in
manganese content over initial status was observed
under all the treatment except control.
The increased manganese content due to appli-
cations of inorganic, organic and biofertilizers over
control might be attributed to the synergistic eect
of these combinations which improved the physical
conditions of the soil and sustained availability
of nutrients. Organic manure also supplied macro
and micro nutrients along with organic acids that
improved the nutrient availability in the soil. This
might be the reason for the increase in manganese
content with the increase in rate of substituted dose
of RDN by vermicompost. Low manganese content in
control might be attributed to no fertilizer or manure
or biofertilizer application in these plots. The results
are in testimony with the ndings of Batabyal et al.
(2017), Raut (2017), Malavade (2019) and Raut et
al. (2019) (Table 5).
CONCLUSION
The use of chemical fertilizer or organic manure or
both with or without the inclusion of Azotobacter
improved the soil properties after the harvest of
brinjal crop. Soil pH ranged from 6.77 to 6.86 and
electrical conductivity varied from 0.194 dS m-1 to
0.208 dS m-1. However, they were not signicantly
inuenced by the application of chemical fertilizer or
organic manure or biofertilizer. Substitution of RDN
with vermicompost with or without the addition of
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