Integrated Influence of Banana Pseudostem Scuture Waste Compost and Mineral Fertilizer on Growth and Yield of Chia (Salvia hispanica)

Abstract

Integrated use of mineral fertilizers with organic sources like compost as a source of nutrients becomes more efficient in terms of boosting growth, increasing yield, and restoring soil fertility and soil health. A field experiment was initiated at the Medicinal Plants and Tobacco Research Institute (ARC) in Tandojam focusing on the cultivation of kalongi seed. The experiment was laid out in a Complete Randomized Block Design with six treatments with four replicates. The treatments were T1. Control T2, Compost+ 25% NPK, T3, Compost+ 50% NPK, T4, Compost+ 75% NPK and T6, Compost+ 100% NPK. The compost was uniformly applied in all treatments except control. The recommended dose of mineral fertilizer NPK (70: 30, 30, kg ha^-1) was applied. Before conducting of field experiment banana waste compost was prepared banana waste fiber extraction unit in the Department of soil science. Banana psuedotem after the fiber extraction scuture waste was collected and blended with sugarcane press mud at a ratio of (70% banana scuture waste+30% sugarcane press mud) to have optimum compost product. The banana scuture waste was applied at the rate of 5 tons ha^-1. The physicochemical properties of soil used for this Chia field experiment were slightly alkaline in reaction with EC 0.9 dSm^-1, respectively. The soil texture of the experimental soil was silty loam, EC (0.9 dm^-1), pH (6.0), OM% (2.7), N (0.25 %), P (25 ppm), K(36 ppm respectively. The results revealed that based on the mean, treatment T5 (Compost+ 100% NPK) applied had the maximum 127.54 cm plant height, 24.16 number of leaves plant^-1, 2.00 cm stem girth, 111.40 g fresh weight, 31.08 g dry weight and 31.10 g grain yield of chia crop. Parallel to this control treatment (farmer practice) had a minimum plant height 71.63 cm number of leaves plant^-1 14.31 stem girth 1.11, fresh weight 51.36g, plant dry weight 10.89 g, and grain yield 9.60 g plant^-1. Whereas T4 compost + 75% NPK resulted in maximum 116.47 cm plant height, 22.14 numbers of leaves plant^-1, 1.76 cm stem girth, 99.46 g fresh weight, 26.95 g dry weight, and 26.86 g grain yield. It was concluded T₄ was statistically and economically significant and had better results for all growth parameters and seed yield recorded in the experiment. It is suggested that growers should apply banana scuture waste compost @ 5 tons ha along with 75% recommended NPK fertilizer by reducing 25% of chemical fertilizer for chia yield, soil fertility soil health, and eco and environmental sustainability under changing climate.