Impact of Drip-Fertigation on Changes in Rhizosphere of Oil Palm 229
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Author:C. Sharmila Rahale and K.S. Subramanian
p-ISSN:0024-9602, e-ISSN:2582-5321, Vol:98, Issue:jul-sep
DOI: https://doi.org/10.29321/MAJ.10.100283
Abstract
A field study was taken up to determine the physical, chemical and biochemical and microbial
changes in the rhizosphere of oil palm trees cultivated under two systems of fertilizer
applications namely drip fertigation and surface irrigation with fertilizer application. Soil
samples were drawn at different depths (0-60cm) to assess the horizontal and vertical changes
occur in rhizosphere of palm. Physical, chemical and biochemical characteristics of the soil
were studied in both systems of fertilizer application. The data have shown physical and
chemical properties were similar between two systems of fertilizer application. The microbial
activities inclusive of mycorrhizal population were distributed uniformly in the entire root
zone (up to 45 cm) in fertigation system while such distribution confined to a narrow zone in
conventional system of fertilizer application. The data suggest that fertigation has direct role
to play in improving rhizosphere activities (microbial population and biochemical changes) in
the entire root zone of oil palm vis-a-vis nutrient availability.
Key words : Drip fertigation, surface irrigation, rhizosphere, soil properties, oil palm.