Abstract

Field experiments were conducted in Southern and Western Zones of Tamil Nadu to evaluate the Soil Test Crop Response based fertilizer prescription model under Integrated Plant Nutrition System (STCR-IPNS) for desired yield targets of radish on red calcareous soils (Palathurai series-Typic Rhodustalf). The treatments include control, blanket recommendation, soil test crop response (STCR) based fertilizer dose for an yield target of 40 t ha-1 and 50 t ha-1, STCR-IPNS based fertilizer dose for an yield target of 40 t ha-1 and 50 t ha-1 and farmer’s practice. The results of the experiments indicated that, in all the six trials, the per cent achievement of the targeted yield was within ± 10 per cent variation proving the validity of the equations for prescribing integrated fertilizer doses for radish. The highest mean per cent achievement was recorded with STCR - IPNS - 50 t ha-1 (101.3) followed by STCR-NPK alone 50 t ha-1. The highest mean yield was recorded in STCR-IPNS - 50 t ha-1 (50.6 t ha-1) recording an increase of 56.7 per cent over blanket recommendation and 69.0 per cent over farmer’s practice. Among the treatments, STCR-IPNS-50 t ha-1 recorded relatively higher RR (81.3 kg kg-1) and BCR (2.24) than other treatments. Post-harvest soil available NPK indicated the build up and maintenance of soil fertility due to soil test based fertilizer recommendation under IPNS.

Keywords: Alfisol, Fertilizer prescription, radish, STCR-IPNS