EFFECT OF NPK AND COMPOST ON THE GROWTH AND VEGETATIVE YIELD OF SPINACH (Spinacia oleracea L.)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at Soil Science Research Field in Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University (HSTU), Dinajpur, Bangladesh. During the period from November 2023 to January 2024 to evaluate the impact of various inorganic fertilizers and compost on Spinach. The experiment comprises six (6) treatments, T1 = Control, T2 =100% NPK, T3 = 100% Compost, T4 = 75% Compost+ 25% NPK, T5 = 50% Compost + 50% NPK and T6 = 25% Compost+ 75% NPK. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The findings indicated that T6 exhibited the tallest plant height, measuring 7.15, 16.85 and 19.09 cm at 15, 30 and 45 DAS respectively. Moreover, T6 also displayed the highest number of leaves (7.01, 10.67 at 30 and 45 DAS respectively), as well as the greatest shoot and root weight (9.73 g and 1.10 g, respectively). T3 also had the highest levels of available S (8.5 ppm) and T4 had highest exchangeable K (0.061 meq 100-1 g soil), as well as T6 had the highest total N content (0.15%). Furthermore, T6 had the highest pH (6.01) and T3 had highest EC (0.09 dS m-1). The maximum P was 25.76 ppm, which was achieved from T2. On the other hand, the T1 treatments exhibited the lowest values for all parameters. This included the shortest plant height, measuring 3.6, 7.5 and 13.26 cm at 15, 30 and 45 DAS respectively. Furthermore, T1 had the lowest number of leaves plant-1 (8.6) at 45 DAS, as well as the lowest shoot and root weight plant-1 (3.93 g and 0.66 g, respectively). T1 also had the lowest levels of available S (3.76 ppm), available P (6.15 ppm), exchangeable K (0.035 meq 100-1 g soil), total N (0.08 %), pH (5.36), and electrical conductivity (0.05 dS m-1). 25% Compost and 75% NPK was recommended for farmer's field. Further investigation will be needed in different AEZ and in different soil types.