EFFECT OF DIFFERENT SOIL MIXTURES ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF GREEN AMARANTH FOR ROOFTOP GARDENING

Abstract

A pot experiment was conducted to assess the role of soil mixtures on growth and yield of green amaranth for rooftop production during October to December, 2023 at the net house of the Department of Soil Science, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University (HSTU), Dinajpur-5200. The experiment comprises seven (7) treatments, T1 = control (only soil), T2 = 50% soil + 20% cow dung (CD) + 20% vermicompost (VC) + 5% sand + 5% coco dust + 2.0 g kg-1 bone meal powder, T3 = 45% soil + 20% CD + 25% VC + 5% sand + 5% coco dust + 1.5 g kg-1 bone meal powder, T4 = 45% soil + 25% CD + 20% VC + 5% sand + 5% coco dust + 1.5 g kg-1 bone meal powder, T5 = 40% soil + 20% CD + 20% VC + 15% sand + 5% coco dust + 2.0 g kg-1 bone meal powder, T6 = 35% soil + 25% CD + 25% VC + 10% sand + 5% coco dust + 1.0 g kg-1 bone meal powder, T7 = 35% soil + 25% CD + 25% VC + 5% sand + 10% coco dust + 1.0 g kg-1 bone meal powder. The design was completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications and so the total pot number was 21. The result revealed that the maximum plant height (37 and 41.33 cm at 30 and 45 DAS, respectively), the highest number of leaves plant-1 was observed at T 7 (14 at 30 DAS and 15.00 at 45 DAS, respectively) , the highest fresh weight and dry weight plant-1 (83.13 g and 9.24 g, respectively). The lowest plant height was 18.66 and 23.33 at 30 and 45 DAS, respectively and leaf number 7.33 and 9.00 at 30 and 45 DAS, respectively at T2 treatment. The Lowest value was observed in T2 treatments regarding parameters i.e., plant height and leaf number after 30 and 45 DAS, respectively.The lowest fresh weight and dry weight plant-1 were observed at T2 treatment. The lowest pH (6.16) at T4, the lowest available sulphur at T 1 treatment (8.53 ppm). Maximum pH value (6.86), the highest organic carbon (0.70%), highest total nitrogen (0.19%) and the maximum amount of available sulphur (13.85 ppm) was recorded from T7 treatment. The lowest available phosphorous (11.85 ppm) at T 1 treatment, the lowest exchangeable potassium (0.06 meq/100g) at T 2, the lowest total nitrogen (0.08%) at T1 treatment, the lowest EC (0.08 mS cm-1) at T 3 treatment, the lowest organic carbon (0.57%) at T6 treatment. Based on the findings above, the best soil mixture at T7 treatment (35% soil + 25% CD + 25% VC + 5% sand + 10% coco dust + 1.0 g kg-1 bone meal powder) may be suggested in improving growth and yield of green amaranth for rooftop production.