Author(s):

Limisha NP and Swadija OK

Abstract: An experiment was undertaken at College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram, to formulate an effective growth medium with greater nutrient availability for container cultivation of elephant foot yam and to standardize the nutrient and irrigation practices that will contribute to higher nutrient availability and thus maximum yield. The experiment was done by raising elephant foot yam var. Gajendra in plastic sacks of uniform size with 12 treatment combinations involving three growth media (M₁ - soil : sand : FYM 1:1:1, M₂ - soil : coir pith : FYM 1:1:1 and M₃ - soil : coir pith : FYM 0.75:1.25:1), two nutrient schedule (N₁ – N and K in three splits and N₂ – N and K in six splits) and two irrigation schedule (I_{1 -} irrigation once in three days and I₂ - irrigation once in six days) with four replications in completely randomized design. After the experiment, the growth media M₃ registered higher EC and dehydrogenase activity followed by M₂. Even though not significant growth media M₂ recorded higher NPK status. Application of N and K in six splits recorded higher pH, EC and available K status in the growth medium than three splits. Irrigation once in three days registered higher dehydrogenase activity in the growth medium. Thus the study revealed that the growth media M₂ and M₃, owing to their higher nutrient availability and minimum weight, and the management practices such as application of N & K in six splits (through organic sources such as groundnut cake and wood ash) and irrigation once in three days can be recommended for container cultivation of elephant foot yam.

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