Effect of organic amendments on growth and yield of brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) and physico–chemical properties of Alfisols of Tamirabarani tract

A field experiment was conducted during February–May of 2023–2024 at V.O. Chidambaranar Agricultural College and Research Institute, Killikulam, to evaluate and study the effect of organic amendments with the combination of soil test crop response (STCR) based inorganic fertilizers on crop productivity, nutrient uptake, economic and soil fertility of brinjal (KKM 1). The experiment was carried out in a split–plot design replicated thrice with 3 main plots (M1, M2, M3) and 4 subplot (S1, S2, S3, S4) treatments. In comparison to the control, the application of 100% STCR NPK + 12.5 t ha-1 vermicompost resulted in significantly higher plant height (cm), days to first flowering, number of branches per plant, number of fruits per plant, fruit weight per plant (g), fruit yield (t ha-1), benefit-cost ratio (B:C ratio) and N, P and K uptake (kg ha-1). However, higher plant heights, number of branches per plant, days to first flowering, fruit yield, B:C ratio and N, P and K uptake were observed in 100% STCR NPK combined with 12.5 t ha-1 of organic manures. When 100% STCR NPK + 12.5 t ha-1 vermicompost was used, there was a notable build-up of organic carbon (0.49%), available N (248 kg ha-1), available P (13.33 kg ha-1), and available K (184 kg ha-1). It is believed that 12.5 t ha-1 municipal solid waste compost (MSWC) is a better alternative to other organic manures for the environmentally friendly, and also, the B:C ratio of this treatment was 4.48 compared to others.