THE EFFECT OF in-situ GROWN Pueraria phaseoloides ON NUTRIENT STATUS OF COCONUT-GROWN SOILS AND COCONUT YIELD IN LOW COUNTRY WET ZONE OF SRI LANKA

Abstract

Despite the promise of organic mar ures in enhancing/maintaining fertility and productivity ofsoils devoted for perennial crops like coconuts, its adoption by farmers is low mainly due totheir lack of availability in required quantities. In-situ cultivation and incorporation of greenmanure crops is increasingly being considered as a viable alternative for ex-situ organic manure.This study analyses the effect of tn-situ grown Pueraria phaseoloides on nutrient status ofcoconut-grown soils and on coconut yield in low country WetZone of Sri Lanka. The treatmentswere without Pueraria cover with recommended inorganic fertilizer application to coconutpalms, growing Pueraria with recommended inorganic fertilizer application to coconut palmsand growing Pueraria without nitregen fertilizer application to coconut palms. The nitrogen,phosphorous and potassium content in the soil where Pueraria was grown was significantlyhigher than in soil without Puererra cover irrespective of the nitrogen fertilizer application.Higher organic matter content, cation exchange capacity, water holding capacity and ideal soilpH for the growth of coconut palm were observed in Pueraria grown soil. The results revealedthat the in-situ cultivation and application of Pueraria positively affected coconut yield