Rhizosphere microflora of noni (Morinda citrifolia) as influenced by organic manures and drip irrigation
Keywords:
Morinda citrifolia, drip irrigation, farmyard manure, vermicompost, inorganic fertilizers, microbial population,, organic matter decomposition.Abstract
An experiment was conducted at Horticultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural
University, Periyakulam to elucidate the effect of different irrigation regimes and organic manures on
rhizosphere microbial population of noni (Morinda citrifolia). The trial was carried out in split plot design with
irrigation regimes on main plot (four levels) and organic manures on sub plot (eight levels) with two
replications. Among the different treatment combinations, M2S4 (100% WRc through drip irrigation + 50%
farmyard manure + 50% vermicompost) registered the highest rhizosphere bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes,
Azotobacter, Azospirillum and phosphobacteria population. The same treatment also recorded the highest
score for organic matter decomposition. The rhizosphere microflora activity and organic matter decomposition
was found to be the lowest in M4S7 (check basin method of irrigation + 100% recommended dose of NPK
through inorganic fertilizers).
