Comparative assessment of conventional and organic nutrient management

Application of full dose of fertilizer through organic or chemical sources or their combination resulted higher growth and yield of tomato and sweet corn crop grown in sequence as compared to sub-optimal dose of vermicompost. The effectiveness of chemical fertilizer was better pronounced in increasing crop growth and yield and of vermicompost in improving crop N use efficiency. Vermicompost was found to be effective in producing higher number of larger size tomato fruits as compared to chemical fertilizer application. Vermicompost-based treatments were most promising in improving the quality of tomato through increasing colour ratio, acidity, total soluble solids, ascorbic acid,and carotenoids as compared to chemical fertilizer treatment. Similarly, the quality parameters of sweet corn i.e. ascorbic acid and total phenolics content were higher in VC-based treatment than in chemical fertilizer. Use of organic sources of fertilizers improved the soil chemical properties through increasing the content of macro- and micro-nutrients and organic carbon. The biological properties of soil with regard to microbial count was strengthen when Azotobacter was applied along with vemicompost.