Abstract

Influence of Oxamyl (Pesticide) on the Availability of Nutrients (Major and Micro) and Growth of Tomato and Mustard Plants

Author(s): O. P. Bansal and Viniti Gupta

Effect of oxamyl with time on the availability of macronutrients (N, P, K) and micronutrients (Zn, Cu, Cd, Mn and Ni) from alluvial soil and their impact on growth of tomato and mustard plants was studied. The availability of ammonium- nitrogen initially significantly decreased and then increased, while nitrate-nitrogen and nitrite- nitrogen increased up to 30 days and then decreased. The phosphorus availability, significantly increased with the increase in oxamyl concentration and time, reached a maximum value after 45 days of application. The availability of potassium decreased up to 30 days with the increase in pesticide concentration and then increased with time. The maximum concentration of DTPA extractable Zn, Cu, Cd, Mn and Ni was with 0.3 g of oxamyl kg-1 soil after an interval of 30 days. The decrease in concentration after 30 days of application might be due to decline in the chemical and biological activity of oxamyl in soil. Oxamyl up to 0.3 g kg-1 soil had a beneficial effect on the growth of root; shoot of pusa ruby tomato and up to 0.2 g kg-1 soil for pusa Dophasali mustard. Higher doses were toxic for both these crops.