Enhancing Soil Health and Nutrient availability in Neem Plantations with Organic manures and fertilizers

Abstract

Abstract Organic farming provides an alternative approach that employs environmentally friendly practices, excluding the use of chemical inputs. Biofertilizers, which contain beneficial microorganisms, present a sustainable solution by enhancing plant growth, improving nutrient availability, and enhancing soil quality while reducing the dependence on synthetic chemicals. In a field experiment at Coromandel International Private Limited, Tirunelveli, various combinations of organic manures and fertilizers with sixteen treatments were used to assess the impact of these combinations on soil physiochemical properties, nutrient status, microbial activities and soil organic carbon. The results demonstrated that the combination of the Azotobacter, Phosphobacteria, VAM, and Vermicompost treatments led to enhancements in soil physicochemical properties, such as pH (6.98), EC (0.28 d Sm− 1) and organic carbon (0. an increase in nutrient availability, including available nitrogen (282.79 kg/ha), phosphorus (75.38 kg/ha), potassium (415.28 kg/ha), micronutrients (Fe-5.69 kg/ha, Zn-0.44 kg/ha, Mn-0.73 kg/ha and Cu-0.48 kg/ha), and the growth of beneficial microorganisms, such as fungi (18.61 × 10− 7 cfu g− 1), bacteria (35.45 × 10− 7 cfu g− 1), and actinomycetes (23.44 × 10− 7 cfu g− 1). The study also revealed positive correlations between nutrient availability and soil organic carbon content and between nutrient availability and microbial populations. These findings underscore the potential of organic farming practices and biofertilizers to contribute to sustainable agriculture.