Abstract
A series of experiments were conducted to evaluate encapsulated calcium carbide (ECC) as a potent source of acetylene (C2H2) and its role as a nitrification inhibitor to improve nitrogen economy of soil. Effect of ECC on green pod yield of okra (Hibiscus esculentus L.) was also studied. Laboratory experiment was conducted to monitor the release of acetylene over a period of 15 days from applied ECC. Another laboratory experiment was conducted in plastic beakers to evaluate the role of ECC as a nitrification inhibitor by studying NH4 + and NO3 - contents in the soil after ECC application with and without urea fertilizer. Pot experiment was conducted where recommended dose of P and K fertilizers were used with three levels of nitrogen fertilizer (0, 30 and 60 mg N kg-1 soil) as urea. Encapsulated calcium carbide @ 0, 15 and 30 mg kg-1 was applied two weeks after germination 6 cm deep in the center of pots. Results of experiments showed consistent increase in the concentration of C2H2 from the day first to day 15 while no C2H2 was observed in the control. Increase in the concentration of NH4 + _ N than NO3 - - N in the ECC treated pots up to 6 weeks period compared to fertilizer alone supported the role of ECC as a nitrification inhibitor. About 32% increase in green pods yield was recorded with the combined application of nitrogen @ 30 and ECC @ 15 mg kg-1 soil over recommended dose of fertilizer alone. These findings imply that CaC2 enhanced green pod yield of okra by improving the nitrogen economy of soilA series of experiments were conducted to evaluate encapsulated calcium carbide (ECC) as a potent source of acetylene (C2H2) and its role as a nitrification inhibitor to improve nitrogen economy of soil. Effect of ECC on green pod yield of okra (Hibiscus esculentus L.) was also studied. Laboratory experiment was conducted to monitor the release of acetylene over a period of 15 days from applied ECC. Another laboratory experiment was conducted in plastic beakers to evaluate the role of ECC as a nitrification inhibitor by studying NH4 + and NO3 - contents in the soil after ECC application with and without urea fertilizer. Pot experiment was conducted where recommended dose of P and K fertilizers were used with three levels of nitrogen fertilizer (0, 30 and 60 mg N kg-1 soil) as urea. Encapsulated calcium carbide @ 0, 15 and 30 mg kg-1 was applied two weeks after germination 6 cm deep in the center of pots. Results of experiments showed consistent increase in the concentration of C2H2 from the day first to day 15 while no C2H2 was observed in the control. Increase in the concentration of NH4 + _ N than NO3 - - N in the ECC treated pots up to 6 weeks period compared to fertilizer alone supported the role of ECC as a nitrification inhibitor. About 32% increase in green pods yield was recorded with the combined application of nitrogen @ 30 and ECC @ 15 mg kg-1 soil over recommended dose of fertilizer alone. These findings imply that CaC2 enhanced green pod yield of okra by improving the nitrogen economy of soil
S.R. Kashif, M. Yaseen*,, M. Arshad , M. Abbas. (2007) Evaluation of calcium carbide as a soil amendment to improve nitrogen economy of soil and yield of okra, The Journal Soil & Environment , Volume 26, Issue 1.
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