EVALUATION OF BIO-FERTILIZER APPLICATION TO AMELIORATE THE ENVIRONMENT AND CROP PRODUCTION

An experiment was conducted during 2011-2012 to evaluate the effect of mechanically dried bio-slurry on cabbage growth, productivity, and soil health in terms of nutrients availability at field conditions. to achieve these objectives, a golden acre cabbage field was selected at university of agriculture faisalabad. the soil type was sandy loam and canal water was used for irrigation. randomized complete block design was used in experiment with four treatments replicated four times. the bio-slurry was taken from al-hamd exports at sutyana road, faisalabad. during the growing period of cabbage, data regarding biometric features of cabbage crop was taken. the results showed 20-30% increase in plants density, plants height and root depth, and 10% reduction in unfold leaves per plant in bio-slurry treated plots. it was followed by the treatment in which bio-slurry was applied in combination with chemical fertilizers. the treatment with 100% chemical fertilizers showed least significant effect in improving these characteristics of the crop. the fertilization effect of bio-slurry was evaluated by measuring residual amount of npk and organic matter (om) in soil after harvesting of the crop. the bio-slurry treated plots showed better results as it reside 15% more amount of om and npk in the soil in relation with chemical fertilizer treated plots. a reduction of about 15% in ec of soil was also recorded in the plots where bio-slurry was applied. this showed that bio-slurry application on saline soil can reduce the salinity of soil. the cabbage yield was measured from each plot. it showed minimum yield 45 t/ha and maximum 79.25 t/ha from control and bio-slurry treated plots respectively. it was followed by chemical fertilizer treated plots as 68 t/ha. the results revealed that bio-slurry mobilize the nutrients in soil better than chemical fertilizers. bio-slurry can be affectively used in contrast with chemical fertilizers and can be proved as an efficient soil conditioner as well.