Post Biomethanated Spentwash : Effect on soil biological properties and yield of sunflower on sodic soil

The field experiment on sunflower was carried out at research farm of Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri during rabi 2008-09 with the aim to study the effect of different levels of post biomethanated spentwash on soil biological properties and yield of sunflower on sodic soil. The experimental soil was sodic calcareous having Sawargaon series of isohyperthermic family of Vertichaplustepts. The field experiment was laid out in randomized block design with nine treatments and three replications. Biological properties were studied at four growth stages i.e. one month after the application of post biomethanated spentwash, at sowing, flowering and at harvest. It is concluded that the integrated use of FYM, chemical fertilizers and gypsum resulted in higher grain yield and improvement of soil biological properties of sodic soil. However, among the various PBSW treatments, the treatment with 180 m3 ha-1 PBSW application was found beneficial not only for achieving higher grain yield but also for improving biological properties of sodic soil.