R. GUNASEELI AND R. MAHESWARI
Abstract
Organic matter additions will increase the soil fertility as well as the yield of crops. The effect of compost tea prepared from Parthenium (Pr), goat manure (Gr) and horse manure (1-I') applied as foliar spray is compared with direct application of raw manure to the soil (P5,G5, H5). Compost tea was found to be superior over soil application of raw manure. P' treated greens showed significantly very high biomass with greater iron content followed by G1 and IT treated greens. Similarly Pi treated tomato plants showed significant increase in number and weight of fruits. This in turn could be correlated with the increased availability of micro and macro elements in the soil. Compost tea also helped to suppress the influence of wilt pathogen Fusarium. Control plants showed brown spots and drying of leaves. These symptoms were not noticed in plants subjected to foliar application of compost tea.