Influence of cocopeat based medium and nutrient scheduling on leather leaf fern

Abstract

Production and quality of cut foliage in leather leaf fern, is influenced by the growing medium and nutrients. A study was conducted to evaluate the influence of cocopeat based substrates and nutrient doses on production and quality of leather leaf fern. Four substrate combinations along with four nutrient schedules were evaluated. The medium comprising of cocopeat + soil + FYM (1:1:1 v/v) + 2 % Arka Microbial Consortium (AMC) in combination with nutrients @ 100:30:60 kg NPK ha-1 year-1 i.e., full P as basal dose and N and K at bimonthly intervals in six split doses applied to the substrate, produced 9.81 cut foliage plant-1 month-1 with good quality attributes of foliage viz., length of lamina (28.19 cm), length of stipe (19.76 cm), length of frond (47.85 cm), width of frond (22.93 cm), number of pinnae (11.64), stipe diameter (3.06 mm) and prolonged vase life of 30.12 days. Highest benefit cost ratio of 2.18 was obtained in this treatment combination. Chemical analysis of the substrate revealed slightly acidic pH, normal EC, optimum levels of organic carbon, high levels of available N, P, K, normal range of Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu. Leaf nutrient status registered low levels of major nutrient, sufficient levels of Mg, Mn, Zn and Cu and high levels of Ca and Fe. The microbial population was in the range of 104:106 cfu g-1 substrate.