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ThesisItem Open Access STUDIES ON BIOCONTROL POTENTIAL OF METHYLOTROPHIC BACTERIA AGAINST Exserohilum turcicum PATHOGEN OF MAIZE (Zea mays)(Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University, Lam, Guntur, 2024-09-27) M. ADITHYA; Dr. V. MANOJ KUMARMaize (Zea mays L.) is the third most important cereal crop grown in India after rice and wheat. Yield potential of maize is mainly affected by various biotic and abiotic stresses. It is attacked by a wide range of foliar and stem diseases at different growth stages. Among the various foliar diseases affecting maize, Turcicum leaf blight caused by Exserohilum turcicum (Pass.) Leonard and Suggs. is the most destructive and prevalent disease causing significant yield loss. Keeping in view of importance of this disease, studies were conducted on the prevalence of the disease in major maize growing mandals of Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh during rabi, 2020-2021. Survey in Guntur district revealed 31.53% of Turcicum leaf blight incidence incited by the fungus E. turcicum. Among the surveyed mandals, the highest disease incidence of 33.65% was recorded in Chebrolu mandal and least disease incidence of 29.55% was recorded in Duggirala mandal. As many as 35 methylotrophic bacterial isolates were isolated from the rhizospheric and phyllospheric ecosystem of maize and their morphological and cellular characterization was done. Morphologically most of them were light pink coloured, round shaped, smooth textured opaque colonies with entire margin and convex elevation. Microscopic studies revealed that most of them were single rod shaped Gram negative cells. Dual culture technique was carried out to evaluate the antagonistic potential of methylotrophic isolates against E. turcicum. The test pathogen was significantly inhibited by all 35 methylotrophic bacterial isolates tested. Five isolates viz., PPM 2, PPM 4, PPM 6, PPM 8 and PPM 13 were found to be the the most promising antagonists among all isolates with mycelial inhibition of 63.12, 61.67, 60.95, 59.68 and 59.42 per cent respectively. Microscopic examinations of the interaction zone revealed distinctive morphological changes in the fungal mycelium, including hyphal thinning, shortening xiv of hyphal septa, swelling, wrinkling, protoplasm disintegration, clustering of hyphae and hyphal tip shearing. Sealed plate experiment was carried out to evaluate the ability of methylotrophic isolates to produce volatile organic compounds. Among all the tested isolates, PPM 2 was found to be superior in volatile production with the appearance of restricted growth of fungal mycelium at their periphery during all hours of incubation followed by PPM 4, PPM 6, PPM 8 and PPM 13. Change in colour of the fungal mycelium from black to white due to the action of volatiles was also noticed. Physiological characterization of the five potential methylotrophic isolates revealed that neutral to alkaline pH ranging from 7 to 9 support maximum growth of methylotrophic bacteria and optimum growth occurs at pH 7. In case of salt tolerance, methylotrophic isolates exhibited maximum growth at 2.5 % NaCl concentration. The growth was decreased with increasing concentration. All methylotrophic isolates showed variable response to antibiotics. All the five potential methylotrophic isolates were tested positive for biochemical characters such as utilization of nitrogen sources, production of protease, amylase, catalase and siderophores whereas, only PPM 2, PPM 4 and PPM 8 poduced auxin. PPM 2 and PPM 8 were found positive for HCN production while PPM2 and PPM 4 exhibited phosphate and potash solubilizing actvity. All of them showed a negative reaction for ONPG, H2S production, methyl red and phenyl alanine deamination. The plant growth promotional ability of methylotrophic bacteria was evaluated under pot culture without pathogen inoculation. All the potential methylotrophic isolates significantly improved shoot length, root length and germination percentage of maize seedling over un-inoculated pathogen control and Mancozeb check. The treatment 7 where co-inoculation of all five potential methylotrophic isolates was done, was found to be superior over all other treatments in enhancing germination, shoot length, root length and vigour index of plants. Effect of methylotrophic isolates in plant growth promotion of maize under pathogen stressed condition was assessed after seed treatment followed by two foliar sprays with antagonists. Co-inoculation of all five methylotrophic isolates was found to be significantly superior over all other treatments in enhancing shoot length, root length, leaf length and leaf width at 60 days after sowing. Among different treatments employed for management of Turcicum leaf blight under green house conditions, treatment 8 where co-inoculation of all five potential methylotrophic isolates was done, was found to be superior in disease control with 46.68% inhibition over control which was found to be on par with the disease reduction by the chemical check.ThesisItem Open Access INTEGRATED WEED MANAGEMENT IN KABULI CHICKPEA(Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University, Lam, Guntur, 2024-08-22) VINUKONDA VENKATA SAI TEJASWINI; Dr. K. SRINIVASULUA field experiment entitled “Integrated weed management in kabuli chickpea” was conducted during rabi 2022-2023 on clay soils at the Agricultural college farm, Bapatla of Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Guntur. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with eleven treatments and three replications. The treatments consisted of T1 : Weedy check, T2: Hand weeding at 15 DAS and 30 DAS, T3: Butachlor @ 1.5 kg a.i. ha-1 as PE, T4: Butachlor @ 1.5 kg a.i. ha-1 as PE fb Sodium Acifluorfen @ 160 g + Clodinafop Propargyl @ 80 g a.i. ha-1 as PoE at 30 DAS, T5: Butachlor @ 1.5 kg a.i. ha-1 as PE fb Fomesafen @ 110 g + Fluazifop-p-butyl @ 110 g a.i. ha-1 as PoE at 30 DAS, T6: Butachlor @ 1.5 kg a.i. ha-1 as PE fb Topramezone @ 25 g a.i. ha-1 as PoE at 30 DAS, T7: Butachlor @ 1.5 kg a.i. ha-1 as PE fb Quizalofop ethyl @ 50 g a.i. ha-1 as PoE at 30 DAS, T8: Butachlor @ 1.5 kg a.i. ha-1 as PE fb Hand weeding at 30 DAS, T9: Butachlor @ 1.5 kg a.i. ha-1 as PE fb Intercultivation at 30 DAS, T10 : Intercultivation at 15 DAS and 30 DAS, T11 : Hand weeding at 15 DAS fb Intercultivation at 30 DAS. The chickpea variety used in the experiment was NBeG-119. Chickpea crop was sown on well prepared experimental plot. The crop was supplied with recommended dose of 20 kg N, 50 kg P2O5 and 40 kg K2O fertilizers as basal. Application of both pre emergence and post emergence herbicides were done as per the treatments. Pre emergence herbicide was sprayed to the respective treatments on the next day of sowing. Post emergence herbicides were sprayed on 30th day after sowing on actively growing weeds as a blanket spray. Hand weeding and Intercultivation were done to the respective treatments. Plant protection measures were taken as per the recommendations of ANGRAU. The data on plant height (cm), number of branches plant-1, dry matter production (g m-2), crop growth rate, relative growth rate, number of pods plant-1, number of seeds pod-1, test weight (g), seed and haulm yield (kg ha-1) and xv harvest index (%) were recorded as per standard procedures. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and the significance was tested by Fisher's least significance difference. The predominant weed species observed in the experimental plot were grasses like Cynodon dactylon, Dinebra retroflexa, Dactylactenium aegyptium and Chloris barbata, sedge (Cyperus rotundus) and broad leaved weeds like Trichodesma indicum, Cleome viscosa, Digera arvensis, Phyllanthus niruri, Parthenium hysterophorus, Euphorbia hirta, Chrozophera rottleri and Physalis minima. Lower density and dry weight of weeds were observed with all the weed management practices over the weedy check. The density and dry weight of weeds recorded with hand weeding at 15 DAS and 30DAS was on par with butachlor @ 1.5 kg a.i. ha-1 as PE fb hand weeding at 30 DAS. Among the herbicide combinations, butachlor @ 1.5 kg a.i. ha-1 as PE fb topramezone @ 25 g a.i. ha-1 as PoE at 30 DAS performed better throughout the crop growth period than other treatments. All the herbicide combinations, except for quizalofop ethyl, showed phytotoxic effect on the chickpea crop. Butachlor @ 1.5 kg a.i. ha-1 as PE fb sodium acifluorfen @ 160 g + clodinafop propargyl @ 80 g a.i. ha-1 as PoE at 30 DAS caused slight phytotoxicity and the crop recovered within 7-14 days after spraying. In butachlor @ 1.5 kg a.i. ha-1 as PE fb fomesafen @ 110 g + fluazifop-p-butyl @ 110 g a.i. ha-1 as PoE at 30 DAS treatments the crop recovered within 14-21 days after spraying. All the growth, yield attributes and yield were found superior in hand weeding at 15 DAS and 30 DAS and butachlor @ 1.5 kg a.i. ha-1 as PE fb hand weeding at 30 DAS over rest of the treatments, whereas, 77.5 % yield reduction was noticed in weedy check treatment. Among the herbicide combinations studied, butachlor @ 1.5 kg a.i. ha-1 as PE fb sodium acifluorfen @ 160 g + clodinafop propargyl @ 80 g a.i. ha-1 as PoE at 30 DAS was found superior and on par with butachlor @ 1.5 kg a.i. ha-1 as PE fb fomesafen @ 110 g + fluazifop-p-butyl @ 110 g a.i. ha-1 as PoE at 30 DAS. Hand weeding at 15 and 30 DAS recorded higher gross returns (Rs.1,56,668 ha-1) but higher net returns were obtained with butachlor @ 1.5 kg a.i. ha-1 as PE fb hand weeding at 30 DAS (Rs. 1,04,783 ha-1) as hand weeding twice was expensive. Higher benefit cost ratio observed with butachlor @ 1.5 kg a.i. ha-1 as PE fb intercultivation at 30 DAS (2.23). Thus, the present investigation clearly revealed that butachlor @ 1.5 kg a.i. ha-1 as PE fb hand weeding at 30 DAS is the best integrated weed management practice for better weed control and monetary terms. Among the herbicide combinations, butachlor @ 1.5 kg a.i. ha-1 as PE fb sodium acifluorfen @ 160 g + clodinafop propargyl @ 80 g a.i. ha-1 as PoE at 30 DAS was found to be superior.ThesisItem Open Access DYNAMICS OF NITROGEN AND PHOSPHORUS UNDER MAIZE - BLACKGRAM - GROUNDNUT CROPPING SEQUENCE IN RED LOAMY SOILS(Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University, 2024-05-23) BELLARY USHASRI; Dr. T. GIRIDHARA KRISHNAA field experiment entitled “Dynamics of nitrogen and phosphorus under maize - blackgram - groundnut cropping sequence in red loamy soils” was conducted (2019-2020) at S.V. Agricultural College, wet land farm, Tirupati. The experimental soil was sandy loam in texture, slightly acidic in reaction, low in organic carbon and available nitrogen, high in available phosphorus, medium in available potassium. All the micro-nutrients (Mn, Zn and Cu) were above the critical limits, except Fe. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design and replicated thrice. Ten treatments viz., control, fertilizers applied at 50, 75 and 100% of the recommended dose (N240P80K80), N240 only, P80 only, FYM (@ 5 t ha-1) applied alone, and in combination with100%,75% and 50% recommended NPK were applied to maize. These treatments were compared with no-fertilizer and manure control. Blackgram was grown following maize without any fertilizer or manure application. It was allowed to grow till maturity, and after two pickings, the stover was incorporated into the soil. On the same field where blackgram was grown, each main plot treatment of RBD was split into three sub plot treatments with three levels of recommended dose of fertilizers viz., S1 (control), S2 (75% RDF) and S3 (50% RDF) resulting in ninety treatment combinations replicated three times in split plot design and groundnut grown as test crop in kharif. Application of organic manures and inorganic fertilizer showed the influence on physico-chemical properties of soil at harvest in maize, the highest organic carbon (0.56%), available nitrogen (110 kg ha-1) and phosphorus (35.1 kg ha-1) in soil were recorded with application of 100% RDF (T3) and this was on par with 100 % RDF+ FYM @ 5 t ha-1 (T8) and 75 % RDF + FYM @ 5 t ha-1 (T9) in case of organic carbon and phosphorus. Among subplots, S2 is significantly superior over S3 and S1 pertaining to available nitrogen (112 kg ha-1) and phosphorus (24.0 kg ha-1). The highest blackgram haulm yield was obtained in the treatment T3 (6472 kg ha-1) where 100% RDF was added to maize. The higher N, P and K uptake of blackgram at flowering was registered by T9 (212, 71.3 and 214 kg ha-1 , respectively). xviii Among the treatments applied to maize T8 (100 % RDF+ FYM @5 t ha-1) resulted in higher groundnut pod, haulm yield and total dry matter of 2426, 2363 and 4789 kg ha-1 respectively. While S2 (75% of recommended dose for groundnut) recorded the highest pod, haulm yield of 2256 and 2443 kg ha-1 and total dry matter of 4699 kg ha-1 and it was superior to the S3 and Sl . The highest available N, NH4-N and NO3-N content of 131, 17.2 and 38.5 mg kg-1 soil were maintained under the treatment T3, where optimum dose of NPK was applied. The values of total, available, NH4-N and NO3-N further decreased, T3 (100% RDF) recorded the highest as 110, 9.5 and 27.3 mg kg-1 at maize harvest. The treatments T6 (17.8 mg kg-1) and T3 (27.2 mg kg-l) showed substantial increase in the NH4-N and NO3-N content of the soil at 50 % flowering of groundnut and decreased at harvest. Among the organic N fractions viz., hydrolysable organic amino sugar N (ASN), amino acid N (AAN) and ammonia N (NHN) were significantly higher with application of 100 % RDF (T3), however, it was on par with that of application of 100% RDF + FYM @ 5 t ha−1 (T8), 75 % RDF + FYM @ 5 t ha−1 (T9), 75 % RDF (T4) and 100% N (T6) under all the crops throughout the cropping period. The subplot treatment S2 (75% of recommended dose) was superior to S3 and S1 in influencing the Olsen P content of the soil. These treatments also maintained higher values of the inorganic P fractions (LB - P, Al - P, Fe - P, RS- P, Occl - P and Ca - P). Among all, calcium bound P (Ca-P) was the most dominant P fraction in the experimental soil, comprising about 15-33% of the total inorganic P, next dominant fraction was the reductant soluble P (RSP), constituting 14 to 22% of inorganic P. Residual P content of the soil was highly variable, with values ranging from 4.5 to 36.5%. Total-N, available N, NH4-N and NO3-N content of the soil at silking stage of maize positively affected maize yield and N uptake at maturity. Organic N content of soil at maize harvest stage could significantly relate with grain yield and stover yield (r = 0.730*, 0.637*), grain, stover N uptake (r = 0.716*, 0.745*) and total N uptake (r = 0.753*). Particularly AAN, ASN and NHN hydrolysable N fractions positively influenced the maize yield, N uptake of grain and stover during all the stages. Among the hydrolysable N fractions AAN, ASN and NHN exhibited significant correlation with total yield and N uptake, at flowering stage (r values were 0.788** and 0.855**, respectively in case of AAN, 0.880**, 0.926** and 0.728*, 0.812**, respectively in case of ASN and NHN). Hyd.N fractions determined at flowering and harvest stages of groundnut influenced yield and N uptake, with UIN exhibiting negative values of 'r'. Inorganic P content of soil at silking stage of maize correlated significantly with total yield (r = 0.707*) and total P uptake (r = 0.772*). The total yield (r = 0.644*) and P uptake (r = 0.664*) by maize were found to be significantly correlated with LB-P fraction at the harvest. Phosphorus uptake by both grain and haulm was significantly influenced by all fractions except Res-P at flowering stage as well as before incorporation of blackgram. Both yield and P uptake by groundnut were direct functions of total, inorganic and Olsen P at before sowing, 50% flowering and at harvesting of groundnut. LB-P during all the growth stages of groundnut was found to influence both yield and P uptake. xix Ammonical-N (NH4-N), ASN and UIN contents of soil at silking stage of maize could explain the variation in maize yield to the extent of 63.1% and at the harvest stage, NO3-N fraction of soil inorganic N could predict the grain yield to the extent of 56.4 %. While pod yield of groundnut was predicted to an extent of 88.0% with the help of UIN, NH4-N, ASN, NO3-N and NH3 - N fractions of soil N. The soil inorganic fractions of P, viz., Org-P, LB-P, Al-P, RS-P and Occ-P determined before sowing of groundnut were found to explain the variability in pod and total yield at maturity to an extent of 98.8 and 98.1%.ThesisItem Open Access DETAILED SOIL RESOURCE INVENTORY OF VARATHURU WATERSHED IN CHITTOOR DISTRICT OF ANDHRA PRADESH USING REMOTE SENSING AND GIS(Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University, 2024-05-23) G.P. LEELAVATHY; Dr. M.V.S. NAIDUThe present investigation entitled ''Detailed soil resource inventory of Varathuru watershed in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh using remote sensing and GIS'' involves study of twentyone (21) typical pedons for morphological, physical, physico-chemical and chemical properties in the Varathuru watershed. Inaddition, two hundred and fifty six (256) surface soil samples (0-15 cm) were collected with GPS coordinates and were analyzed for pH, EC, organic carbon, macronutrients (N, P2O5, K2O and S) and micronutrients (Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn) and were mapped by using ArcGIS v 10.3. The study area was characterized by semiarid monsoon climate with distinct summer, winter and rainy seasons. The pedons occurs in plains (P7 and P8), very gently sloping (P1, P2, P5, P11, P14 and P18), gently sloping (P3, P4, P15 and P17), moderately sloping (P6, P9, P10, P12, P13 and P16), Very strongly sloping (P19 and P20) and moderately steep sloping (P21) topography. All the pedons in watershed were developed from granite-gneiss. The morphological features indicated the presence of AC/AR (P3, P15, P19 and P21), ABC (P1, P2, P5, P7, P8, P9, P11, P13, P14, P17, P18 and P20), A-AB/BA C (P4, P6, P10 and P16) and A-A/B-C (P12) profiles. The soils were shallow to deep in depth, dark reddish brown to light yellowish brown in colour, gravelly sandy loam to sandy clay loam in texture and exhibited single grain, granular and sub-angular blocky structures. The clay content in P3, P9, P12, P13, P16 and P20 exhibited an increasing trend with depth whereas no specific trend with depth was observed in the remaining xvii pedons. Physical constants like water holding capacity and volume expansion followed the trend of clay content. The soils of Varathuru watershed were slightly acidic to moderately alkaline (6.03 to 8.35) in reaction (pH), non-saline (0.02 to 0.40 dS m-1 ) and low to medium (0.04 to 0.74%) in organic carbon. The CaCO3 content was ranged from 0.60 to 8.68 per cent and ESP was low (0.39 to 10.80 %). The CEC values were ranged from 4.68 to 33.49 cmol (p+ ) kg-1 and the exchange complex was dominated by Ca2+ followed by Mg2+, Na+ and K+ . The Varathuru watershed soils were low (25.10 to 262.50 kg ha-1 ) in available nitrogen, low to high (8.91 to 94.05 kg P2O5 ha-1 soil) in available phosphorous and potassium (116.45 to 551.60 kg K2O ha-1 ) and deficient to sufficient (1.75 to 52.56 mg kg-1 ) in available sulphur. The soils were sufficient in DTPA extractable Cu and Mn and deficient to sufficient in DTPA extractable Zn and Fe. The mineralogy class for all these was mixed based on CEC / clay ratio. Based on the morphological, physical, physico-chemical, mineralogical and meteorological data, the soils were classified as Entisols, Inceptisols and Alfisols and these soils were further classified at family level as: Pedons 1, 4, 6, 7, 10, 12, 16 and 20 : Fine loamy, mixed, isohyperthermic, Typic Haplustepts Pedon 3 and 15 : Fine loamy, mixed, isohyperthermic, Typic Ustorthents Pedons 2, 5, 9, 11, 13, 14 and 18 : Fine loamy, mixed, isohyperthermic, Typic Hapustalfs Pedon 8 : Fine loamy, mixed, isohyperthermic, Ultic Haplustalfs Pedon 17 : Coarse loamy, mixed, isohyperthermic, Typic Haplustepts Pedons 19 and 21 : Skeletal, mixed, isohyperthermic, Typic Ustorthents Fifteen (15) soil mapping units at phase level were identified in Varathuru watershed and were mapped into ten (10) soil series. These ten soil series were classified into four land capability sub-classes such as IIIs (VRT3), IVs (VRT2, VRT5, VRT6 and VRT7), IVes (VRT1, VRT4 and VRT8) and VIIes (VRT9 and VRT10). Similarly, the soils of Varathuru watershed were grouped into four land irrigability sub-classes namely, 3s (VRT2 and VRT6), 4s (VRT1, VRT3, VRT4, VRT5, VRT7 and VRT8), 5s (VRT9) and 6s (VRT10). The soil series viz., VRT1, VRT4, VRT5 and VRT8 were moderately suitable (S2) for growing groundnut, redgram and sugarcane and not suitable (N) for growing rice crop whereas the soil series namely VRT2 was marginally suitable (S3) for xviii growing redgram and sugarcane and not suitable (N) for growing groundnut and rice crop. The soil series such as VRT3 was highly suitable (S1) for growing groundnut, moderately suitable (S2) for redgram and sugarcane and not suitable for rice crop. The soil series namely VRT6 was moderately suitable (S2) for growing redgram, marginally suitable (S3) for growing groundnut and sugarcane and not suitable (N) for rice. The soil series of VRT7 was moderately suitable (S2) for growing redgram, marginally suitable (S3) for sugarcane and not suitable (N) for growing groundnut and rice. However, the soil series VRT9 was marginally suitable (S3) for growing redgram and not suitable (N) for growing groundnut, sugarcane and rice crops whereas the soil series of VRT10 was not suitable for growing groundnut, redgram, sugarcane and rice crops Production potential revealed that, actual productivity of soil series were poor, average and good whereas potential productivity of soil series were average, good and excellent. The coefficient of improvement (Ci) varied from 1.43 to 4.46 indicating the implementation of judicious soil and water management practices to sustain soil productivity. Soil fertility maps were also prepared for watershed for various parameters such as pH, EC, organic carbon, available macronutrients (N, P2O5, K2O and S) and micronutrients (Zn, Fe, Cu and Mn) under GIS technology using ArcGIS 10.3 versionThesisItem Open Access SYNTHESIS, CHARACTERIZATION AND EVALUATION OF THE EFFICACY OF BIOCHAR BASED NANO-PHOSPHORUS FERTILIZER ON GROUNDNUT PRODUCTIVITY IN ALFISOLS(Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University, 2024-05-23) M. KAVITHA; Dr. T.N.V.K.V. PRASADThe present investigation entitled “Synthesis, characterization and evaluation of the efficacy of biochar based nano-phosphorus fertilizer on groundnut productivity in Alfisols” was carried out involving three experiments during 2020 and 2021 at S.V. Agricultural College, Tirupati campus of Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University of Andhra Pradesh. Nanoscale phosphorus particles were prepared by the biological method by using Stevia leaf extract as reducing and stabilizing agent. Surface modification of biochar was done through acid wash and gum acacia was used as a binding agent for loading of nano-phosphorous particles. The techniques such as, UV-VIS spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT IR), Dynamic light scattering (DLS), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to characterize the biochar based phosphorus fertilizer (BBPF), biochar based nano-phosphorus fertilizer (BBNPF) and nano phosphorous (NP). The synthesized BBPF, BBNPF and NP mean size was 110.8, 87.6 and 53.7 nm, respectively. A pot culture experiment was carried out to know the effect of different concentrations of BBPF and BBNPF on groundnut plants. Increased plant height, higher values of dry matter, leaf area, phosphorus content and phosphorus uptake and significantly higher yield parameters (number of pod plant-1 , number of kernels plant-1 , kernel weight plant-1 ) in groundnut were recorded with the application of BBPF and BBNPF. xxi Based on the results obtained from the pot culture experiment, the treatments viz., 100% RDP + BBPF @ 10 kg ha-1 , 75% RDP + BBPF @ 10 kg ha-1 and 75% RDP + BBPF @ 8 kg ha-1 , 100% RDP + BBNPF @ 4 kg ha-1 , 75% RDP + BBNPF @ 4 kg ha-1 and 100% RDP + BBNPF @ 6 kg ha-1 were identified as prominent doses and were taken up for field evaluation. The field experiments were conducted during two seasons viz., kharif 2020-21 and rabi 2020-21 in wetland farm, S.V. Agricultural College, Tirupati. The experiments were laid out in randomized block design (RBD) with three replications and ten treatments (with groundnut cultivar ‘Dharani’). BBPF and BBNPF were applied as per the treatments, while nitrogen and potassium were applied common to all the treatments and gypsum was applied (just before flowering stage) @ 500 kg ha-1 . BBPF and BBNPF levels significantly influenced the growth parameters, yield and yield attributes, phosphorus uptake, and post-harvest soil available phosphorus and overall economic returns of groundnut. Higher leaf area index was recorded with soil application 100% RDP + BBNPF @ 4 kg ha-1 (T7). The next best results were noticed with the 75% RDP + BBNPF @ 4 kg ha-1 (T8). At all the stages of observation, maximum dry matter was recorded with the application of 100% RDP + BBNPF @ 4 kg ha-1 (T7). However, nodule count was not significantly influenced by the treatments at different stages of sampling (30, 60, 90 DAS and harvest) during both seasons of experimentation except at 30 DAS during rabi season. With regard to the yield attributes viz., number of pods plant-1 , 100-pod weight, 100-kernel weight and shelling percentage were higher with the application of 100% RDP + BBNPF @ 4 kg ha-1 (T7). The next best treatment was 75% RDP + BBNPF @ 4 kg ha-1 (T8) and lower number of pods plant-1 , 100-pod weight, 100-kernel weight and shelling percentage of groundnut were recorded with the control, during both the instances of study. The pod yield and haulm yields of groundnut were significantly influenced by the soil application of BBPF and BBNPF. The higher pod yield was recorded with the application of 100% RDP + BBNPF @ 4 kg ha-1 (T7). The haulm yield of groundnut increased significantly with 100% RDP + Soil application of BBNPF @ 4 kg ha-1 (T7) which was however at par with 75% RDP + Soil application of BBNPF @ 4 kg ha-1 (T8) and statistically comparable with 100% RDP + BBPF @ 10 kg ha-1 (T6). Lower pod yield and haulm yields were noticed with the no application of fertilizers (T1). Similar trend was noticed during both the seasons of investigation. Soil application of biochar based phosphorus and nano-phosphorus significantly influenced phosphorus content and phosphorus uptake of groundnut at different stages during both seasons of study. The phosphorus content and phosphorus uptake were higher with the soil application of 100% RDP + BBNPF @ 4 kg ha-1 (T7). The lower phosphorus content and phosphorus uptake by groundnut were recorded with the control (T1). xxii BBPF and BBNPF levels failed to exert significant influence on the post harvest soil physical (soil texture, bulk density, porosity and maximum water holding capacity) and soil physico-chemical (soil pH, EC and OC) properties during both the seasons of study. Post-harvest available nitrogen and phosphorus status (soil) were significantly influenced by the applied levels of BBP and BBNP during both the seasons of the investigation. The higher available nitrogen and phosphorus were recorded with the application of 100% RDP + soil application of BBNPF @ 4 kg ha-1 (T7). The lower levels of available nitrogen and phosphorus were noticed with the control (T1), whereas, the effect on available potassium was not statistically significant by the imposed treatments. Post harvest available secondary (Ca, Mg and S) and micronutrients (Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn) in soil were found to be non-significant with the soil application of BBPF and BBNPF, during both the years of study. Among the different treatments, the higher gross returns, net returns and benefit-cost ratio were realized with the soil application of 100% RDP + BBNPF @ 4 kg ha-1 (T7) which was comparable with 75% RDP + soil application of BBNPF @ 4 kg ha-1 (T8). However, lower economic returns were recorded with the crop that has not received any application of nutrients (T1), during both seasons of experimentation. In conclusion, the results of the present study revealed that the soil application of 100% RDP + BBNPF @ 4 kg ha-1 recorded higher pod yield and economic returns in groundnut grown in red sandy loam soils. Further, loading of nano-phosphorus with biochar and the consequent application to the soil enhance the phosphorus availability with an extended period of time due to slow-release activity and thereby sustain the groundnut productivityThesisItem Open Access CHARACTERIZATION, CLASSIFICATION AND EVALUATION OF SOILS OF PALAMANER DIVISION IN CHITTOOR DISTRICT OF ANDHRA PRADESH FOR SUSTAINABLE LAND USE PLANNING(Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University, 2024-05-23) B. JAYASREE; Dr. M.V.S. NAIDUThe present investigation entitled "Characterization, classification, and evaluation of soils of Palamaner division in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh for sustainable land use planning," involved 18 master profiles in three transects with 6 pedons each. The morphological, physical, physico-chemical, chemical, elemental composition, and available and total macro and micronutrients of these pedons were examined. The study area had a semi-arid monsoonic environment with distinct summer, winter, and rainy seasons. The three transects that make up the Palamaner division's research area are transect-I, transect-II and transect-III. Pedons 1 and 2 were situated on top slopes (3-5%), pedons 3 and 4 on middle slopes (1-3%), and pedons 5 and 6 on lower slopes (0-1%) in transect-I. In a similar fashion, in transect -II, pedons 7 and 8 were found on upper slopes (3-5%), pedons 9 and 10 on middle slopes (1-3%), and pedons 11 and 12 on lower slopes (0-1%). In contrast, pedons 13 and 14 in transect III were situated on higher slopes (5–10%), pedons 15 and 16 in the centre of the slope range (3-5%), and pedons 17 and 18 in the lower slope range (1-3%). According to 30 years of meteorological data, the distribution of rainfall was essentially symmetric. Rainfall has strong abnormalities, which symbolises the dry land agriculture in the research region, according to the precipitation concentration index (PCI), which was determined. The seasonality index was above 1.2 in some years, indicating that the study area's rainfall was cyclical with brief dry seasons. The research region comes under the isohyperthermic soil temperature regime and ustic soil moisture regime based on mean air and soil temperatures, with a growing season of 90 to 150 days, supporting a single crop. xxiii The morphological characteristics of the soils (Transect-I) revealed that the upper slopes (Kanalillu, P1 and Kummaragunta, P2) had Ap-Bw and Ap-Bt horizons, while the middle slopes (Chellargunta, P3 and Settipalle, P4) include Ap-AC and Ap-Bt horizon sequences, and the lower slopes' soils display Ap-Bt and Ap-B/A-BA-Bt horizon sequences (Gorreladoddi P5, Chinnapuram P6). These soils have a matrix that ranges from extremely light brown (2.5 YR 8/3) to dark reddish brown (2.5 YR 3/4), however they were sandy loam to clay loam texture. Transect-II soils were made up of Atukurallapalle (P7) and Samalagadda (P8) on the upper slopes, Gangavaram (P9) and Kongavaripalli (P10) on the middle slopes, Maredupalli (P11) and Jidimakulapalli (P12) on the lower slopes. The soils on the upper slopes have horizon sequences of Ap-BA-Bt and Ap-A/B-B/A-Bw1- Bss1, respectively, while the soils on the lower slopes have horizon sequences of Ap-AB-Bw and Ap-Bw1-Bw2-Bw3-Bw4, and the soils on the middle slopes have Ap-Bt1-C1-2Bt1 and Ap-Bt1-C1-Bt2. The soils are fairly deep to deep, sandy loam to clay loam in texture, and dark reddish brown (2.5 YR 3/4) to light grey (10YR 7/2) in colour. Transect-III soils included Zararipalli (P13), Kilapatla (P14), Gandhinagar (P15), Mogili (P16), Gourishankarapuram (P17), and Mittur (P18), and the pedons showed Ap-Bt horizon sequences. These soils were loamy sand to clay texture with a dark reddish brown (2.5 YR 3/4) to light brown (7.5 YR 6/4) matrix. All of the pedons in transect-I have more sand in the top soil, whereas the deeper layers have more silt and clay. Subsoil layers that had a sand to silt ratio of less than 1 showed discontinuities that were similar to those found in field descriptions as well as abrupt shifts like those seen in P1, P4, and P5. P9 and P10, which have comparable horizon sequences in the soils of transect-II and referred to as the C1 horizon features abrupt sandy loam horizons interspersed with sandy clay loam horizons. Sand, silt and clay were present in nearly equal amounts on the upper and lower slopes of the soils of transect-III. In transects I, II, and III, the mean bulk densities of the soils were 1.43 Mg m-3 , 1.45 Mg m-3 , and 1.48 Mg m-3 , respectively. The soils' clay content and water holding capacity tended to expand in comparable ways. The soils of transects I, II and III were low to medium in organic carbon, non-saline, and mildly acidic to neutral. The soils had a C:N ratio that ranged from 4.21 to 11.29 and a CEC of 5.23 to 46.23 cmol (p+) kg-1 . The soils were predominately composed of exchangeable Ca and exchangeable bases were in the order of Ca > Mg > K > Na. Regardless of the slopes and transects, the overall nitrogen content was less than 1 per cent. The total phosphorus concentration ranged from 184 to 745 mg kg-1 , the total potassium ranged from 2000 to 5167 mg kg-1 , and the total sulphur ranged from 200 to 960 mg kg-1 in the soils. The total zinc level in the soils ranged from 18.24 to 60.22 mg kg-1 , whereas the total copper content ranged from 17.06 to 52.75 mg kg-1 , the total manganese content from 112.64 to 386.26 mg kg-1 , and the total iron from 0.87 to 6.47 mg kg-1 . However, the soils of transects-I, II and III have low to medium levels of accessible N, high to medium levels of available P and low to medium/high levels of available K and deficient to sufficient in available S. DTPA extractable Cu and Mn were sufficient whereas, the DTPA extractable iron and zinc were deficient to sufficient irrespective of slopes and transects. xxiv Molar ratios and weathering indices were developed from the bulk geochemical data to comprehend the weathering patterns of these soils. All of the transects' predominant elemental compositions were SiO2, Al2O3, and Fe2O3. P2O5, K2O, and Na2O concentrations in all of the soils were less than 1 per cent. The concentrations of CaO and MgO ranged from 0.82 to 2.67 and 0.22 to 1.62, respectively. Clayeness (mAl2O3 / mSiO2) and calcification index (CaO + MgO / Al2O3) were found as two prominent pedogenic processes using molar ratios. The research area's soils were moderately to extremely worn, according to the CIA index of soils, which ranged from 74.95 to 87.70 per cent. The soils' Index-A and B values ranged from 0.82 to 0.91 and 0.11 to 0.21, respectively, while the CIA-K and WI (weathering index) values ranged from 76.58 to 89.31 and 2.35 to 4.05, respectively. The A-CN-K diagram revealed that granite-gneiss samples were situated above the K-feldspar join, in the centre of the A-K and A-CN lines. This tendency might be brought on by the removal of Ca and Na through plagioclase degradation. Illite formation is further aided by the transition of K-feldspar and illite when kaolinite has not yet formed. The retention of Fe(t) and Mg as weathering continues is likewise depicted in the A-CNK-FM graphic. Pedon 3 : Coarse – loamy, mixed, isohyperthermic, Typic Ustorthents Pedons 1, 8 and 11 : Fine – loamy, mixed, isohyperthermic, Typic Haplustepts Pedon 12 : Fine, mixed, isohyperthermic, Vertic Haplustepts Pedons 2, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 : Fine – loamy, mixed, isohyperthermic, Typic Haplustalfs Pedon 7 : Fine – loamy, mixed, isohyperthermic, Typic Rhodustalfs Pedon 18 : Fine – loamy, mixed, isohyperthermic, Ultic Haplustalfs The soils of the study area were divided into land capability subclasses viz., IIIs (pedon 6), IIIes (pedon 3, 15 and 18), IVs (pedons 4, 5, 9, 10, 11 and 12), IVes (pedons 1, 2, 7, 8, 13, 14 and 16), and VIes (pedon 17). The study area's soils have been divided into four land irrigability sub-classes such as, 2s (pedon 18), 3s (pedons 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10 and 15), 4s (pedons 1, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 16), and 6s (pedon 17). According to the evaluation of the soil-site suitability in the research region, pedons 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18 were not appropriate (N) for rice, marginally suitable (S3) for groundnut and moderately suitable (S2) for maize and finger millet. While pedons 7, 8, 9, and 11 were only moderately suitable (S2) for maize and finger millet, pedons 7, 8 and 12 were only marginally acceptable (S3) for groundnut. Pedon 12 was also only moderately suitable (S2) for rice, groundnut and finger millet. The potential productivity of soils was good to exceptional for most pedons, while actual soil productivity ranged from ordinary to good. The crop improvement factor varied from 1.43 to 1.58, demonstrating the use of wise soil and water management techniques to maintain soil productivityThesisItem Open Access DELINEATION AND MAPPING OF SOIL CONSTRAINTS AND THEIR EFFECTS ON YIELD AND QUALITY OF MANGO (Mangifera indica L.) IN YSR DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH USING REMOTE SENSING AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM(Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University, 2024-05-22) M. BALAKRISHNA; Dr. T. GIRIDHARA KRISHNAThe present study on “Delineation and mapping of soil constraints and their effects on yield and quality of mango (Mangifera indica L.) in YSR district, Andhra Pradesh using remote sensing and geographic information system” was undertaken to identify the soil related constraints and delineate the spatial variability of soil fertility status in order to suggest fertilizer recommendation in YSR district of Andhra Pradesh using remote sensing and GIS techniques. Georeferenced samples (250 Nos) were collected from the study area following spatially balanced sampling technique. The soil samples were analyzed for physical properties like texture, colour, bulk density, particle density, percent pore space and water holding capacity, physico-chemical properties viz., pH, EC, OC, CEC, and free CaCO3 and chemical properties viz., available N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu. Similarly, leaf samples were analyzed for total N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu and fruit samples were analyzed for per cent juice, juice pH, TSS and vitamin-C. In irrigation water, quality parameters such as pH, EC, cations viz., Na+ , Ca2+, Mg2+, K+ and anions viz., CO3 2- , HCO3 - , Cl- , SO4 2- , RSC and SAR were analyzed. Sixteen pedons were selected based on the total area of mango grown in each mandal and were studied for soil properties to know constraints in sub surface layers of soils. xvi The various soil textural classes identified in surface soils were 42.80 per cent was sandy loam, 38.00 per cent was sandy clay loam, 12.40 per cent was loamy sand, 4.4 per cent was sandy clay and 2.40 per cent was clay loam. Texture of surface horizons and sub-surface horizons in pedons varied from sandy loam to sandy clay loam and gravel nature was seen in subsurface layers of some of the mandals. The colour of the soils in the study area had their Munsell colour notation in the hue of 10 YR / 7.5 YR / 5 YR / 2.5 YR with value of 3 to 6 and chroma of 2 to 8. The colour in all pedons varied from very dark red to dark greyish brown with a hue ranged from 2.5 YR to 10 YR, value ranged from 3 to 6 and chroma varied between 1 and 8. The pH of the study area was neutral to moderately alkaline in reaction. Out of total study area 38.80 per cent was neutral, 41.20 per cent was weakly alkaline, 19.20 per cent was moderately alkaline and 0.80 per cent was strongly alkaline in soil reaction. All the pedons of the study area were neutral to moderately alkaline in reaction. The orchard soils were non-saline in nature as the EC of these soils was far below 1.0 dS m-1 . The study area soils were low to medium in organic carbon at surface and low in sub-surface layers. The organic carbon content decreased with increasing depth. Out of all the surface soils of mango orchards studied, 80.00 per cent were low in available N and 20.00 per cent were medium in available N, 5.60 per cent were low in available P, 92.00 per cent were medium in P and 2.40 per cent were high in P. However, about 32.00 per cent were low in available K, 35.20 per cent were in medium range and 32.80 per cent were in high range. The higher exchangeable calcium and magnesium status was observed in all the orchards. In pedons the available nitrogen was ranged from 59.79 to 273.12 kg ha-1 and were low in available nitrogen. The available nitrogen was significantly and positively correlated (r = +0.514**) with organic carbon. The available phosphorus varied from 5.05 to 45.05 kg ha-1 . All the pedons showed a decreasing trend with depth. The available potassium in different pedons ranged from 49.98 to 512.05 kg ha-1 soil. The lowest value of 49.98 kg ha-1 was observed in pedon 10 and the highest was 512.05 kg ha-1 . Calcium, magnesium and sulphur contents recorded sufficient in all the villages of twelve mandals. All pedons showed an increasing trend with depth for exchangeable calcium and magnesium whereas deceasing trend with available sulphur and available micronutrients. The data on micronutrient status in these twelve mandals of the study area revealed that copper and manganese content in almost all soils was sufficient whereas iron (50%) and zinc content (48%) was deficient in the soils of Veeraballi and T. Sundupalle mandals. Two per cent of the leaf samples were deficient in N, 8 per cent deficient in P and 4 per cent deficit in K. N, P, K, Ca and Mg were 42, 12, 14, 2 and 12 per cent low in leaf samples, respectively while N, P, K, Ca and Mg were 4, 50, 16, 18 and 18 per cent were high in leaf samples, respectively. Zn deficiency in xvii leaf was the most severe among the 10 mineral elements tested and 90 per cent of samples were deficient in Zn, followed by Fe (64%), Mn (36%) and Cu (25%). However, the average leaf content of N, P, Ca and Cu was 1.27, 0.12, 2.39 and 8.9 per cent, respectively, which was within the optimum range. The correlation between fruit yield, soil pH and CaCO3 in soil was found to be negative and significant whereas the correlation between fruit yield and soil EC was found to be negative and non-significant Fruit yield was positively and significantly influenced by soil organic carbon content (r = 0.360), because the organic carbon content of the soil had a significant positive influence on soil N (r = 0.716**). The soil mineral nutrients like N, P and K influenced the fruit weight significantly and positively (r = 0.469*, r = 0.446* and r = 0.415*, respectively). Fruit juice per cent had significant and positive relation with soil N (r = 0.353*) and P (r = 0.364*). Soil P had a significant and positive correlation with TSS (r = 0.438*). The pH of the irrigation water samples collected from mango orchards of study area varied from neutral (6.77) to mildly alkaline (8.05). The EC of the irrigation water varied from 0.82 - 3.87 dS m-1 with a mean value of 1.82 dS m-1 . According to the irrigation water EC classification, 76 per cent of the water samples were high in salinity with C3 class and 24 per cent of the water samples were categorized with high salinity (C4 class). The concentration of major anions of irrigation water collected from all the mango orchards were in the order of HCO3 - > Cl- > SO4 2- > CO3 2- and the cations were in the order of Na+ > Mg2+ > Ca2+ > K+ . The general constraints that were observed in the soils of mango orchards were low organic carbon, low to medium available nitrogen and phosphorus, wide spread deficiency of zinc and iron, low to medium Mn, wide occurrence of soil alkalinity, calcareousness and poor quality of irrigation water i.e., high to very high salinity of the irrigation water. Soil nutrients thematic maps were prepared using remote sensing and GIS techniques and delineated the soil related constraints. On the basis of fertility mapping, suitable recommendations were made in the study area in terms of available nutrients. In conclusion, it can be summarized that the new technologies such as remote sensing, GIS and GPS have opened a new era in generating natural resource database to integrate and assess their potential on spatial basis. Integration of GIS in the present study was highly useful in identification of soil related constraints spatially and in generating the fertilizer recommendation maps and soil suitability assessment. Also, by identifying the soil related constraints in the study area, it made clear that there is a need of adoption of soil test crop response based integrated plant nutrition system (STCR-IPNS) and micronutrient recommendations to mango would enhance the crop productivity, fertilizer use efficiency and alleviate the deficiencies over long runThesisItem Open Access EFFECT OF MICROBIAL INOCULANTS ON YIELD AND SOIL FERTILITY IN SUGARCANE (Saccharum officinarum) SHORT CROP(Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University, 2024-05-22) GOBIDESI RAVITEJA; Dr. B. VAJANTHAIntegrated use of microbial inoculants and fertilizers was evaluated for crop response, soil fertility and economic feasibility in sugarcane short crop through field experiment during 2021-22 at Agricultural Research Station, Perumallapalle, Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh. The experimental soil was neutral in reaction, non saline, low in organic carbon and available nitrogen, medium in available phosphorus and high in potassium. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with ten treatments and three replications. The treatments comprises of viz., Control 100% RDF (T1), 125% RDF (T2), 100% RDF + soil application of solid Gluconacetobacter + PSB + KSB (T3), 100% RDF + sett treatment with solid Gluconacetobacter + PSB + KSB (T4), 75% RDF + soil application of solid Gluconacetobacter + PSB + KSB (T5), 75% RDF + sett treatment with solid Gluconacetobacter + PSB + KSB (T6), 100% RDF + soil application of liquid Gluconacetobacter + PSB + KSB (T7), 100% RDF + sett treatment with liquid Gluconacetobacter + PSB + KSB (T8), 75% RDF + soil application of liquid Gluconacetobacter + PSB + KSB (T9) and 75% RDF + sett treatment with liquid Gluconacetobacter + PSB + KSB (T10). The recommended dose of fertilizers for sugarcane short crop is 224-112-112 kg N-P2O5-K2O ha-1 . Solid Gluconacetobacter, PSB and KSB were applied @ 10 kg ha-1 each for soil application. The recommended dose of solid biofertilizers for sett treatment was 10 kg - 1.25 kg - 1.25 kg ha-1 of Gluconacetobacter, PSB and KSB, respectively. Recommended dose of liquid Gluconacetobacter, PSB and KSB for soil xvi application was 1 l, 1.25 l and 1.25 l ha-1 , respectively. Similar quantity of liquid Gluconacetobacter, PSB and KSB was used for sett treatment. Among ten treatments significantly the highest germination percentage of sugarcane short crop was observed with 100% RDF + sett treatment with liquid Gluconacetobacter + PSB + KSB (T8). Significantly the highest dry matter production was recorded with 100% RDF + sett treatment with liquid Gluconacetobacter + PSB + KSB (T8) at tillering, grand growth and harvest stages. Significantly the highest number of tillers, shoot population, stalk population, cane length and cane yield was produced with the application of 100% RDF + sett treatment with liquid Gluconacetobacter + PSB + KSB (T8). Combined application of 100% RDF and sett treatment with liquid Gluconacetobacter + PSB + KSB (T8) resulted significantly the highest N, P, K, S, Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu uptake by plant at tillering, grand growth and harvest stages. Significantly the highest available N, P2O5, K2O and S in soil was observed with the application of 100% RDF + soil application of liquid Gluconacetobacter + PSB + KSB (T7) at tillering and grand growth stage while, at harvest it was at par with 100% RDF + soil application of solid Gluconacetobacter + PSB + KSB (T3). The DTPA extractable Fe and Zn in soil were significantly superior with 100% RDF + soil application of liquid Gluconacetobacter + PSB + KSB (T7) at tillering, grand growth and harvest stages. Application of 100% RDF + soil application of liquid Gluconacetobacter + PSB + KSB (T7) resulted significantly the highest urease, dehydrogenase, acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase activity at tillering and grand growth stage whereas, it was on par with 100% RDF + soil application of solid Gluconacetobacter + PSB + KSB (T3) at harvest. All these enzymes activities were increased from tillering to grand growth and later decreased at harvest. Among the treatments, the highest number of soil microbial population viz., bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes were observed with 100% RDF + sett treatment with liquid Gluconacetobacter + PSB + KSB (T8) which was on par with 100% RDF + soil application of liquid Gluconacetobacter + PSB + KSB (T7) at tillering, grand growth and harvest stages. Higher benefit cost ratio was obtained with 100% RDF + sett treatment with liquid Gluconacetobacter + PSB + KSB (T8) followed by 100% RDF + sett treatment with solid Gluconacetobacter + PSB + KSB (T7). In conclusion, the study indicated that application of 100% RDF along with sett treatment with liquid Gluconacetobacter, PSB and KSB to sugarcane is found to be ecologically and economically feasible nutrient management practice to achieve sustainable yields in Southern Agroclimatic Zone of Andhra Pradesh.ThesisItem Open Access PERFORMANCE OF MAIZE (Zea mays L.) AS INFLUENCED BY THE APPLICATION OF FORTIFIED ZINC(Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University, 2024-05-22) NARASAPURAM RANGASAWMY; Dr. P. KAVITHAThe present field experiment entitled “Performance of maize (Zea mays L.) as influenced by the application of fortified zinc” was conducted on sandy loam soils at Agricultural College Farm, Mahanandi during rabi, 2021-2022. The soil of the experimental field was sandy loam in texture, with neutral in reaction (pH 7.33), low in organic carbon (0.48 %) and available nitrogen (248 kg ha-1), medium in available phosphorus (49 kg ha-1), high in available potassium (586 kg ha-1), low in available zinc (0.54 mg kg-1) and manganese (3.08 mg kg-1), medium in available Iron (7.13 mg kg-1) and high in available copper (0.92 mg kg-1). The design adopted was randomized block design with eleven treatments, which were replicated thrice. The treatments comprise of (T1) Control (100 % RDF), (T2) FYM @ 10 t ha-1, (T3) ZnSO4 @ 50 kg ha-1, (T4) FYM @ 10 t ha-1 enriched with ZnSO4 @ 50 kg ha-1, (T5) Foliar application of 0.2 % ZnSO4 at knee - high stage, (T6) FYM @ 10 t ha-1 enriched with ZnSB, (T7) FYM @ 10 t ha-1 enriched with ZnSB + foliar application of 0.2 % ZnSO4 at knee - high stage, (T8) Soil application of ZnSB @ 5 kg ha-1 , (T9) Seed treatment with ZnSB @ 10 g kg-1 of seed, (T10) Soil application of ZnSB @ 5 kg ha-1 +foliar application of 0.2 % ZnSO4 at knee - high stage and (T11) Seed treatment with ZnSB @ 10 g kg-1 of seed + foliar application of 0.2 % ZnSO4 at knee - high stage. The Recommended dose of fertilizers for maize is 240-80-80 kg N-P2O5-K2O ha-1 . Maximum plant height and dry matter production at knee - high, tasseling and harvest stages were recorded with the application of FYM @ 10 t ha-1 enriched with ZnSO4 @ 50 kg ha-1 (T4). The highest kernel yield, stover yield, cob yield with husk and yield attributing characters viz., cob length, cob girth, number of cobs plant-1, number of rows cob-1, number of kernels row-1 and total number of kernels cob-1 were produced with the application of FYM @ 10 t ha-1 enriched with ZnSO4 @ 50 xvii kg ha-1 (T4) which was on par with application of FYM @10 t ha-1 enriched with ZnSB @ 5 kg ha-1 + foliar application of 0.2 % ZnSO4 (T7) and FYM @10 t ha-1 enriched with ZnSB @ 5 kg ha-1) (T6). The highest content and uptake of macronutrients (N, P and K) and micronutrients (Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu) of maize crop were registered with the application of FYM @ 10 t ha-1 enriched with ZnSO4 @ 50 kg ha-1 (T4), which was on par with application of FYM @10 t ha-1 enriched with ZnSB @ 5 kg ha-1 + foliar application of 0.2 % ZnSO4 (T7) and FYM @10 t ha-1 enriched with ZnSB @ 5 kg ha-1) (T6). Application of FYM @ 10 t ha-1 enriched with ZnSO4 @ 50 kg ha-1 (T4) recorded maximum available N, P and Zn, which was on par with the application of FYM @10 t ha-1 enriched with ZnSB @ 5 kg ha-1 + foliar application of 0.2 % ZnSO4 (T7) and FYM @10 t ha-1 enriched with ZnSB @ 5 kg ha-1) (T6). The highest dehydrogenase activity, bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes were registered with the application of FYM @10 t ha -1 enriched with ZnSB @ 5 kg ha-1) (T6), which was on par with FYM @ 10 t ha-1 enriched with ZnSO4 @ 50 kg ha-1 (T4) and FYM @10 t ha-1 enriched with ZnSB @ 5 kg ha-1 + foliar application of 0.2 % ZnSO4 (T7). Application of FYM @ 10 t ha-1 enriched with ZnSO4 @ 50 kg ha-1 (T4) recorded the highest cost of cultivation and gross returns. Maximum zinc use efficiency, net returns and B:C ratio were observed due to the application of FYM @10 t ha-1 enriched with ZnSB @ 5 kg ha-1 + foliar application of 0.2 % ZnSO4 (T7), which was on par with FYM @10 t ha-1 enriched with ZnSB @ 5 kg ha-1) (T6) and FYM @ 10 t ha-1 enriched with ZnSO4 @ 50 kg ha-1 (T4). In conclusion, the study indicated that application of FYM @10 t ha-1 enriched with ZnSB @ 5 kg ha-1 + foliar application of 0.2 % ZnSO4 (T7) to maize is found to be ecologically and economically feasible nutrient management practice to achieve sustainable yields in Scarce Rainfall Zone of Andhra Pradesh.
