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Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University, Guntur
The Andhra Pradesh Agricultural University (APAU) was established on 12th June 1964 at Hyderabad.
The University was formally inaugurated on 20th March 1965 by Late Shri. Lal Bahadur Shastri, the then Hon`ble Prime Minister of India. Another significant milestone was the inauguration of the building programme of the university by Late Smt. Indira Gandhi,the then Hon`ble Prime Minister of India on 23rd June 1966.
The University was renamed as Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University on 7th November 1996 in honour and memory of an outstanding parliamentarian Acharya Nayukulu Gogineni Ranga, who rendered remarkable selfless service for the cause of farmers and is regarded as an outstanding educationist, kisan leader and freedom fighter.
HISTORICAL MILESTONE
Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University (ANGRAU) was established under the name of Andhra Pradesh Agricultural University (APAU) on the 12th of June 1964 through the APAU Act 1963. Later, it was renamed as Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University on the 7th of November, 1996 in honour and memory of the noted Parliamentarian and Kisan Leader, Acharya N. G. Ranga. At the verge of completion of Golden Jubilee Year of the ANGRAU, it has given birth to a new State Agricultural University namely Prof. Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University with the bifurcation of the state of Andhra Pradesh as per the Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act 2014. The ANGRAU at LAM, Guntur is serving the students and the farmers of 13 districts of new State of Andhra Pradesh with renewed interest and dedication.
Genesis of ANGRAU in service of the farmers
1926: The Royal Commission emphasized the need for a strong research base for agricultural development in the country...
1949: The Radhakrishnan Commission (1949) on University Education led to the establishment of Rural Universities for the overall development of agriculture and rural life in the country...
1955: First Joint Indo-American Team studied the status and future needs of agricultural education in the country...
1960: Second Joint Indo-American Team (1960) headed by Dr. M. S. Randhawa, the then Vice-President of Indian Council of Agricultural Research recommended specifically the establishment of Farm Universities and spelt out the basic objectives of these Universities as Institutional Autonomy, inclusion of Agriculture, Veterinary / Animal Husbandry and Home Science, Integration of Teaching, Research and Extension...
1963: The Andhra Pradesh Agricultural University (APAU) Act enacted...
June 12th 1964: Andhra Pradesh Agricultural University (APAU) was established at Hyderabad with Shri. O. Pulla Reddi, I.C.S. (Retired) was the first founder Vice-Chancellor of the University...
June 1964: Re-affilitation of Colleges of Agriculture and Veterinary Science, Hyderabad (estt. in 1961, affiliated to Osmania University), Agricultural College, Bapatla (estt. in 1945, affiliated to Andhra University), Sri Venkateswara Agricultural College, Tirupati and Andhra Veterinary College, Tirupati (estt. in 1961, affiliated to Sri Venkateswara University)...
20th March 1965: Formal inauguration of APAU by Late Shri. Lal Bahadur Shastri, the then Hon`ble Prime Minister of India...
1964-66: The report of the Second National Education Commission headed by Dr. D.S. Kothari, Chairman of the University Grants Commission stressed the need for establishing at least one Agricultural University in each Indian State...
23, June 1966: Inauguration of the Administrative building of the university by Late Smt. Indira Gandhi, the then Hon`ble Prime Minister of India...
July, 1966: Transfer of 41 Agricultural Research Stations, functioning under the Department of Agriculture...
May, 1967: Transfer of Four Research Stations of the Animal Husbandry Department...
7th November 1996: Renaming of University as Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University in honour and memory of an outstanding parliamentarian Acharya Nayukulu Gogineni Ranga...
15th July 2005: Establishment of Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University (SVVU) bifurcating ANGRAU by Act 18 of 2005...
26th June 2007: Establishment of Andhra Pradesh Horticultural University (APHU) bifurcating ANGRAU by the Act 30 of 2007...
2nd June 2014 As per the Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act 2014, ANGRAU is now...
serving the students and the farmers of 13 districts of new State of Andhra Pradesh with renewed interest and dedication...
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ThesisItem Open Access TILLAGE AND NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT OPTIONS FOR MANAGING PRODUCTIVITY AND PROFITABILITY OF DIRECT SEEDED RICE – GREENGRAM SEQUENCE(guntur, 2022-08-08) NAGARJUNA, POLAGANI; VENKATESWARLU, B.A field experiment entitled “Tillage and nutrient management options for managing productivity and profitability of direct seeded rice-greengram sequence” was conducted for two consecutive years (2019-20 and 2020-21) on clay loam soils of the Agricultural College Farm, Bapatla. The experimental site was uniform in topography and homogeneously fertile. The soil pH was slightly alkaline in reaction, low in organic carbon, low in available nitrogen, medium in available phosphorus and high in potassium. The kharif experiment on rice consisted of four tillage practices viz., Dry seeding on puddled soil (T1), Reduced tillage (T2), Minimum tillage (T3) and Conventional tillage (T4); as horizontal strip treatments. Five nutrient management treatments to rice viz.,100% STBN through fertilizer (N1), 75% STBN through fertilizer + 25% N through FYM (N2), 50% STBN through fertilizer + 50% N through FYM (N3), 75% STBN through fertilizer + 25% N through cured poultry manure (N4) and 50% STBN through fertilizer + 50% N through cured poultry manure(N5) as vertical strip treatments. All the treatments were randomly allocated in three replications in a strip plot design. During rabi, the experiment was continued in the undisturbed plot to find out the residual effect of the treatments imposed to rice were studied (strip plot design) on succeeding greengram. The cultivers used in the investigation were Samba Mashuri (rice) and LGG 460 (greengram) respectively. xxiv Conventional tillage (T4) recorded significantly higher growth parameters of rice viz., plant height, number of tillers m-2, drymatter production and CGR but were comparable with dry seeding on puddled soil (T1) treatment with similar trend in both the years of study. The lowest growth parameters were recorded with minimm tillage (T3). The influence of tillage practices exhibited non significant associated with respect to LAI, RGR, NAR and SPAD readings. Nutrient combination comprising 50% STBN through fertilizer and 50% N through cured poultry manure (N5) registered significantly the highest plant height, number of tillers m-2, drymatter production, leaf area index at harvest. SPAD, CGR, RGR and NAR were also recorded highest under N5 treatment and were comparable with 75% STBN through fertilizer with 25% N through cured poultry manure (N4) treatment regarding all growth parameters. The lowest growth parameters were registered with 100% STBN through fertilizer (N1) treatment. Yield attributes viz; number of panicles m-2, total number of grains panicle-1, number of filled grains panicle-1 and grain yield panicle-1 were significantly higher under conventional tillage but was comparable with dry seeding on puddled soil (T1). Panicle length and test weight of rice did not alter to an infeasible extent during both the years of study. Application of 50% STBN through fertilizer and 50% N through cured poultry manure (N5) registered higher number of panicles m-2, total number of grains panicle-1, panicle lenght, number of filled grains panicle-1 and grain yield panicle-1 which was however comparable with N4 treatment. Various nutrient management practices did not influence the test weight of rice during both the years of study. Supply of either 100% STBN through fertilizers (N1) or with minimum tillage concept resulted in the lowest yield attributes during both the years of study. Significantly higher grain and straw yields were observed with conventional tillage (T4) and the lowest yields were registered under minimum tillage (T3) during both the years of study. Significantly the highest grain and straw yields were recorded with application of 50% STBN through fertilizer and 50% N through cured poultry manure (N5), which was however comparable with N4 treatment and the lowest yields were exhibited in 100% STBN through fertilizer (N1) treatment during both the years of study. Nutrient content and uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium at different growth stages of rice were significantly influenced by tillage as well as nutrient management practices and the highest values were recorded with conventional tillage (T4) and 50% STBN through fertilizer blended with 50% N through cured poultry manure (N5). Grain nutrient content of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium were uninfluenced by various tillage practices. With respect to nutrient management practices, higher nutrient content and uptake nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium were associated with combined application 50% STBN through fertilizer and 50% N through cured poultry manure (N5) xxv but were comparable with N4 treatment and the lowest yields were registered under 100% STBN through fertilizer (N1) treatment during both the years of study. Analysis of economic return indicated that conventional tillage (T4) was superior to other treatments, however which was comparable with T1 treatment. Further nutrient management supplying 50% STBN through fertilizer along and 50% N through cured poultry manure (N5) registered higher economic return but was comparable with N4 treatment. The lowest economic return was realized with 100% STBN through fertilizer (N1) treatment during both the years of study. Plant height, drymatter accumulation, CGR, LAI, RGR, NAR and SPAD readings of succeeding greengram were significantly affected by residual outcome of diversified nutrient management practices imposed in rice during both the years of study. The residual effect of nutrient supply to kharif rice comprising 50% STBN through fertilizer + 50% N through cured poultry manure resulted in the higher growth parameters, but were however on a par with the treatments N4 and N3. Similarly, SPAD values registered under the treatment supplying with 50% STBN through fertilizer + 50% N through cured poultry manure was also on a par with N4, N3 and N2 treatments. Tillage practices and their interaction with nutrient management practices did not exhibit significant influence on growth parameters of succeeding greengam. Yield attributes, yield, nutrient uptake and economic return of rabi greengram were significantly influenced by nutrient management treatments imposed to kharif rice, but not by the tillage practices or their interaction. Among the nutrient management treatments, conjuctive use of either 50 or 75% STBN through fertilizer + 50 or 25% N through cured poultry manure, respectively; resulted in manifesting significant superiority over the other treatments. Physical properties of soil viz; pH and EC after harvest of rice and greengram were not influenced significantly by either the tillage or nutrient management treatments imposed to kharif rice crop. Total system productivity (total rice equivalent yield) was the highest with conventional tillage (T4) which was however on a par with T1 treatment under various tillage practices. With respect to nutrient management treatments, application of 50% STBN through fertilizer along with 50% N through cured poultry manure (N5) treatment to kharif rice manifested was significantly superiority over rest of the treatments but was comparable with N4 treatment during both the years of study.ThesisItem Open Access STUDIES ON DEFOLIANTS IN HIGH DENSITY PLANTING COTTON-GREENGRAM SEQUENCE(Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Guntur, 2021-12-07) SRAVANTHI, S.; . SREE REKHA, Dr. MA field experiment entitled “Studies on defoliants in high density planting cotton- greengram sequence” was conducted during 2018-19 and 2019-20 on clay soils at Agricultural College Farm, Bapatla. The experiment was conducted in split-plot design with nine treatments and replicated four times using Suraj variety cotton. The main plots were defoliants D1- Dropp Ultra @ 250 ml ha-1 , D2- Mepiquat chloride @ 100 ml ha -1 and D3-Etherel @ 3000 ppm, the sub plots were times of application viz., 80 % Boll Opening (T1), Node Above Cracked Boll (NACB-T2) and Node Above White Flower (NAWF-T3). During the two years of study and in pooled data, defoliants, times of application and their interaction did not alter the plant height and drymatter accumulation significantly from 30 DAS to 120 DAS. At 21 days after defoliants spray, reduction in plant height was observed at all the three different times of application. Mepiquat chloride @ 100 ml ha-1 recorded maximum drymatter at harvest which was on par with Etherel @ 3000 ppm and at 80% Boll Opening recorded highest drymatter, which was found on par with NACB in 2018. In pooled data, interaction of Mepiquat chloride applied at 80 % Boll Opening (D2T1) recorded highest drymatter accumulation. In two years of experimentation and in pooled data, at 21 days after defoliant spray, significantly highest percent defoliation was noticed with Dropp Ultra @ 250 ml ha-1 and 80 % Boll Opening, which was on par with Node Above Cracked Boll. Sympodial branches and total number of bolls plant-1 were not significantly influenced by defoliants and time of application and their interaction. Lowest number of unopened bolls plant-1 and highest boll opening percentage were recorded with Dropp Ultra @ 250 ml ha-1 and 80% Boll Opening. Number of picked bolls plant-1 were more with application of Dropp Ultra @ 250 ml ha-1 which was on par with Etherel during first year, and 80 % Boll Opening which was found on par with NACB during second year. The xv interaction between Dropp Ultra applied at 80 % Boll Opening recorded maximum number of picked bolls plant-1 and highest boll opening percentage. Highest boll weight was recorded at 80 % Boll Opening, which was found on a par with Node Above Cracked Boll. Test weight, lint index, ginning percentage and quality parameters were not significantly influenced by either defoliants, or time of application and their interaction during both the years and in pooled data. Highest seed cotton yield was obtained with application of Dropp Ultra @ 250 ml ha-1 , which was found on par with Etherel @ 3000 ppm and 80% Boll Opening during first year of study and in pooled data. In 2019, Dropp Ultra and 80 % Boll Opening recorded highest seed cotton yield. Maximum stalk yield was recorded with Mepiquat chloride and 80 % Boll Opening which was found on par with Node Above Cracked Boll. Highest harvest index was found with Dropp Ultra and it was found on par with Etherel. Application of defoliants at three times of application had reduced the crop duration during both the years. Degree days were in the range of 260-315 °C days which hastened the defoliation process during both the years. Plant height and drymatter accumulation at harvest of greengram grown after cotton as sequence crop was not influenced by defoliants applied in previous crop during both the years and in pooled data. Greengram sown in Node Above Cracked Boll plots recorded highest drymatter accumulation and was found to be on par with early sown plots. The highest greengram seed yield was recorded under Dropp Ultra which was on par with Etherel. In pooled data, D1 was significantly superior over other treatments. Greengram sown in Node Above Cracked Boll plots recorded highest seed yield and was on a par with Node Above White Flower treatment during both the years and in pooled data.The highest haulm yield was recorded when greengram was sown in Dropp Ultra @ 250 ml ha-1 and Node Above Cracked Boll applied plots which was on par with T3 (Node Above White Flower). Interaction between these two factors was found to be non-significant. After harvest of both the crops, Dropp Ultra received plots recorded highest soil nitrogen and were on par with Etherel in pooled data and soil phosphorus was maximum in Dropp Ultra received plots. During both the years and in pooled data, total cotton equivalent yield was highest with Dropp Ultra @ 250 ml ha-1 (D1) which was on par with Etherel @ 3000 ppm (D3) in 2018 and in pooled data. 80 % Boll Opening recorded maximum total cotton equivalent yield, which was on par with Node Above Cracked Boll. Land Use Efficiency and Production Use Efficiency in terms of yield and returns were highest in late sown (80 % boll opening) plots. The highest net returns and returns per rupee investment were noticed with application of defoliant Dropp Ultra @ 250 ml ha-1 (D1) and at 80% Boll Opening. From the two years trial conducted it can be inferred that Dropp Ultra and Etherel can be used in cotton as defoliants at 80 % Boll Opening and greengram can be grown in sequence in Krishna agro-climatic zone of Andhra Pradesh.ThesisItem Open Access SYSTEM OF INTENSIFICATION AND NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT IN FINGER MILLET-HORSEGRAM SEQUENCE(Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Guntur, 2021-12-07) ALIVENI, A.; VENKATESWARLU, : Dr. B.A field experiment entitled “System of intensification and nutrient management in finger millet - horsegram sequence” was conducted for two consecutive years (2018-19 and 2019-20) on sandy clay loam soils of the Agricultural College Farm, Bapatla. The soil pH was slightly alkaline in reaction, low in organic carbon, low in available nitrogen, medium in available phosphorus and potassium. The kharif experiment on finger millet consisted of three geometries with different age of seedlings viz., 30×10 cm spacing with 30 days old seedlings (M1), 30×30 cm spacing with 15 days old seedlings (M2) and 45×45 cm spacing with 15 days old seedlings (M3); as main plot treatments. Seven nutrient management treatments to finger millet viz., Absolute control (S0), Farmers practice (FYM @ 10 tonnes ha-1 + application of Dravajeevamrutham (S1), Farmers practice (FYM @ 10 tonnes ha-1 + application of Dravajeevamrutham along with wooden log treatment (S2), FYM @ 10 tonnes ha-1 + 100% RDF (S3), FYM @ 10 tonnes ha-1 + 100% RDF along with wooden log treatment (S4), FYM @ 10 tonnes ha-1 + 125% RDF (S5) and FYM @ 10 tonnes ha-1 + 125% RDF along with wooden log treatment (S6) as sub plot treatments. All the treatments were randomly allocated in three replications in a split plot design. During rabi, the experiment was continued to find out the residual effect of imposed treatments to finger millet without disturbing the layout for succeeding horsegram.ThesisItem Open Access CROP STAND ESTABLISHMENT AND NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT IN RICE BASED CROPPING SYSTEM IN NORTH COASTAL ANDHRA PRADESH(Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Guntur, 2021-12-07) .RAJENDRA KUMAR, B; PRASAD, Dr. P.V.N.A field experiment entitled “Crop Stand Establishment and Nutrient Management in Rice based Cropping system in North Coastal Andhra Pradesh” was conducted for two consecutive years (2017 -18 and 2018-19) at the Agricultural College Farm, Naira. The experimental site was uniform in topography and the soil was a sandy loam in texture. The soil pH was slightly acidic, low in organic carbon, low in available nitrogen, medium in available phosphorus and medium in available potassium. The experimentation was conducted during both kharif and rabi seasons and during kharif experiment was laid out in split plot design with three replications. The treatments consisted of two main plots (Wet seeded rice (Drum seeding) and transplanting method) and four sub plots Viz., S1: 100% RDF (Chemical fertilizers); S2: 75% RDF+ 25% RDF through FYM; S3: 75% RDF + 25% RDF through green manure crop (Sunhemp); S4: 50% RDF + 25% RDF through FYM + 25% RDF through green manure crop (Sunhemp). During rabi rice fallow crops viz., blackgram, ragi and sunhemp were sown each where in kharif sub plot treatment which was sub divided into three sub-sub treatments and thus, double split plot design was adopted for rabi and the total number of plots during kharif was 24 (8×3=24) and during rabi was 72 (24×3=72) respectively. The experiment on rice-rice fallow crops sequence was repeated in another site during the 2nd year. Application of 75% RDF + 25% RDF through green manure crop (S3) manifested significantly superior performance in terms of growth characters of rice and other parameters studied, but remained on a par with the application of 100% RDF (S1) during both the years of study. The highest number of xxiii productive tillers m-2 (425 and 404), maximum number of filled grains panicle-1 (138 and 132) and test weight (24.22 and 22.53 g/1000 grains) were recorded respectively during first and second year of study with S3 treatment applied with 75% RDF + 25% RDF through green manure crop but it was on par with S1 treatment receiving 100% RDF. The lowest number of yield attributes were recorded with S4 50% RDF + 25% RDF through FYM + 25% RDF through green manure crop in both the years of study. Significantly higher grain (6166 and 5586 kg ha-1 ) and straw yield (7157 and 7143 kg ha-1 ) were recorded with the application of organic sources with 25% in S3 treatment and 75 % RDF + 25% RDF through green manure crop which was at par with S1 where only (100% RDF) chemical source of fertilizers were used. The lowest grain and straw yields were recorded when nutrient applied with 50% RDF + 25% RDF through FYM + 25% RDF through green manure crop during both the years of study. All the nutrient contents (%) and uptake (kg ha-1 ) i.e., nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium at different growth stages including grain and straw have recorded the highest values with the treatment that received 75% RDF + 25% RDF through green manure which remained on par that was applied 100% RDF in both the years of study. Post harvest available soil N, P and K status was significantly influenced by nutrient management interventions. The N, P and K status in the soil was recorded higher with 50% RDF + 25% RDF through FYM + 25% RDF through green manure crop (S4) which was at par with 75% RDF + 25% RDF through FYM (S2) and was found significantly superior to the rest of the treatments. During rabi significant increase in growth and yield attributes of rice fallow crops (blackgram, ragi and sunhemp) was recorded with the treatment, which received 50% RDF + 25% RDF through FYM + 25% RDF through green manure crop (S4) which was however at par with 75% RDF+ 25% RDF through FYM (S2) during both the years of study. The residual effect of INM treatments iimposed in kharif rice on succeeding rice fallow crops, resulted in higher net return and return rupee-1 investment with 50% RDF along with 25% RDF through FYM + 25% RDF through green manure crop which was at par with 75% RDF + 25% RDF through FYM during both the years of study. Among the three rice fallow crops sunhemp recorded significantly higher net return rupee -1 investment (Rs. 63225 3.62) with 50% organic sources (FYM and green manure) and (Rs. 59097 3.38) with 25% organic sources (FYM) respectively. The second best crop in terms of net return and return rupee -1 investment was blackgram with Rs. 24401 and Rs. 23251 with return rupee -1 investment of 2.08 and 1.99, respectively. However, the crop ragi recorded the lowest net return and return rupee -1 investment.ThesisItem Open Access SITE SPECIFIC NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT IN RICE-BLACKGRAM SEQUENCE(Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Guntur, 2021-12-07) MOUNIKA, DONDAPATI; MARTIN LUTHER, Dr. M.A field experiment was conducted at the Agricultural College farm, Bapatla, during kharif and rabi 2017-18 and 2018-19 to study the “Site specific nutrient management in rice- blackgram sequence”. The experiment was conducted with variety BPT-5204 in a Randomized Block Design with ten treatments and three replications. The treatments comprised of, Recommended Dose of Fertilizer (T1), Soil test based fertilizer recommendation(T2); Targeted yield fertilizer recommendations for 5.5 tons ha-1 (T3) , 6.5 t ha-1 (T4) and 7.5 t ha-1 (T5) ; Treatment T1 + FYM @ 10 t ha-1 (T6); Treatment T2 + FYM @ 10 t ha-1 (T7); Treatment T3 + FYM @ 10 t ha-1 (T8); Treatment T4 + FYM @ 10 t ha-1 (T9); and Treatment T5 + FYM @ 10 t ha-1 (T10). The experimental soil was clay loam in texture, slightly alkaline in reaction, non saline, low in available nitrogen, low in organic carbon, high in available phosphorus and potassium. The application of nutrients was done following the soil test based fertilizer recommendations as per the treatment. Target yield fertilizer recommendations were based on using the target yield equations developed for Krishna Godavri agro ecological region. Significantly higher plant height, drymatter accumulation and number of tillers m-2 were recorded with soil test based fertilizer recommendation with 10 t ha-1 FYM application which was at par with soil test based fertilizer recommendation alone and 7.5 t ha-1 targeted yield recommendation along with FYM (T5 and T10), and RDF with FYM (T6). Application of STFR+FYM application (T7) resulted in higher number of panicles m -2 and filled grains panicle-1 , which were comparable with that of soil test based fertilizer recommendation alone (T2), 7.5 t ha-1 targeted yield fertilizer recommendation with FYM (T10) and found significantly superior over other targeted yield fertilizer recommendation treatments (T3, T4, T9 andT8).Grain yield of rice was significantly higher with soil test based fertilizer recommendation with 10 t ha-1 FYM application which was statistically at par with soil test based fertilizer recommendation alone (T2) and 7.5 t ha-1 targeted yield fertilizer recommendation with FYM (T10) compared to the rest of the treatments. Straw yield of rice recorded with STFR application with 10 t ha-1 FYM (T7) was significantly the highest, but comparable with most of the treatments except treatments 5.5 t ha-1 target yield recommendation (T3 ) and with FYM ( T8 ). Uptake and content of N, P and K in grain and straw at harvest & soil N, P and K status after rice were found significantly higher with the treatments that received soil test based fertilizer recommendation with 10 t ha-1 FYM application, followed by soil test based fertilizer recommendation (T2). Fertilizer use efficiency (FUE) was significantly the highest with application of 5.5 t ha-1 target yield recommendation with FYM (T8) compared to all other treatments. Application of soil test based fertilizer recommendation (T2) recorded the highest returns per rupee investment and found significantly superior to the rest of the treatments. Residual effect of different integrated fertilizer applicationto rice revealed that significant increase in plant height, drymatter accumulation, number of pods per plant with soil test based fertilizer recommendation with 10 t ha-1 FYM application which was on a par with soil test based fertilizer recommendation alone and superior to fertilizer application through targeted yield fertilizer recommendations. Test weight recorded with STFR fertilizer application with FYM (T7), STFR fertilizer application alone (T2) and targeted yield (7.5 t) fertilizer recommendation with FYM (T10) were significantly higher compared with remaining treatments. Soil test fertilizer recommendation application with FYM (T7), imposed to rice resulted in significantly higher seed yield and haulm yield of no till blackgram over other treatments. The highest NPK uptake and content after harvest of blackgram was observed with STFR fertilizer recommendation with 10 t ha-1 FYM followed by STFR fertilizer recommendation alone and 7.5 t ha-1 target yield recommendation with FYM(T10) and without FYM (T5). The highest gross returns are recorded with the residual effect of treatment STFR fertilizer application with FYM (T7) and found at par with that obtained from the treatments T10 , T2 , T5. Maximum rice equivalent yield of blackgram as well as system productivity of rice-blackgram sequence was observed with STFR application with FYM (T7) which was closely followed by incorporation of STFR fertilizer application alone (T2). Considering the overall system productivity of rice –blackgram sequence, net returns and return per rupee invested were recorded with STFR fertilizer application alone (T2) followed by 7.5 t ha-1 targeted yield fertilizer recommendation alone (T5). Overall soil test based fertilizer recommendation with FYM followed by soil test based fertilizer recommendation alone found superior in increasing growth, yield and maximum returns in rice blakgram sequence; however, in consideration of overall system productivity and economics, soil test based fertilizer recommendation alone proved superior in rice -blackgram cropping sequence.ThesisItem Open Access WEED AND NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT IN DRY DIRECT SOWN RICE IN NORTHCOASTAL ANDHRA PRADESH(Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Guntur, 2021-11-22) VIJAYALAKSHMI, KAVITI; PRATAP KUMAR REDDY DEPARTMENT OF, Dr. A.A field experiment entitled “Weed and nutrient management in dry direct sown rice in North-Coastal Andhra Pradesh” was conducted on sandy clay loam soils of Agricultural College Farm, Naira during kharif, 2018 and 2019. The design adopted was split-split plot with three replications. The treatments consisted of four weed control methods assigned to main plots, viz., W1: Unweeded check, W2: Hand weeding twice at 20 and 40 DAS, W3: Pyrazosulfuron ethyl @ 20 g a.i ha-1 at 8-12 DAS fb.florpyrauxifen-benzyl @ 31.25 g a.i ha-1 at 25 DAS and W4: Bispyribac sodium @ 150 g a.i ha-1 at 20 DAS fb. 2,4-D amine salt @ 600 g a.i ha-1 + fenoxyprop-ethyl with safener @ 150 g a.i ha-1 at 40-45 DAS, four nutrient management practices assigned to sub plots, viz., N1: Foliar application of 19-19-19 @ 1% at 20 DAS and 2% at 40 DAS fb.75% RDF from conversion onwards in three splits, N2: Foliar application of 19-19-19 @ 1% at 20 DAS and KNO3 @ 2% at 40 DAS fb.75% RDF from conversion onwards in three splits, N3: 100% RDF (Entire P through SSP, ⅓rd N and ½ K as basal and remaining N and K through top dressing as per recommendation) and N4 : Farmer’s practice and three micronutrient management practices assigned to sub-sub plots viz., M1: ZnSO4 @ 50 kg ha-1, M2: Foliar application of ZnSO4 @ 0.2% twice at 20 and 40 DAS andM3: Foliar application of ZnSO4 @ 0.2% and FeSO4 @ 0.5% each at 20 and 40 DAS. The important weed flora observed in the experimental site consisted of eleven species belong to seven different families. The species observed were Echinochloa colona (L.) Link., Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) Link., Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers., Cyperus rotundus L., Cyperus difformis L., Fimbristylis miliaceae (L.) Vahl., Eclipta alba (L.) Hassk, Ludwigia parviflora L., Ammania baccifera L., Euphorbia hirta L. and Trianthema portulacastrum L. xviii All the three groups of weeds were effectively suppressed at all sampling intervals due to sequential application of herbicides (W3 and W4) during both the years. W3 resulted in significant decline in the total weed density and weed drymatter while, it was the highest with unweeded check. Maximum density of total weeds and weed drymatter were noticed in plots which received 100% RDF at all intervals of sampling.Total weed density and weed drymatter observed in M3 was significantly lower which was comparable with M2. While, it was maximum with M1 at all sampling intervals. Significantly taller plants, tiller number hill-1, leaf area, drymatter production, SPAD meter readings were observed with W3 comparable with W4 and with N3 which was found on par with N1 and N2 and found significantly superior to N4. At all stages of sampling significantly maximum growth stature was associated with M1. While, it was minimum with M3. Maximum number of yield attributes and grain and straw yield were found with W3 which was comparable with W4 and N3 which was however, comparable with N1 and N2. M1 recorded significantly higher number of yield attributes and yield. Significantly higher uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium at tillering as well as by grain and straw was noticed with W3 and N3, while, potassium uptake values were higher with N1 which were on par with N2 and N3. The uptake of these nutrients by rice at tillering as well as by grain and straw was found to be the lowest with N4. Application of M1 found higher uptake values which was however, on par with M2. Significantly lower values of uptake were registered with M3. Uptake of zinc and iron at tillering as well as by grain and straw of rice was significantly higher with W3 which was however, comparable with W4. While, it was found to be minimum with W1. The differences in the uptake of zinc and iron among N3, N2 and N1 were comparable with each other and significantly superior to N4. Higher quantity of zinc and iron uptake was found with M1 except with uptake of iron by grain where, M3 registered significantly higher values. While, the uptake values for zinc and iron were minimum with M3. Post-harvest soil available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium were found to be significantly higher with W1 while, the differences between W3 and W2 were found to be on par with each other. Significantly lower values were associated with W3. Significantly higher post harvest soil available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium were found with N4, N1 and N2 respectively. While, lower values for post harvest soil available nutrients were found with N3. Large amount of post harvest soil available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium were noticed with M3. The higher values for post harvest soil available zinc and iron were registered with W1. While, they were at their lowest with W3 and N4 recorded xix higher values which was however, comparable with N1. Significantly lower values were observed with N3.Significantly large values for post harvest soil available zinc was noticed with M1 while, it was the lowest with M3. Whereas, M3 registered significantly higher values for post harvest soil available iron while, it was minimum with M2. Significantly higher gross returns, net returns and B:C ratio were realized with W3 and while they were minimum with W1. Maximum returns and B:C ratio associated with N3 was found on par with N2 and N1. The gross and net returns obtained with M1 and M2 were found comparable with each other and significantly superior to M3. Higher B:C ratio was associated with M1 and found superior to rest of the treatments. While, the B:C ratio values associated with M2 and M3 are comparable with each other and significantly lower than M1. From the present investigation, it could be concluded that sequential application of pyrazosulfuron ethyl @ 20 g a.i ha-1 at 8-12 DAS fb.florpyrauxifen-benzyl @ 31.25 g a.i ha-1 at 25 DAS along with application of 100% RDF and basal application of ZnSO4 @ 50 kg ha-1 were found to be highly effective and economical package for successful cultivation of dry direct sown rice in North-Coastal A.P.ThesisItem Open Access LIVE MULCHING WITH ANNUAL LEGUMES AND NITROGEN MANAGEMENT ON RESOURCE USE EFFICIENCY IN MAIZE AND IT’S RESIDUAL EFFECT ON SUCCEEDING GROUNDNUT(Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Guntur, 2021-11-22) SRINIVASULU, D.V.; Dr. PRABHAKARA REDDY, G.An investigation on “Live mulching with annual legumes and nitrogen management on resource use efficiency in maize and it’s residual effect on succeeding groundnut” was carried out during two consecutive kharif and rabi seasons of 2015 and 2016 on sandy loam soils of Dry land farm of S.V.Agricultural College, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh. The experiment was laid out in a split plot design with three replications. During kharif, maize was raised by taking four live mulching practices viz., no mulching (M1), live mulching with sesbania (M2), live mulching with sunhemp (M3) and live mulching with cowpea (M4) as main plot treatments and four nitrogen management practices viz., no nitrogen (N1), application of 75 % RDN + 25 % N through FYM (N2), application of 75 % RDN + 25 % N through poultry manure (N3) and application of 100 % RDN (N4) as sub plot treatments. During rabi, groundnut was raised without applying any nutrients in the undisturbed layout of the kharif season to find out the residual effect of the treatments imposed in kharif maize. On pooled basis, among the live mulched annual legumes in maize, sunnhemp and cowpea recorded significantly higher dry matter production, higher phosphorus content and phosphorus accumulation, potassium content and potassium accumulation than sesbania. Similarly, sesbania recorded significantly higher nitrogen content and nitrogen accumulation in the biomass followed by sunhemp. During the first year, no mulching i.e. sole maize (M1) recorded significantly taller plants, higher LAI, higher dry matter accumulation and leaf chlorophyll content at all the growth stages. It also recorded early xxiii tasseling, silking and maturity along with higher values of yield attributes viz., cob girth, number of rows cob-1, number of grains cob-1, grain weight cob-1, test weight (1000 grain weight), grain and stover yield. Higher total nitrogen uptake at all the growth stages, higher total phosphorus and potassium uptake at harvest and higher nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), higher protein content and protein yield were also recorded with M1. During the second year, live mulching with sunhemp (M3) recorded significantly taller plants, higher LAI, higher dry matter accumulation and leaf chlorophyll content at all the growth stages. It also recorded early tasseling, silking and maturity along with higher values of yield attributes viz., cob girth, number of rows cob-1, number of grains cob-1, grain weight cob-1, test weight (1000 grain weight), grain and stover yield. Higher total nitrogen uptake at all the growth stages, higher total phosphorus and potassium uptake at harvest and higher nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), higher protein content and protein yield were also recorded with M3. Significant variation in the weed flora due to different treatments was not noticed during both the years of experimentation. Predominant weed species observed in the experimental field were Cyperus rotundus, Cleome viscosa, Trichodesma indicum, Celosia argentea and Boerhavia diffusa. However, during both the years of study as well as in pooled mean at 25, 50 and 75 DAS, live mulching with sunhemp (M3) recorded significantly lower weed density and weed dry weight. It also recorded higher soil moisture content, improved soil physico-chemical properties, higher soil available phosphorus and potassium, and higher microbial load being on parity with the live mulching with cowpea (M4). With regard to nitrogen management practices, application of 75 per cent of RDN through urea + 25 per cent of N through poultry manure (PM) (N3) recorded significantly taller plants, higher LAI, higher leaf chlorophyll content and maximum dry matter production at all the growth stages during both the years of study. It also recorded higher values of yield attributes viz., number of cobs plant-1, cob length, cob girth, number of rows cob-1, number of grains cob-1, grain weight cob-1, test weight (1000 grain weight), grain and stover yield, higher protein content and protein yield. It was further noticed that substitution of 25 per cent of N through poultry manure (PM) recorded lower weed density and weed dry weight, higher nitrogen uptake at all the growth stages, higher phosphorus and potassium uptake at harvest and higher NUE, higher soil organic carbon content and soil microbial load (soil bacteria, actinomycetes and soil fungi). But application of 75 per cent of RDN through urea + 25 per cent of N through FYM (N2) recorded significantly higher soil moisture content at all the growth stages, soil available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium after maize harvest being on par with the application of 75 per cent of RDN through urea + 25 per cent of N through PM (N3). xxiv Significant interaction between live mulching and nitrogen management practices was observed on plant height, LAI, leaf chlorophyll content, grain yield, NUE, protein yield, weed density and weed dry weight and soil actinomycetes population. Among the different treatment combinations, sole maize with no live mulching and application of 75 per cent of RDN through urea + 25 per cent of N through FYM or PM (M1N2 or M1N3) recorded higher plant height, LAI, leaf chlorophyll content, grain yield, NUE and protein yield. Similarly, live mulching with sunhemp or cowpea or sesbania with the substitution of 25 per cent of N through FYM or PM significantly reduced weed density and weed dry weight, and it also increased soil organic carbon content and soil microbial load. During 2015 as well as in pooled mean, no mulching (M1) recorded significantly higher gross returns and net returns while, during 2016 live mulching with sunhemp (M3) being comparable to the treatment with no mulching i.e. sole maize (M1) recorded higher gross returns and net returns. Among the nitrogen management practices, application of 75 per cent of RDN through urea + 25 per cent of N through PM (N3) recorded significantly higher gross returns and net returns during both the years. With regard to B:C ratio, sole maize with no mulching (M1) recorded significantly higher B:C ratio during both the years. Among the nitrogen management practices, application 100 per cent RDN through urea (N4) recorded significantly higher B:C ratio. Among the different treatment combinations, no mulching along with application of 75 per cent of RDN through urea + 25 per cent of N through PM (M1N3) and treatment with no live mulching + application of 100 per cent of RDN through urea (M1N4) being statistically similar recorded significantly higher gross returns and the reverse was true in terms of net returns. Residual effect of live mulching and nitrogen management practices applied in preceding kharif maize were found significant on succeeding rabi groundnut. Live mulching with sesbania (M2) in preceding kharif maize recorded significantly higher growth attributes in succeeding groundnut viz., plant height, leaf area index, dry matter production and higher leaf chlorophyll content (SPAD values) at periodical intervals during both the years. It also recorded higher values of yield attributes viz., number of gynophores plant-1, total number of pods plant-1 and number of filled pods plant-1, shelling per cent, pod yield, haulm yield and higher oil yield. Live mulching with sesbania (M2) being on par with live mulching with cowpea (M4) recorded the highest total nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium uptake in groundnut and higher soil available nitrogen after harvest during both the years. Further, live mulching with sunhemp (M3) which was however, comparable with live mulching of cowpea significantly improved soil moisture content, soil organic carbon content, soil available phosphorus and potassium after harvest and soil microbial population. xxv Among the nitrogen management practices, application of 75 per cent of RDN through urea + 25 per cent of N through FYM (N2) recorded significantly taller plants, more leaf area index and higher dry matter production, higher leaf chlorophyll content at periodical intervals in succeeding groundnut during both the years. It also recorded significantly higher number of gynophores plant-1, total number of pods plant-1 and number of filled pods plant-1, shelling per cent, pod yield, haulm yield and higher oil yield during both the years. Further, application of 75 per cent of RDN through urea + 25 per cent of N through FYM (N2) in preceding maize also recorded higher total nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium uptake in groundnut and higher soil available nitrogen after harvest during both the years. Application of 75 per cent of RDN through urea + 25 per cent of N through FYM (N2) being on par with application of 75 per cent of RDN through urea + 25 per cent of N through PM (N3) significantly improved soil moisture content, organic carbon content, soil available phosphorus and potassium after harvest and soil microbial load before sowing, at 60 DAS and at harvest. Significant interaction between live mulching options and nitrogen management practices was observed on potassium uptake, soil moisture content, soil organic carbon content and soil microbial load. Among the treatment combinations, live mulching of sesbania along with application of 75 per cent of RDN through urea + 25 per cent of N through FYM (M2N2) recorded significantly higher potassium uptake, live mulching of sunhemp along with application of 75 per cent of RDN through urea + 25 per cent of N through FYM (M3N2) recorded significantly higher soil moisture content at 25 DAS in pooled mean at 30-45 cm depth and higher organic carbon during 2015 as well as in pooled mean. However, live mulching with sunhemp or cowpea along with the combined application of 75 per cent RDN through urea + 25 per cent RDN through PM or FYM recorded significantly higher soil actinomycetes population before sowing of groundnut and higher soil fungi at the time of groundnut harvest, respectively. Live mulching with sesbania (M2) in preceding maize being comparable with cowpea (M4) recorded significantly higher gross returns, net returns and B:C ratio in groundnut. With regard to nitrogen management practices, application of 75 per cent of RDN through urea along with substitution of 25 per cent of N through FYM (N2) or PM (N3) in preceding maize recorded significantly higher gross returns, net returns and B:C ratio in groundnut. After completion of maize - groundnut cropping sequence during 2015- 16, live mulching with sesbania along with the application of 75 per cent of RDN through urea + 25 per cent of N through FYM (M2N2) recorded higher nitrogen gain and live mulching with sunhemp along with the application of 75 per cent of RDN through urea + 25 per cent of N through PM (M3N3) xxvi recorded higher phosphorus gain in the soil, respectively while negative gain in potassium was observed in all the treatments during the first year. After completion of maize - groundnut cropping sequence during 2016- 17, live mulching with cowpea along with the application of 75 per cent of RDN through urea + 25 per cent of N through FYM (M4N2) recorded higher nitrogen gain and live mulching of sunhemp along with the application of 75 per cent of RDN through urea + 25 per cent of N through FYM (M3N2) recorded higher phosphorus and potassium gain in the soil. In maize - groundnut cropping sequence during 2015-16, higher net returns were recorded with the combination of sole maize with no mulching and application of 75 per cent of RDN through urea + 25 per cent of N through PM (M1N3) and no live mulching + application of 100 per cent of RDN through urea (M1N4) recorded higher B : C ratio. In maize - groundnut cropping sequence during 2016-17, live mulching with sunhemp and application of 75 per cent of RDN through urea + 25 per cent of N through FYM (M3N2) recorded higher net returns and B : C ratio followed by M2N2. Finally it can be concluded that, live mulching with sunhemp or sesbania along with the substitution of 25 per cent RDN through FYM was efficient practice for long term benefit of better crop growth, quality, sustainable yield and economics in maize - groundnut cropping sequence. However, live mulching with sunhemp or cowpea along with the substitution of 25 per cent RDN through poultry manure was also identified as efficient in improving the soil moisture content, soil biological properties, weed suppression, phosphorus and potassium availability.ThesisItem Open Access WEED MANAGEMENT WITH NEW GENERATION HERBICIDES IN MAIZE (Zea mays L.) AND THEIR RESIDUAL EFFECT ON SUCCEEDING GREENGRAM IN ALFISOLS(Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Guntur, 2021-11-22) SANDHYA RANI, B.; CHANDRIKA, Dr. V.A field experiment entitled “Weed management with new generation herbicides in maize (Zea mays L.) and their residual effect on succeeding greengram in Alfisols” was conducted at S.V. Agricultural College Farm, Tirupati campus of Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Andhra Pradesh during rabi, 2017-18 and 2018-19 and summer 2018 and 2019. The treatments consisted of atrazine @ 1.0 kg a.i. ha-1 as pre emergence fb one HW at 30 DAS (T1), atrazine @ 1.0 kg a.i. ha-1 as pre emergence fb tembotrione @ 120 g a.i. ha-1 as post emergence (T2), atrazine @ 1.0 kg a.i ha-1 as pre emergence fb topramezone @ 30 g a.i. ha-1 as post emergence (T3), atrazine @ 1.0 kg a.i. ha-1 as pre emergence fb halosulfuron methyl @ 67.5 g a.i. ha-1 as post emergence (T4), atrazine @ 1.0 kg a.i. ha-1 as pre emergence fb 2,4-D amine salt @ 580 g a.i. ha-1 as post emergence (T5), atrazine @ 1.0 kg a.i. ha-1 as pre emergence fb tembotrione @ 60 g + 2,4-D amine salt @ 290 g a.i. ha-1 as post emergence (T6), atrazine @ 1.0 kg a.i. ha-1 as pre emergence fb topramezone @ 15 g + 2,4-D amine salt @ 290 g a.i. ha-1 as post emergence (T7), atrazine @ 1.0 kg a.i. ha-1 as pre emergence fb halosulfuron methyl @ 34 g + 2,4-D amine salt @ 290 g a.i. ha-1 as post emergence (T8), hand weeding twice at 15 and 30 DAS (T9) and weedy check (T10). The experiment was laidout in a randomized block design with three replications. Maize hybrid DHM-117 and greengram variety IPM-2-14 were used in the present study. The predominant weed species noticed in the experimental field were Brachiaria ramosa, Cyperus rotundus, Boerhavia erecta, Cleome viscosa, Phyllanthus niruri, Trichodesma indicum and Borreria hispida. The total weed density and dry weight which includes grasses, sedges, broad leaved weeds as well as total weeds were lower with hand weeding twice at 15 and 30 DAS (T9), which was however, comparable with atrazine 1.0 kg ha-1 as pre emergence fb topramezone 30 g ha-1 as post emergence (T3), atrazine 1.0 kg ha-1 as pre emergence fb tembotrione 120 g ha-1 as post emergence (T2) and atrazine 1.0 kg ha-1 as pre emergence fb one HW at 30 DAS (T1), without any significant disparity among them. The total weed density and dry weight were significantly higher with weedy check at all the growth stages of maize, during both the years of study. xxi Higher weed control efficiency and lower weed index were recorded with hand weeding twice at 15 and 30 DAS (T9), which was however at par with atrazine 1.0 kg ha-1 as pre emergence fb topramezone 30 g ha-1 as post emergence(T3), atrazine 1.0 kg ha-1 as pre emergence fb tembotrione 120 g ha-1 as post emergence (T2) and atrazine 1.0 kg ha-1 as pre emergence fb one HW at 30 DAS (T1) during the two years of study. Highest weed index was noticed with weedy check (T10). Among the different weed management practices evaluated, growth parameters of maize viz., plant height, leaf area index and dry matter production were higher with hand weeding twice at 15 and 30 DAS (T9), which was however, at par with application of atrazine1.0 kg ha-1 as pre emergence fb topramezone 30 g ha- 1 as post emergence (T3), atrazine 1.0 kg ha-1 as pre emergence fb tembotrione 120 g ha-1 as post emergence (T2) and atrazine 1.0 kg ha-1 as pre emergence fb one HW at 30 DAS (T1), in the order of descent during both the years of study, while these were significantly lowest with weedy check (T10). SPAD chlorophyll meter reading was higher with hand weeding twice at 15 and 30 DAS (T9), followed by atrazine 1.0 kg ha-1 as pre emergence fb topramezone 30 g ha-1 as post emergence (T3), atrazine 1.0 kg ha-1 as pre emergence fb tembotrione 120 g ha-1 as post emergence (T2) and atrazine 1.0 kg ha-1 as pre emergence fb one HW at 30 DAS (T1), in the order of descent without any significant disparity among themselves, during both the years of experimentation. Yield attributes, kernel and stover yields and harvest index of maize were higher with hand weeding twice at 15 and 30 DAS (T9), which was in parity with application of atrazine 1.0 kg ha-1 as pre emergence fb topramezone 30 g ha-1 as post emergence (T3), atrazine 1.0 kg ha-1 as pre emergence fb tembotrione 120 g ha-1 as post emergence (T2) and atrazine 1.0 kg ha-1 as pre emergence fb one HW at 30 DAS (T1). Significantly lowest yield attributes and yield of maize were recorded with weedy check (T10) during both the years of study. Higher nutrient uptake by maize and lower nutrient uptake by weeds was observed with hand weeding twice at 15 and 30 DAS (T9), which was at par, with application of atrazine 1.0 kg ha-1 as pre emergence fb topramezone 30 g ha-1 as post emergence (T3), atrazine 1.0 kg ha-1 as pre emergence fb tembotrione 120 g ha-1 as post emergence (T2) and atrazine 1.0 kg ha-1 as pre emergence fb one HW at 30 DAS (T1), whereas, weedy check (T10) recorded significantly lowest nutrient uptake by maize and highest nutrient uptake by weeds, during both the years of experimentation. Higher gross returns of maize were realized with hand weeding twice at 15 and 30 DAS (T9), which was at par with atrazine 1.0 kg ha-1 as pre emergence fb topramezone 30 g ha-1 as post emergence (T3), atrazine 1.0 kg ha-1 as pre emergence fb tembotrione 120 g ha-1 as post emergence (T2) and atrazine 1.0 kg ha-1 as pre emergence fb one HW at 30 DAS (T1), in the order of descent. Higher net returns of maize were realized with atrazine 1.0 kg ha-1 as pre emergence fb topramezone 30 g ha-1 as post emergence (T3), atrazine 1.0 kg ha-1 as pre emergence fb tembotrione 120 g ha-1 as post emergence (T2), hand weeding twice at 15 and 30 DAS (T9) and atrazine 1.0 kg ha-1 as pre emergence fb one HW at 30 DAS (T1) in the order of descent, without significant disparity among them, during both the years of study. Higher benefit cost ratio was noticed with atrazine 1.0 kg ha-1 as pre emergence fb topramezone 30 g ha-1 as post emergence (T3), which was at par with atrazine 1.0 kg ha-1 as pre emergence fb tembotrione 120 g ha-1 as xxii post emergence (T2), during both the years of study. Lowest gross returns, net returns and benefit cost ratio were realized with weedy check. Germination percentage of succeeding greengram crop was not affected due to different weed management practices imposed in maize. Phytotoxicity was not observed on succeeding greengram crop due to pre and post emergence herbicides applied in maize, during both the instances of study. Lower weed density, biomass and higher growth parameters, yield attributes, seed and haulm yields of greengram were observed with hand weeding twice at 15 and 30 DAS (T9), which was however, comparable with atrazine 1.0 kg ha-1 as pre emergence fb one HW at 30 DAS (T1), atrazine 1.0 kg ha-1 as pre emergence fb topramezone 30 g ha-1 as post emergence (T3), atrazine 1.0 kg ha-1 as pre emergence fb tembotrione 120 g ha-1 as post emergence (T2) and atrazine 1.0 kg ha-1 as pre emergence fb halosulfuron methyl 67.5 g ha-1 as post emergence (T4) in the order of descent, due to the residual effect of weed management practices tried in preceding maize, during both the instances of study. Enzyme activity viz., soil phosphatases, urease and dehydrogenase and total microbial population at harvest of maize were statistically comparable in the weed management practices i.e. T2, T3, T4, T5, T6, T7 and T8 and were significantly higher than atrazine 1.0 kg ha-1 as pre emergence fb one HW at 30 DAS (T1), hand weeding twice at 15 and 30 DAS (T9) and weedy check (T10), which inturn were at par among themselves, during both the years of experimentation. In succeeding greengram, enzyme activity viz., acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, urease and dehydrogenase and the total microbial population in soil which includes bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes was not statistically altered from sowing to harvest, due to weed management practices imposed in preceding maize. Herbicide residues were not detected in the soil at harvest of maize with pre emergence application of atrazine 1.0 kg ha-1 or with 2,4-D amine salt 580 g ha-1 as post emergence. Residues of tembotrione 120 or 60 g ha-1, topramezone 30 or 15 g ha-1 and halosulfuron methyl 67.5 or 34 g ha-1 as post emergence application were detected in the soil, but the amount of residues were not sufficient enough to cause any phytotoxic effect on succeeding greengram. Herbicide residues were not detected in the soil at 20, 40 DAS and at harvest of succeeding greengram. Net returns and benefit cost ratio of succeeding greengram were higher with hand weeding twice at 15 and 30 DAS (T9), which was closely followed, by atrazine 1.0 kg ha-1 as pre emergence fb one HW at 30 DAS (T1), atrazine 1.0 kg ha-1 as pre emergence fb topramezone 30 g ha-1 as post emergence (T3), atrazine 1.0 kg ha-1 as pre emergence fb tembotrione 120 g ha-1 as post emergence (T2) and atrazine 1.0 kg ha-1 as pre emergence fb halosulfuron methyl 67.5 g ha-1 as post emergence (T4), in the order of descent during both the years of investigation. Based on the results obtained in the present investigation, it can be concluded that atrazine 1.0 kg ha-1 as pre emergence fb topramezone 30 g ha-1 or tembotrione 120 g ha-1 as post emergence were considered to be the most effective and economical weed management practices to increase the productivity and to maximize the net returns in rabi maize at times of labour shortage and without any residual effect on succeeding greengram and resulted in higher seed yield and net returns of greengram.ThesisItem Open Access CROP INTENSIFICATION IN RAINFED ALFISOLS(Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University, Guntur, 2003) SAMPATH KUMAR, DADIGIRI; SRINIVASULU REDDY, DA study on "rop intensification in rainfed alfisols" was takenup at Agricultural Research Station (ANGRAU), Kadiri (Scarce rainfall zone of Andhra Pradesh), through two experiments, simultaneously for two consecutive years during 2000 and 2001, one with the aim of establishing an efficient groundnut based intercropping system and another to study the possibility and identifying efficient groundnut based sequence cropping system for enhancing the crobping intensity to the extent as maximum as possible in rainfed alfisols. I. \ In the first experiment, groundnut sbwn at 30 cm spacing was intercropped with pigeonpea, castor, sorghum, pearlmillet, sunflower, sesame, greengram and soybean at 7:1, 7:1, 6:2, 6:2, 3:1, 3:1, 3:l and 3:l row proportions, respectively. All the treatments were tried in additive series version of intercropping, keeping the population of base crop (groundnut) in all the treatments at 100 per cent of its sole crop (3, 33, 333 plants ha"), by adjusting the intra-row spacing. In second experiment, groundnut was grown during kharifin all treatments and immediately after harvesting of groundnut, seven shd duration crops viz., greengram, cowpea, sunflower, horsegram, clusterbean, pearlmillet and sorghum were raised in each treatment during rabi. Both the experiments were conducted in randomized block design and replicated thrice, Intercropping of groundnut with pearlmillet or sorghum registered the highest plant height of groundnut, during both the years of study. Groundnut + pigeonpea system resulted in the shortest groundnut plants. Number of leaves per plant, LAI, dry matter production (kg ha- ) and number of root nodules per plant of groundnut were higher with pigeonpea as intercrop, closely followed by intercropping with castor. All these growth parameters were at their lowest with pearlmillet and sorghum as intercrops. Yield attributes of groundnut viz., number of branches, flowers, pegs, total and filled pods per plant; hundred pod weight, hundred kernel weight, I shelling percentage and sound.mature kernel percentage of groundnut were found to be the highest with gi-oundnut + pigeonpea intercropping system, which were however, co6arable with groundnut + castor system. All these attributes were at their lowest, when groundnut was intercropped with either 4' pearlmillet or sorghu,p. I Pod yield (pooled mean) of groundnut was the highest with groundnut. + pigeonpea, which was on par with groundnut + castor. The lowest pod yield of groundnut was realized with pearlmillet or sorghum as intercrops. Haulm yield of groundnut hllowed the same trend of pod yield. Groundnut pod equivalent yield (pooled mean) of intercropping system was the highest with groundnut + castor, which was coinpirable with groundnut + ..pigeonpea. Groundnut + soybean system recorded the lowest groundnut pod equivalent yield, which was significantly inferior to other intercropping systems, except with groundnut + greengram. Efficiency evaluation indices viz., LER, ATER and SLER were found to be maximum with groundnut + castor followed by groundnut + pigeonpea, while groundnut intercropped with greengram resulted in the ,lowest values of these indices. The net gain of soil available nitrogen was the highest with groundnut -k pigeonpea system, while the lowest net gain was associated with groundnut + sorghum. The highest and lowest net gain of soil available P2O5 was recorded with groundnut + pearlmillet and groundnut + sesame intercropping systeins, respectively. The net gain of soil available K20 was the highest with groundnut + soybean system, while the lowest net gain was associated with groundnut + sorghum intercropping system. Net returns and benefit cost ratio were the highest with groundnut + castor system, which were comparable with groundnut + pigeonpea, while the lowest net returns and benefit cost ratio were registered with groundnut + soybean. The highest monetary advantage was realised with groundnut + castor intercropping system, which was significantly superior to all other + intercropping systems, while ihi lowest was associated with grounclnut + greengram system. The highest dry matter production, econoinic yield (groundnut pod equivalent yield) and the econon~ic returns of different sequence crops tried after 1cl.larif groundnut was maximum with clusterbean, which were significantly superior to rest of the crops, while sorghum as the sequence crop recorded all the above parameters at their lowest level, with negative net returns.