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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 QUANTIFICATION OF AGRO ECOSYSTEMS HEALTH IN MAIZE GROWING TRACTS OF GUNTUR DISTRICT RECEIVING SEWAGE WATER IRRIGATION(Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University, 2023-12-02) APPICHI KAVITHA; V. VISALAKSHMIA field survey based study was conducted entitled “Quantification of Agroecosystems Health in Maize growing tracts of Guntur District receiving sewage water irrigation” was undertaken at the Department of Soil Science, Agricultural college Bapatla, ANGRAU during Rabi 2021-22 to assess the impact of untreated sewage water and ground water on soil and maize crop. Twenty five locations were selected in Chebrolu to observe the effect of sewage water irrigation on physical, chemical and biological properties of soils in comparison to the ground water irrigation. The four sewage irrigated villages selected under study were Suddapalle, Vejendla, Selapadu, and Sekuru and three ground water irrigated villages were Thotapalem, Vetapalem and Tsunduru. The sewage as well as ground water quality was tested. The soil samples were collected at pre-sowing stage and harvest stage of maize crop from sewage irrigated fields and ground water irrigated fields of 25 locations separately. Sewage water and ground water samples collected from 25 locations in the month of February, 2022 during post-monsoon season. Maize samples (Root, Stalk and Grain) were collected from same locations at the time of harvest. Physico-chemical and chemical characteristics of the collected sewage water, soil, ground water and maize samples were analysed. The pH and Electrical Conductivity of untreated sewage water used for irrigation in peri- urban areas of Guntur district ranged from 7.57 to 8.60 and 1.23 to 2.30 where as in ground water varied from 6.30 to 7.30 and 0.45 to 1.70 dSm-1 respectively indicating that the sewage water is alkaline, marginally saline in nature. Carbonates, bicarbonates, sulphates, chlorides, sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium concentrations ranged from0.4 to 1.4, 9.2 to 13.4, 1.37 to 2.23, 4.08 to 6.40, 5.40 to 8.20, 0.6 to 1.5, 3.30 to 5.00 and 1.73 to 2.90 where as in ground water 0.1 to 0.5, 1.00 to 1.90, 0.04 to 0.5, 0.50 to 2.30, 0.8 to 2.3, 0.01 to 0.5, 1.12 to 1.96 and 0.2 to 1.10 me L-1 respectively. Sodium Adsorption Ratio, Author : APPICHI KAVITHA Title of the thesis : QUANTIFICATION OF AGROECOSYTEMS HEALTH IN MAIZE GROWING TRACTS OF GUNTUR DISTRICT RECEIVING SEWAGE WATER IRRIGATION Degree : MASTER OF SCIENCE IN AGRICULTURE Faculty : AGRICULTURE Discipline : ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES Major Advisor : Dr. V. VISALAKSHMI University : ACHARYA N.G. RANGA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY Year of submission : 2022 xv Residual Sodium Carbonate content in sewage water were in the range of 2.70 to 4.10 and 4.1 to 7.00 where as in ground water 0.40 to1.15 and 0.36 to 1.96 me l-1 respectively. Total Dissolved solids (TDS), Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) in sewage water ranged from 844 to 1472, 110 to 152 mg L-1 and 195 to 245 where as in ground water 288 to 1088, 35 to 89 and 92 to 180 mg L-1 respectively. The micronutrients Iron, Copper, Zinc and Manganese of sewage water ranged from 6.93 to 9.62, 1.12 to 1.93, 2.14 to 4.20 and 2.93 to 5.76 where as in ground water 0.01 to 0.08, 0.02 to 0.08, 0.02 to 0.08 and 0.01 to 0.08 mg L-1 respectively. It indicates that sewage water have more micronutrients compared to ground water. Heavy metals Chromium, Cobalt, Nickel, Cadmium and Lead of sewage water ranged from 0.1 to 0.3, 0.003 to 0.38, 0.02 to 0.12, 0.01 to 0.018 and 0.21 to 0.62 where as in ground water 0.002 to 0.008, 0.01 to 0.04, 0.01 to 0.05, 0.012 to 0.018 and 0.21 to 0.48 mg L-1 respectively The pH and Electrical Conductivity in soils irrigated with sewage water ranged from 7.40 to 7.78 and 0.55 to 0.82 dSm-1 at pre-sowing stage whereas from 7.73 to 7.92 and 0.43 to 1.23dS m-1 at harvest stage respectively. The pH and Electrical Conductivity in soils irrigated with ground water ranged from 7.10 to 7.42 and 0.43 to 1.20 dSm-1 at pre-sowing stage whereas from 7.00 to 7.20 and 0.83 to 1.23dS m-1 at harvest stage respectively. The per cent organic carbon content of soil irrigated with sewage water ranged from 0.70 to 0.92% during pre-sowing stage and 0.79 to 0.95% at harvest stage. Available Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sulphur, Calcium and Magnesium were high in sewage irrigated soils than that of ground water irrigated soils at both stages. The DTPA extractable Zinc, Iron, Copper and Manganese content in sewage irrigated soils ranged from 0.42 to 1.09, 4.10 to 8.60, 1.57 to 5.24 and 1.76 to 4.95 mg l-1 respectively at pre-sowing stage and 0.54 to 1.52, 4.85 to 9.89, 2.99 to 6.47 and 2.49 to 5.61 mg l-1 respectively at harvest stage. Low micronutrient content in ground water irrigated soils at both stages. The Cadmium, Chromium, Nickel and Lead content were higher in sewage irrigated soils than the ground water irrigated soils. In fact, the concentration of the heavy metals increased during the study period (from pre-sowing to Harvest stage). Macro and micronutrient properties of root, stalk and grain of maize crop sufficient with sewage irrigation. Heavy toxic metals in general are poorly translocated and are usually accumulated in roots. The micronutrient and toxic heavy metals uptake by maize plant sample at harvest revealed that these metal ions are taken up by plant and in general are more than what is observed in normal plant. However, the plants analysed in the present study heavy metal contents are below the permissible limits, and did not exhibit reduced yields compared to groundwater irrigation.ThesisItem Open Access STUDIES ON THE EFFECT OF AQUACULTURE ON SOIL AND GROUND WATER QUALITY IN GUNTUR DISTRICT OF ANDHRA PRADESH, INDIA(Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University, Guntur, 2019) TEBESI PETER, RALIENGOANE; RAMACHANDRA RAO, G“Studies on the Effect of Aquaculture on Soil and Ground Water Quality in Guntur District of Andhra Pradesh, India” was conducted at the Department of Environmental Sciences, APGC, Lam, Guntur to study and assess the extent of soil and ground water pollution due to aqua ponds located in Karlapalem, Nizampatnam and Repalle mandals of Guntur district. Soil and ground water samples were collected during 2018/19 (pre and post-monsoon) at various distances from aqua ponds viz., 100, 500, 1000 and 2000 m which were considered as affected area and samples collected greater than 2 km away from the ponds as check area. Various physical, physicochemical and chemical properties of soil and physico-chemical and chemical properties of water were studied. Bulk density of soils from Karlapalem, Nizampatnam and Repalle during premonsoon season varied from 1.47 to 1.52 Mg m-3, 1.43 to 1.59 Mg m-3 and 1.59 to 1.70 Mg m-3 respectively, whereas, during post-monsoon season almost similar bulk density values were recorded at all distances in all three mandals. Pore volume of soils from Karlapalem, Nizampatnam and Repalle during pre-monsoon season ranged from 38.61 to 42.63%, 38.10 to 42.50% and 35.24 to 38.03% respectively, whereas, during postmonsoon season it varied from 38.31 to 42.75%, 37.78 to 42.71% and 34.48 to 38.11% in Karlapalem, Nizampatnam and Repalle respectively. The pH values of soils from Karlapalem, Nizampatnam and Repalle during premonsoon season ranged from 7.95 to 8.78, 7.80 to 8.24 and 7.56 to 8.1 respectively. During post-monsoon season pH ranged from 7.37 to 8.76 in Karlapalem, 6.92 to 8.02 in Nizampatnam and 7.90 to 8.21 in Repalle. The pH of soils from three mandals ranked from neutral (6.5 to 7.5) to strongly alkaline (8.5 to 10.0). The electrical conductivity values recorded in soils from three mandals studied ranged from 0.08 to 13.77 dSm-1 and ranked from low salinity (< 0.25 dSm-1) to very high salinity (> 2.25 dSm-1). Electrical conductivity value of soil samples collected from Repalle (1.14 to 13.77 dSm-1) indicated that they were extremely saline in nature, whereas, that of soils from Author : RALIENGOANE TEBESI PETER Title of the thesis : STUDIES ON THE EFFECT OF AQUACULTURE ON SOIL AND GROUND WATER QUALITY IN GUNTUR DISTRICT OF ANDHRA PRADESH, INDIA Degree : MASTER OF SCIENCE IN AGRICULTURE Faculty : AGRICULTURE Discipline : ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES Major Advisor : Dr. G. RAMACHANDRA RAO University : ACHARYA N.G. RANGA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY Year of submission : 2019 xvi Karlapalem (0.21 to 2.16 dSm-1) and Nizampatnam (0.08 to 2.03 dSm-1) were low to moderate. The highest CEC was recorded in Repalle (61.72 meq l-1) followed by Karlapalem (55.84 meq l-1) and Nizampatnam (54.76 meq l-1). The minimum and maximum CEC in soils from three mandals studied was recorded from Repalle mandal only i.e., 25.02 and 61.72 meq l-1 respectively. Exchangable sodium percentage values in three mandals studied were high in Repalle soils followed by Karlapalem and Nizampatnam. The minimum and maximum exchangable sodium percentage in soils from three mandals studied was recorded from Repalle mandal only i.e., 11.64 to 55.37% respectively and it ranked between none to slight sodic (< 15%) and high to very high sodic (50 to 70%) according to FAO (1976). The minimum and maximum values of organic carbon content of three mandals studied were recorded in Nizampatnam only i.e., 0.26 and 0.77% (low to high), organic carbon content of soils of Karlapalem ranged from 0.31 to 0.75% (low to medium), whereas, those of Repalle ranged from 0.35 to 0.74% (low to medium). The highest available nitrogen was recorded in Karlapalem followed by Nizampatnam and Repalle. The minimum and maximum available nitrogen content in soils from three mandals studied was recorded in Nizampatnam (100 kg ha-1) and Karlapalem (226 kg ha-1) respectively and it ranked low (< 280 kg ha-1) because it ranged between 100 to 226 kg ha-1. The minimum and maximum available phosphorus content in soils from three mandals studied was recorded in Repalle (5.3 kg ha-1) and Karlapalem (48.0 kg ha-1) respectively and it ranked between low (< 25 kg ha-1) and medium (25 to 59 kg ha-1). The minimum and maximum available potassium content in soils from three mandals studied was recorded in Nizampatnam (20 kg ha-1) and Repalle (126 kg ha-1) respectively. Available potassium content in soils of three mandals studied indicated that they are low (< 145 kg ha-1) with respect to available potassium. The available sulphur content in soils of three mandals ranged from 2.1 ppm (Nizampatnam) to 19.5 ppm (Repalle). Among the three mandals, only Repalle soil was sufficient in available sulphur, whereas, soils of Karlapalem and Nizampatnam were deficient. Available calcium content of the soil in three mandals ranged between 7.00 meq l-1 and 66.70 meq l-1 and was grouped under low category (< 145 meq l-1). A minimum of 4.70 meq l-1 in Nizampatnam and maximum of 76.70 meq l-1 in Repalle of available magnesium content was recorded in three mandals under study. The results of zinc, manganese, iron and copper in soils of three mandals studied ranged from 0.37 to 2.01 ppm, 0.78 to 4.70 ppm, 4.04 to 19.98 ppm and 0.98 to 15.53 ppm respectively. The data on heavy metals such as chromium, lead and cadmium recorded during study period in soils of three mandals ranged from 0.012 to 0.220 ppm, 0.014 to 0.270 ppm and 0.001 to 0.132 ppm respectively. The findings of the present investigation indicated that there was no sign of heavy metals pollution in all three mandals studied. The pH of ground water samples from three mandals was neutral to slightly alkaline, whereas, EC was found to be saline. The carbonates were not detected in all mandals during pre and post-monsoon seasons, whereas, bicarbonates were in excess of permissible limits of 200 ppm. The chlorides and sulphates were also very much higher than the permissible limit of 250 ppm in all three mandals. The mean concentration of calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, RSC and SAR of water samples were all in excess of permissible limits. The BOD and COD were also higher than the permissible limits. All the water properties decreased with increase in distance except RSC, SAR, micronutrients viz., Zn, Mn, Fe and Cu and heavy metals viz., Cr, Pb and Cd.ThesisItem Open Access EFFECT OF INDUSTRIAL DAIRY EFFLUENTS ON SOIL, WATER AND CERTAIN CROPS IN GUNTUR DISTRICT OF ANDHRA PRADESH(Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University, Guntur, 2019) DAKSHAYANI, THANGI; LAKSHMI, G.VA study on the “Effect of Industrial Dairy Effluents on soil, water and certain crops in Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh” was undertaken at the Department of Environmental Sciences, Advanced Post Graduate Centre, Lam, Guntur during 2018-19 to evaluate the extent of soil and plants affected due to dairy effluent from Sangam dairy, Vadlamudi, Guntur district. Soil and plant samples were collected during the months of August and December 2018 at various distances from dairy viz., 250, 500, 750, 1000 m and check area samples collected from distance greater than 1000 m. Water samples were collected for a period of 6 months from August 2018 to January 2019. Various physico-chemical and chemical properties of the soil, water and plant were studied. Dairy effluent samples collected from Sangam dairy industry, Vadlamudi were analysed for physico-chemical and chemical properties. The pH and EC of water samples were found to be neutral and non-saline. Carbonates were absent and bicarbonates were observed within the permissible limits of less than 200 ppm. The mean concentrations of calcium, magnesium, chlorides, sulphates, sodium, potassium, SAR and RSC were found to be within the permissible limits (<10 and 2.5 respectively). BOD and COD of effluent samples ranged from 135 to 213 and 278 to 361 mg l-1 respectively were noticed as much above the permissible limits (100 and 300 mg l-1 respectively). The soil pH in study area (250 m to check area) was acidic to slightly alkaline in nature ranged from 6.76 to 7.71 before sowing and 6.74 to 7.68 after harvest of the crop respectively. The soils irrigated with dairy effluent were non-saline with electrical conductivity ranged from 0.31 to 0.19 dSm-1 before sowing and 0.3 to 0.19 dSm-1 after harvest of the crop respectively. The soil pH followed increasing trend with increase in distance from dairy effluent discharge point whereas, electrical conductivity of the soils followed decreasing trend with increase in distance. Medium range of organic carbon content was observed in the soils ranged from 0.42 to 0.4 before sowing and 0.42 to 0.4% after harvest of the crop respectively. xv The mean available nitrogen content of soils in study area (250 m to check area) ranged from 367 to 300 before sowing and 340 to 218 kg ha-1 after harvest of the crop. The mean available phosphorus in soils ranged from 25.4 to 34.2 before sowing and 25.5 to 30.8 kg ha-1 after harvest of the crop respectively. Available potassium in soils ranged from 462 to 220 kg ha-1 before sowing and 441 to 230 kg ha-1 after harvest of the crop. The mean available sulphur content of soils of study area was deficient with the range of 5.26 to 4.9 before sowing and 5.44 to 4.57 kg ha-1 after harvest of the crop. Available nitrogen, potassium and sulphur were followed decreasing trend with increase in distance whereas available phosphorous content of the soils in study area (250 m to check area) was followed increasing trend with increase in distance. The calcium and magnesium content of the soils before sowing of the crop in study area (250 m to check area) ranged from 6.3 to 7.4 and 2.28 to 3.03 meq per 100 g soil respectively whereas, after harvest of the crop ranged from 6.1 to 7.2 and 2.27 to 3.04 meq per 100 g soil respectively. Available calcium in soils followed increasing trend with increase in distance whereas magnesium followed decreasing trend with the application of dairy effluent. The mean available micronutrients viz., copper, iron, manganese and zinc before sowing of the crop ranged from 0.035 to 0.02, 2.82 to 1.63, 0.9 to 0.73 and 2.75 to 2.54 ppm respectively whereas, after harvest of the crop 0.3 to 0.02, 2.72 to 1.9, 0.87 to 0.75 and 2.61 to 2.58 ppm respectively. Micronutrients in the soil followed decreasing trend with increase in distance from the dairy effluent discharge area. The mean heavy metal content in the soil viz., lead, cadmium, chromium and nickel ranged from 0.0035 to 0.038, 0.0029 to 0.006, 0.002 to 0.016 and 0.0038 to 0.0053 ppm respectively was observed before sowing of the crop whereas, after harvest of the crop they ranged from 0.004 to 0.026, 0.0025 to 0.0063, 0.0023 to 0.017 and 0.0035 to 0.0059 ppm respectively. Heavy metals in the soils irrigated with dairy effluent followed increasing trend with increase in distance from dairy industry. Results shown that significant difference was observed between before sowing and after harvest of the crop in available nitrogen and calcium content in soils. All the parameters (physico-chemical and chemical properties) of the ground water in the study area (250 m to check area) were analyzed and noticed lower values than the permissible limits. The pH and EC of water was neutral and non-saline in nature. Carbonates were absent and bicarbonates were within permissible limits. The mean concentrations of calcium, magnesium, chlorides, sulphates, sodium, potassium SAR and RSC were found to be within the permissible limits. BOD and COD contents in the water samples ranged from 68 to 128 and 213 to 398 mg l-1 respectively. Total nitrogen in the plant samples irrigated with dairy effluent ranged from 0.62 to 0.54%, phosphorous from 0.26 to 0.19% and potassium from 0.43 to 0.41% followed decreasing trend with increase in distance. Calcium, magnesium and Sulphur content in the plant samples ranged from 0.07 to 0.04%, 0.18 to 0.17%, and 0.34 to 0.23% respectively when irrigated with dairy effluent. Micronutrients and heavy metals in the plant samples followed decreasing trend with increase in distance from dairy effluent discharge area. Microbial population viz., bacteria, fungi and actinobacteria in the soils irrigated with dairy effluent found to be higher at 250 m distance compared with check area. Maximum population of bacteria was 121×105 CFU g-1, fungi was 86 x 103 CFU g-1 and actinobacteria was 49×105 CFU g-1 recorded at 250 m whereas, minimum population was observed (bacteria-76×105 CFU g-1, fungi-19 x 103 CFU g-1 and actinobacteria9×105 CFU g-1) at check area from the dairy industry. xvi Present study reveals that dairy effluent application increased the nutrient content in the soil and plants when irrigated. Therefore, with proper treatment methods, dairy effluent application increases the fertility content and can mitigate the pollution problems. The heavy metal content in the soils was within the permissible limits but exceeded limits in the plants. Hence, dairy pollutant can be used as irrigation source for commercial crops rather than vegetable/ agricultural crops.ThesisItem Open Access EFFECT OF SEWAGE WATER IRRIGATION ON SOIL, GROUND WATER AND VEGETABLE CROPS IN PERI-URBAN AREAS OF GUNTUR DISTRICT(Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University, Guntur, 2019) NEERAJA, KOTHAKOTA; RAMACHANDRA RAO, GThe present investigation entitled “Effect of Sewage water irrigation on Soil, Ground water and vegetable crops in peri-urban areas of Guntur district” was undertaken at the Department of Environmental Sciences, Advanced Post Graduate Centre, Guntur during 2018-19 to assess the impact of untreated sewage water on soil, water and vegetable crops. Four villages viz., Narakoduru, Vejendla, Chebrolu and Selapadu from the peri-urban areas of Guntur district were selected for the study. Sewage water used for irrigation was collected from the study area at monthly intervals for a period of six months (August, 2018 to January, 2019). Soil and ground water samples were collected twice (in the month of August, 2018 during pre-monsoon season and in the month of January, 2019 during post-monsoon season). Vegetable samples (Broad bean and Coccinia) were collected at the time of harvest. Physicochemical and chemical characteristics of the collected sewage water, soil, ground water and vegetable samples were analysed. The pH and Electrical Conductivity of untreated sewage water used for irrigation in peri- urban areas of Guntur district ranged from 7.57 to 8.01 and 0.80 to 1.73 dSm-1 respectively indicating that the sewage water is alkaline in nature. Carbonates were absent in the sewage water of four villages whereas bicarbonates, sulphates, chlorides, sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium concentrations ranged from 4.7 to 8.4, 0.79 to 2.01, 4.00 to 8.40, 5.40 to 9.20, 0.57 to 1.91, 3.0 to 5.2 and 1.7 to 2.6 meq l-1 respectively. Sodium Adsorption Ratio and Residual Sodium Carbonate content in sewage water were in the range of 1.22 to 4.84 and -1.9 to 1.2 meq l-1 respectively. Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) in sewage water ranged from 194 to 341 mg l-1 and 343 to 548 mg l-1 respectively. The pH and Electrical Conductivity in soils irrigated with sewage water ranged from 7.59 to 8.04 and 0.72 to 1.36 dSm-1 during pre-monsoon season whereas from 7.89 to 8.4 and 1.07 to 1.44 dSm-1 during post-monsoon season respectively. Author : KOTHAKOTA NEERAJA Title of the thesis : EFFECT OF SEWAGE WATER IRRIGATION ON SOIL, GROUND WATER AND VEGETABLE CROPS IN PERI-URBAN AREAS OF GUNTUR DISTRICT Degree : MASTER OF SCIENCE IN AGRICULTURE Faculty : AGRICULTURE Discipline : ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES Major Advisor : Dr. G. RAMACHANDRA RAO University : ACHARYA N.G. RANGA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY Year of submission : 2019 xviii The per cent organic carbon content of soil irrigated with sewage water ranged from 0.50 to 0.71% during pre monsoon season and 0.60 to 0.87% during post monsoon season. Available Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sulphur, Calcium and Magnesium were high in sewage irrigated soils than that of the check area. The DTPA extractable Zinc, Iron, Copper and Manganese content in sewage irrigated soils ranged from 0.42 to 1.09, 4.10 to 8.60, 1.57 to 5.24 and 1.76 to 4.95 mg l-1 respectively during pre-monsoon season and 0.54 to 1.52, 4.85 to 9.89, 2.99 to 6.47 and 2.49 to 5.61 mg l-1 respectively during post-monsoon season. The Cadmium, Chromium, Nickel and Lead content were higher in sewage irrigated soils than the check area. In fact, the concentration of the heavy metals increased during the study period (from pre to post monsoon season). The pH of ground water samples collected near sewage sites in four villages during pre-monsoon period ranged from 7.21 to 7.58 whereas 7.29 to 7.77 during postmonsoon period. The Electrical conductivity of ground water near sewage discharge sites during the pre-monsoon and post-monsoon season ranged from 0.28 to 0.82 dSm-1 and 0.36 to 0.85 dSm-1 respectively. There were no carbonates in ground water samples in all the four villages. The bicarbonate, sulphate, chloride, sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium content in ground water near sewage discharge sites in four villages ranged from 2.3 to 4.5, 0.08 to 0.47, 2.2 to 5.1, 2.00 to 2.54, 0.03 to 0.26, 1.8 to 3.4 and 1.0 to 2.2 meq l-1 during pre-monsoon season and 3.2 to 5.3, 0.15 to 0.61, 2.5 to 5.4, 2.28 to 3.66, 0.1 to 0.4, 1.9 to 3.8 and 1.3 to 2.7 meq l-1 during post-monsoon season respectively. The increase in anions and cations in ground water near sewage sites was due to their addition through sewage water that contains high amount of the respective anions and cations. The Sodium Adsorption Ratio of ground water near sewage sites during pre-monsoon season ranged from 1.27 to 1.98 and during post-monsoon season, it ranged from 1.34 to 2.25. The RSC content in ground water near sewage sites during pre-monsoon season ranged from -2.4 to 0.9 meq l-1 and during post-monsoon season, it ranged from -2.1 to 1.3 meq l-1. The Biological Oxygen Demand and Chemical Oxygen Demand increased slightly from pre to post monsoon season. Total nitrogen, total phosphorus and total potassium, sulphur, calcium and magnesium content in vegetables irrigated with sewage water in four villages in peri- urban areas of Guntur district ranged from 0.63 to 1.19%, 0.09 to 0.17%, 0.30 to 0.45%, 0.15 to 0.51%, 0.07 to 0.18% and 0.18 to 0.30% respectively. The overall Zinc, Iron, Copper and Manganese content in vegetables irrigated with sewage water in the study area ranged from 21.62 to 45.28, 298 to 794, 29.16 to 39.54 and 1.01 to 2.60 mg l-1 respectively. The Cadmium, Chromium, Nickel and Lead content in the sewage irrigated vegetables ranged from 1.21 to 4.00, 1.49 to 4.77, 1.85 to 6.50 and 2.23 and 5.67 mg l-1 respectively. All the heavy metals except Chromium were above the permissible limits in vegetables for consumption. The increase in macronutrients, micronutrients and heavy metal content in the vegetable crops might be due to their translocation from the soils irrigated with untreated sewage water.ThesisItem Open Access CHARACTERIZATION OF URBAN COMPOST AND ITS SUITABILITY TO DIFFERENT CROPS(Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University, Guntur, 2019) VASUNDHARA, KANDI; LAKSHMI, G.V.The study entitled “Characterization of urban compost and its suitability to different crops” was carried out at Department of Environmental Sciences, APGC, Lam, Guntur during 2018-19. The raw materials and compost samples were obtained from four different composting sites viz., Site-1: Guntur Municipal site (Guntur), Site-2: Vijayawada APIIC Autonagar site (APIIC), Site-3: Vijayawada Kabela centre site (Kabela) and Site-4: Vijayawada Gandhi market site (Gandhi). Characterization of raw materials used in composting process and compost samples was done in terms of physical, physico-chemical and chemical properties. Compost samples were also analysed for biological properties and incubation studies were carried out to know the suitability to different crops. The collected raw materials from Guntur, APIIC, Kabela and Gandhi sites were alkaline in nature (7.91, 8.43, 8.26 and 8.71), moisture content of 79.30, 83.20, 81.90 and 80.40% and EC value was 2.31, 1.86, 2.33 and 2.09 dSm-1 respectively. The organic carbon values were 28.10, 22.60, 29.10 and 29.80% respectively. Nutrients viz., nitrogen (1.12, 0.98, 1.31 and 1.17%), phosphorus (0.58, 0.34, 0.51 and 0.69%), potassium (0.73, 0.63, 0.82 and 0.78%), sulphur (0.09, 0.12, 0.34 and 0.49%), calcium (0.24, 0.64, 0.82 and 0.78%), magnesium (0.12, 0.31, 0.36 and 0.49%), iron (154.10, 193.40, 163.70 and 117.20 mg kg-1), copper (9.20, 15.50, 6.70 and 11.30 mg kg-1), zinc (31.80, 26.30, 34.20 and 18.40 mg kg-1) and manganese (14.70, 7.60, 25.10 and 16.90 mg kg-1) contents were present. Samples contain heavy metals viz., lead (23.45, 10.37, 18.37 and 15.04 mg kg1), cadmium (0.11, 0.09, 0.21 and 0.17 mg kg-1), chromium (7.36, 9.74, 17.95 and 13.74 mg kg-1) and nickel (14.21, 22.45, 7.50 and 30.71 mg kg-1) respectively. The collected four compost samples from different sites (Guntur, APIIC, Kabela and Gandhi) were neutral in reaction (7.12, 7.59, 7.45 and 7.63) with the EC values of 3.68, 3.32, 4.16 and 4.21 dSm-1. The amount of moisture content was 29.70, 27.80, 28.70 and 28.20% and OC values were 15.98, 11.88, 16.60 and 18.11% respectively. Primary nutrients were present in the amounts of 1.63, 1.16, 1.48 and 1.71% of nitrogen, 0.64, 0.42, 0.65 and 0.79% of phosphorus and 0.85, 0.79, 0.88 and 0.91 % of potassium respectively and secondary nutrients were sulphur (0.16, 0.28, 0.54 and 0.61%), calcium (1.17, 1.49, 1.86 and 1.58%) and magnesium (0.32, 0.59, 0.73 and 0.97%). Micronutrients viz., iron (188.30, 204.70, 175.80 and 124.40 mg kg-1), copper (11.50, xv 17.80, 10.40 and 15.30 mg kg-1), zinc (33.70, 29.60, 38.20 and 20.50 mg kg-1) and manganese (17.90, 10.20, 29.70 and 18.30 mg kg-1) and heavy metals viz., lead (34.70, 12.95, 42.32 and 22.19 mg kg-1), cadmium (1.24, 0.76, 1.52 and 2.31 mg kg-1), chromium (10.09, 13.18, 25.42 and 19.67 mg kg-1) and nickel (22.84, 30.42, 25.21 and 31.27 mg kg-1) were also present respectively. Incubation studies were carried out for 21 days to test the suitability of the composts on black gram, green gram and maize crops. The study includes five treatments (T1- no compost, T2- compost @ 2 t ha-1, T3- compost @ 5 t ha-1, T4- compost @ 10 t ha1 and T5- FYM @ 5 t ha-1) with four replications for all the four compost samples. In all the four set of treatments highest germination percent, shoot length, root length, fresh weight and dry weight were significantly higher in T4 while lowest was recorded in T1 in all the three crops. The results of T5 were statistically on par with the results of T4. Among the four composts, highest mean germination percent in black gram and maize was recorded in Guntur site and for green gram in Gandhi site. Mean shoot length was highest in Kabela site for black gram and in Gandhi site for green gram and maize crops respectively. Mean root length was highest in Kabela site for black gram and green gram crops and in APIIC site for maize. Highest mean fresh weight was recorded in Kabela site for black gram and in APIIC site for green gram and maize crops. Highest mean dry weight was recorded in Kabela site for black gram and green gram crops and in APIIC site for maize respectively. The composts collected were very rich in the nutrients and were neutral in nature with more organic carbon content and can be suitable to the soil application. All the trace elements were present in the composts but all were within the limits of USEPA, 1997. In the incubation studies, T4 (compost @ 10 t ha-1) was significantly showed the best performance but it was statistically on par with the results of T5 (FYM @ 5 t ha-1) in all the three crops of four compost sites. Kabela site showed the better performance followed by APIIC compost site in all the growth parameters. From the study, it can be concluded that urban waste can be converted into nutrient rich urban compost and can used to the agricultural crops. Currently, urban wastes are generating enormously and dumping sites are being filled rapidly, this problem can be overcome by converting the wastes into compost.ThesisItem Open Access STUDIES ON COMPOSTING AQUASLUDGE AND ITS SUITABILITY TO DIFFERENT CROPS(Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, 2018) SRIKANTH, MANGALAPURI; RAMACHANDRA RAO, G“Studies on composting aquasludge and its suitability to different crops” was undertaken at the Department of Environmental Sciences, Advanced Post Graduate Centre, Lam, Guntur during 2017-18. The physico-chemical characteristics of aqua sludge, paddy straw and water hyacinth and also the best bulking material between paddy straw and water hyacinth was determined to make compost for use as organic fertilizer for its suitability to different crops. The aquasludge obtained from the three districts namely Nellore, Parkasam and Guntur in Andhra Pradesh was analyzed separately with standard procedures for pH, EC, organic carbon, total nitrogen, available nitrogen, available phosphorous, total potassium, Ca, Mg, S and micronutrients (Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu).The aquasludges collected from these three districts were found to be neutral in reaction (6.8, 6.5 and 6.7), with EC of (1.81, 2.05 and 1.59 dS m-1) and organic carbon (6.06, 6.71 and 6.24 %). Primary nutrients like total nitrogen, available nitrogen, available phosphorous and total potassium contents of aquasludges were (1.06, 1.97 and 0.77 per cent), (0.0368, 0.0573 and 0.0452 per cent), (0.0479, 0.0570 and 0.0520 per cent g Kg-1) and (0.176, 0.221 and 0.193 g Kg-1) respectively. Secondary nutrients like calcium, magnesium and sulphur contents of aqua sludge were 3.60, 4.18 and 3.08 g Kg-1, 2.73, 3.00 and 2.13 g Kg-1 and0.442, 0.5206 and 0.4 % respectively and micronutrients like Fe, Cu, Mn and Zn in aqua sludge were 36.16, 39.95 and 35.25 g Kg-1, 0.179, 0.191 and 0.173 g Kg-1 0.70, 0.79 and 0.59 g Kg-1 and 0.271, 0.364 and 0.338 g/Kg respectively. Currently, there are only few treatment options available for aqua sludge. Among them composting can provide a simple and cost effective method to treat the sludge and at the same time reuse excessive organic matter and nutrients for enhanced production of different crops. Composting study was conducted by mixing different proportions of aqua sludge with bulking materials like paddy straw and water hyacinth collected from Live Stock Research Station, Lam, Guntur and Agricultural College Farm, Bapatla respectively. Three sets of experiments were conducted using three different aqua sludge samples collected from Pantapalem (Nellore), Vetapalem (Praasam) and Karlapalem (Guntur) locations of Andhra Pradesh. Experiment was laid out in Completely Randomized Design with three replications and nine treatments comprising of T1-Aqua sludge alone 100% (control) ,T2-Aqua sludge 80% +paddy straw 20%, T3-Aqua sludge 70% + paddy straw 30%, T4-Aqua sludge 60% + paddy straw 40% , T5-Aqua sludge 80% + water hyacinth 20%, T6-Aqua sludge 70% + water hyacinth 30% , T7-Aqua sludge 60% + water hyacinth 40% , T8-Aqua sludge 70% + paddy straw10%+water hyacinth20% and T9-Aqua sludge 60% + paddy straw20%+water hyacinth20%. Three such sets were maintained to facilitate destructive sampling at 30 days of incubation and at 60 days after composting. Aqua sludge compost samples were analyzed for physico-chemical properties employing standard procedures. The results revealed that the aqua sludge compost pH became neutral with the end of composting process; while organic carbon of compost increased with increasing percentage of bulking materials. The pH and EC of treatments containing water hyacinth was significantly higher than those without water hyacinth in all the three sets of experiments. 30 days after incubation, the pH and EC increased gradually, later decreased but organic carbon gradually increased up to 60 days of composting. Total nitrogen and available nitrogen increased significantly with increasing percentage of bulking material in the three sets of experiments. Final values of total nitrogen at 60 days ranged from 1.02 to 1.79%, 1.47 to 2.68 and 0.61 to 1.38 % respectively. Available nitrogen also followed the same pattern as that of total nitrogen and the same trend was apparent. Total potassium (K), available- P, calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sulphur (S) and manganese (Mn) were significantly higher in treatments with Water hyacinth than treatments with Rice Straw used as bulking materials due to the initial composition of this material. Treatments with higher aqua sludge tended to have higher Zn, Cu and Fe. The same trend was apparent in all the three sets of experiments. A desirable organic fertilizer is rich in N, P and K, which is released into the soil over time. The results of the present study indicated that the final quality of aqua sludge compost in terms of nutrient content varied depending on the initial materials. Total nitrogen of final compost increased with increasing percentage of aqua sludge. Available P and total K of the final compost increased with increasing percentage of water hyacinth, which was expected because water hyacinth had higher available P and total K than aqua sludge and rice straw. The final micronutrients, pH and EC of the composts could also be explained by the initial aqua sludge, rice straw and water hyacinth. Thus the characteristics of initial materials seems to be a good indication of the quality of the compost produced. It was concluded that polluted aqua sludge from aqua ponds in these three districts could be effectively treated by composting and have potential for subsequent use as an agricultural fertilizers. Finally, compost made with aqua sludge was used to test the germination per cent, height and fresh weight of the three crops viz., bengal gram, cotton and black gram. In terms of germination %, height and fresh weight in sludge + paddy straw combinations T4 recorded the highest values. In sludge + water hyacinth combinations T7 recorded the highest values and sludge + paddy straw + water hyacinth combinations T8 recorded the highest values. T1 maintained as control containing 100 % aqua sludge showed lowest values of germination %, height and fresh weight of the three crops. A similar trend was followed in the three sets of experiments. Among nine aqua sludge composts T4 showed the best germination percentage, tallest in height and high in fresh weight of the three crops. Overall the results showed that paddy straw was the best bulking material when combined with 60:40 ratio of aqua sludge and paddy straw. Based on the results, it could be concluded that aqua sludge has a potential to be used as compost material when mixed with either rice straw or water hyacinth.ThesisItem Open Access BIOAVAILABILITY OF NUTRIENTS IN SOIL ON TEXTILE SLUDGE APPLICATION(Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, 2018) ANAND KUMAR, KONIDENA; PRABHU PRASADINI, PA study on “Bioavailability of nutrients in soil on textile sludge application” was undertaken at Department of Environmental Sciences, Advanced Post Graduate Centre, Guntur during 2016-17 to assess the impact of textile sludge on soil. Textile sludge obtained from NSL Textiles Limited, Guntur District, Andhra Pradesh was analyzed with standard procedures for pH, EC, organic carbon, N, P, K and heavy metals. It was found to be neutral in reaction (7.18), with EC of 1.93 dSm-1 and total organic carbon was 13.44 per cent. Total N, P and K contents of textile sludge were 2.6, 0.2 and 2.8 per cent, respectively. Total Zn, Fe, Mn and Cu in textile sludge were 19.45, 468.1, 32.0 and 24.3 ppm, respectively. Total heavy metals viz., lead, nickel, cadmium and chromium were 22.6, 37.6, 4.5 and 106.6 ppm, respectively. Among the heavy metals, Cd content exceeded SEPA limits, whilst Cr content was found to be higher than MSW Rules and others were within permissible limits. An incubation study was conducted using fine textured soil from RARS, Lam to know the bioavailability of nutrients on application of textile sludge with and without microbial consortium at 15, 30 and 45 days of incubation by maintaining soil moisture gravimetrically at maximum water holding capacity (49%). It was laid out in Completely Randomized Design with three replications of ten treatments comprising of three levels of textile sludge (3, 5 and 10 t ha-1) each with three treatments viz., untreated sludge, sludge along with microbial consortium and sludge decomposed with microbial consortium apart from the control i.e., soil alone. Three such sets were maintained to facilitate destructive sampling at 15, 30 and 45 days of incubation. Soil samples were analysed for physicochemical properties, available nutrient status, heavy metals and microbial load (fungi and bacteria) employing standard procedures. The results revealed that the soil pH decreased with incubation time; while EC and organic carbon of soil increased. The major nutrients viz., N, P and K also increased upto 45 days with dose of textile sludge. Among the micronutrients, zinc got released and increased with time (15 to 45 days) of incubation and with increased dose of textile sludge, whereas, Cu values were found to increase from 15 to 30 days of incubation and thereafter, decreased from 30 to 45 days over incubation period. But, Mn content was found to decrease with passage of time and increased with quantum of textile sludge. Availability of toxic heavy metals viz., Pb, Ni, Cd and Cr values showed a decline with period of incubation and Ni, Cd and Cr increased with increasing doses of textile sludge. The level of sludge application, across all the treatments did not have much influence on soil Pb content. DTPA extractable heavy metals, mean values in the soil across the sludge treatments and incubation intervals followed the order: Pb (2.92 ppm) > Cr (0.725 ppm) > Ni (0.4 ppm) > Cd (0.062 ppm). Microbial load like soil fungal populations and bacterial populations were found to increase from initial to 15 days of incubation and thereafter, decreased from 15 days to 45 days, gradually. Whereas microbial load values increased with increasing doses of sludge. The soil properties like pH, EC and organic carbon content were significantly influenced by the imposed treatments. There was a significant influence of application of sludge alone and in combination of with decomposing microbial consortium on available macro and micronutrient content in soil except iron which is non-significant at all the incubation intervals (15, 30 and 45 days). Heavy metals and microbial load (fungi and bacteria population) were also significantly influenced by the application of sludge alone and in combination of with decomposing microbial consortium. The treatment supplied with soil + sludge decomposed with microbial consortium @ 10 t ha-1 (T10) was superior in maintaining the available nutrient status and microbial populations which was followed by the treatments receiving soil + sludge decomposed with microbial consortium @ 5 t ha-1 and 3 t ha-1 and least was recorded in control (soil only). Application of textile sludge showed improvement in soil properties and microbial load in soil. From this, it can be interpreted that application of textile sludge would be helpful in maintaining the soil quality by increasing the microbial load in the soil viz., fungi and bacteria population which are essential for increasing nutrient availability to all crops provided the environmental concerns are duly addressed through composting of textile sludge by promising microbial consortia to keep the heavy metal contents under permissible limits.ThesisItem Open Access IMPACT OF CEMENT DUST DEPOSITION ON SOIL AND WATER QUALITY IN GUNTUR DISTRICT OF ANDHRA PRADESH(Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, 2018) AMANI, JAMPANA; KISHORE BABU, GThe present research work on “Impact of Cement Dust Deposition on Soil and Water Quality in Guntur District of Andhra Pradesh” was conducted at the department of Environmental Sciences, APGC, Lam, Guntur to study and evaluate the extent of soil and water pollution due to cement dust deposition around the cement industry located at Satrasala, Guntur district. Soil and water samples were collected during the months of August and December 2017 at various distances from cement industry viz., 250, 500, 1000 and 2000 m which were considered as affected area and samples collected from a distance of 2250, 2500, 3000 and 4000 m were considered as check area. Various physical, physico-chemical, chemical and biological properties of soil and physico-chemical and chemical properties of water were studied. The bulk density decreased with increase in distance from cement industry. Per cent pore space and moisture holding capacity increased with increase in distance from cement industry. Soils in affected and check area were clay loam and sandy clay in texture respectively without any appreciable difference in sand, silt and clay proportions. The soil of study area was slightly alkaline to moderately alkaline with the pH ranged from 8.48 to 7.84 at 250 to 2000 m before sowing of crop and after harvest of crop it ranged from 8.48 to 7.80. Whereas in check area (2250 to 4000 m) pH ranged from 7.58 to 7.37 and 7.59 to 7.34 before sowing and after harvest of crop respectively. The soils were non-saline with the mean electrical conductivity ranges from 0.56 to 0.26 dS m-1 at 250 to 2000 m before sowing of crop and after harvest of crop it ranged from 0.56 to 0.27 dS m-1. Whereas in check area (2250 to 4000m) the EC ranged from 0.21 to 0.14 dS m-1 and 0.21 to 0.15 dS m-1 before sowing and after harvest of crop respectively. The soil pH and EC followed decreasing trend with increase in distance from cement industry. The organic carbon content of cement dust impacted soil was low to medium with the range of 0.31 to 0.57 % before sowing of crop from 250 to 2000 m distance and after harvest of crop it ranged from 0.34 to 0.58 %. Whereas the OC content in check area (2250 to 4000 m) ranged from 0.63 to 0.73 and 0.64 to 0.70 % before Author : JAMPANA AMANI Title of the thesis : IMPACT OF CEMENT DUST DEPOSITION ON SOIL AND WATER QUALITY IN GUNTUR DISTRICT OF ANDHRA PRADESH Degree : MASTER OF SCIENCE IN AGRICULTURE Faculty : AGRICULTURE Discipline : ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES Major Advisor : Dr. G. KISHORE BABU University : ACHARYA N.G. RANGA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY Year of submission : 2018 sowing and after harvest of crop respectively. The mean available nitrogen content of soils before sowing of crop ranged from 209.9 to 276.9 kg ha-1 and after harvest of crop it ranged from 213.3 to 282.5 kg ha-1. Whereas in check area (2250 to 4000 m) nitrogen content ranged from 299.6 to 322.2 kg ha-1 and 303.8 to 324.0 kg ha-1 before sowing and after harvest of crop respectively i.e., the nitrogen content of soil was low to medium. The mean available phosphorus status of soil was low to medium that ranged from 18.2 to 38.1 kg ha-1 before sowing of crop and after harvest of crop it ranged from 18.8 to 37.4 kg ha-1. Whereas in check area (2250 to 4000 m) phosphorus content ranged from 44.6 to 51.2 kg ha-1 and 42.7 to 52.1 kg ha-1 before sowing and after harvest of crop respectively. The OC, available N and P contents increased with increase in distance. The mean available potassium content of soil was very high ranging from 904.7 to 523.3 kg ha-1 before sowing of crop from 250 to 2000 m distance and after harvest of crop it ranged from 905.7 to 524.7 kg ha-1. Whereas in check area (2250 to 4000 m) potassium content ranged from 502.2 to 494.2 kg ha-1 and 503.8 to 495.0 kg ha-1 before sowing and after harvest of crop respectively. The mean available sulphur content of the soils of study area was sufficient with the range of 13.32 to 18.86 ppm before sowing of crop and after harvest of crop it ranged from 13.35 to 18.88 ppm. Whereas in check area (2250 to 4000 m) sulphur content ranged from 20.65 to 20.75 ppm and 20.58 to 20.80 ppm before sowing and after harvest of crop respectively. The highest concentration of micronutrients and heavy metals was found at 250 m and the concentration decreased as distance from cement industry increases i.e., lowest concentration was observed in check area (2250 to 4000 m). The mean available micronutrients viz., zinc, iron, manganese and copper were in the range of 1.15 to 0.64, 13.09 to 9.77, 9.12 to 5.62 and 0.67 to 0.71 ppm respectively from 250 to 2000 m distance before sowing of crop, whereas, after harvest of crop values ranged from 1.14 to 0.65, 13.10 to 9.62, 9.13 to 5.60 and 1.61 to 0.69 ppm respectively. The mean concentration of heavy metals like Cr, Cd and Pb before sowing of crop ranged from 14.83 to 7.68, 7.97 to 1.36 and 8.95 to 4.76 ppm respectively from 250 to 2000m distance, whereas, after harvest of crop 14.73 to 7.69, 7.97 to 1.35 and 8.90 to 4.73 ppm respectively. All the micronutrients and heavy metals were found to be much above the permissible limits. Physico-chemical and chemical properties of water samples collected from affected (<2000 m) and check area (>2000 m) were studied and all the parameters recorded higher values in affected area and their values decreased with increase in distance. The pH of water was found to be neutral to slightly alkaline and EC was found to be non saline. The carbonates and bicarbonates were within the permissible limit of 200 ppm. The chlorides and sulphates were very much higher than the permissible limit of 250 ppm at all locations. The mean concentration of calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, RSC and SAR of water samples were found to be within the permissible limits. The microbial population i.e., bacteria and fungi in soils of study area was found to be influenced by the cement dust deposition. The minimum population of bacteria (27.1x105 CFU g-1) and fungi (10.4x103 CFU g-1) was recorded at 250 m from cement industry and population increased with increase in distance from cement industry i.e., maximum population ( bacteria-190.2x105 CFU g-1 and fungi-71.2x103 CFU g-1) was at 4000 m (check area) from cement industry.ThesisItem Open Access MONITORING SOIL AND WATER POLLUTION UNDER INTENSIVE CROPPED AREAS OF GUNTUR DIVISION(Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, 2018) MADHURAVANI, G.S.; LALITA KUMARI, AThe present research work on “Monitoring Soil and Water pollution under intensive cropped areas of Guntur division” was taken up to study and evaluate the extent of soil and water pollution due to fertilizers in the intensive cropped areas of Guntur division. Soil and water samples from the farmers’ fields of study area in different mandals of Guntur division of Guntur district were collected at three stages of crop season and various properties were studied. Plant samples were collected at harvesting stage of the crop. Cost of cultivation in cotton growing areas ranged from 20,300 to 34,400 rupees and gross returns ranged from Rs 35,000 to 80,000. The net returns ranged from 8,300 to 46,700 rupees and B:C ratio ranged from 1.31 to 2.55. Cost of cultivation in chilli growing areas ranged from 40,000 to 87,900 rupees and gross returns ranged from Rs 1,00,000 to 1,40,000. The net returns ranged from 15,600 to 1,00,000 rupees and B:C ratio ranged from 1.73 to 2.60. Cost of cultivation in vegetable growing areas ranged from 35,500 to 54,000 rupees and gross returns ranged from Rs 1,00,000 to 1,40,000. The net returns ranged from 52,000 to 87,500 rupees and B:C ratio ranged from 1.06 to 2.06. In all the soil samples of cotton, chilli and soils of vegetable growing areas were slightly alkaline to highly alkaline in soil reaction and non-saline. The organic carbon and available nitrogen contents were low. Phosphorus and potassium contents were medium to high and high respectively in both high input and low input areas. The overall calcium, magnesium and sulphur contents ranged from 1.34 to 22.43, 0.38 to 10.40 mg/l and 5.20 to 82.04 ppm respectively. The overall available Zn, Fe, Mn and Cu content of the soils ranged from 0.12 to 4.58, 0.35 to 19.21, 0.13 to 13.84 and 0.32 to 5.24 ppm respectively. The mean chloride content in the soils ranged from 32.80 to 245.70 mg/l. The available fluoride content in the soils ranged from 0.21 to 2.12 mg/l was very much within the safe levels in soils. In all the soil samples of cotton chilli and vegetable growing areas, the overall nickel content was with in permissible limits of 75 ppm as per the Indian Standards (Awashthi, 2000). Chromium content in soils was within permissible limits of 150 ppm as per European Union standards (EU 2002). Lead content in these soils was below the permissible limits of 250-500 ppm as per Indian Standards (Awashthi, 2000) and 300 ppm as per European Union standards (EU 2002). Cadmium content in the soils was not detected either in high input areas or low input areas. The water samples collected at different stages in all cotton, chilli and vegetable growing areas were found to be clear or brownish in colour without any odour. The pH of water samples was found to be neutral to alkaline and EC was found to be non saline. The mean total hardness of water samples was found to be below the permissible limit of 200 mg/l. Sulphate content of water samples of cotton growing areas was found to be within the permissible limit of 200 mg/l. BOD of water samples were found to be within the permissible limit of 6 mg/l at different stages of crop growth. COD of water samples was found to be within the permissible limit. TDS and TSS of the water samples were found to be above the permissible limit of 500 mg/l at different stages of crop growth. Residual Sodium Carbonate of water samples were found to be within the permissible limit of 2.5 me/l. SAR was found to be within the permissible limit of 10. The carbonates and bicarbonates content was within the permissible limit of 200 ppm. The chloride content was very much higher than the permissible limit of 250 ppm at all locations. Fluoride content was also found to be within the permissible limit of 1.0 ppm at different stages of crop growth. The Phosphate content was found to be within the permissible limit of 10 ppm. Nitrate content of was found to be within the permissible limit of 45 ppm at different stages of crop growth. The overall available Zn, Fe, Mn and Cu content of the water samples ranged from 0.12 to 3.73, 0.24 to 0.82, 0.01 to 0.51 and 0.01 to 0.32 ppm respectively. None of the heavy metals studied ( Pb, Ni and Cd) was detected in water samples except that chromium was detected in few locations. The chromium content in these water samples was higher than the critical limit of 0.05 ppm at few locations. NPK content in cotton kapas ranged from 1.050 to 1.630, 0.218 to 0.336 and 0.963 to 1.273 % with a mean of 1.409, 0.285 and 1.067 % respectively. NPK content in chilli dry pods ranged from 2.75 to 3.13, 0.245 to 0.323 and 1.18 to 1.78 with a mean of 2.94, 0.284 and 1.519 % respectively. NPK content in vegetables (Bendi and brinjal) ranged from 1.4 to 2.7, 0.24 to 0.32 and 0.8 to 2.6 with a mean of 2.01, 0.275 and 1.65 % respectively. The pesticide residues which were identified above the permissible limits in few cotton kapas samples and were Dicofol, Cypermethrin, Ethion, Profenophos and Pendimethalin. The pesticide residues which were identified above the permissible limits in few chilli plant samples were Dicofol, Cypermethrin, Ethion and Bifenthrin. The pesticide residues which were identified above the permissible limits in few vegetable samples were Ethion and Bifenthrin.