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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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2015 - 20187
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Subject: Soil Science and Agriculture Chemistry × End date: 2018 × Start date: 2015 × Type: Thesis × Thesis Type: Ph.D ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    DETAILED SOIL RESOURCE INVENTORY OF BRAHMANAKOTKUR WATERSHED IN KURNOOL DISTRICT OF ANDHRA PRADESH USING REMOTE SENSING AND GIS
    (Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, 2018) SATISH, S; NAIDU, M.V.S.
    The present investigation involves “Detailed soil resource inventory of Brahmanakotkur watershed in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh using remote sensing and GIS”. For this purpose, twenty one typical pedons from Brahmanakotkur watershed were studied for their physical, physico-chemical and chemical properties. The area was characterized by semi-arid monsoonic climate with distinct summer, winter and rainy seasons. The pedons occurs in plains (P5, P6, P7, P15, P16, P17 and P18), very gently sloping (P1, P2, P3, P4, P8, P12, P13, P14, P19 and P20) and gently sloping (P9, P10, P11 and P21) topography. The P3, P5, P6, P7, P8, P11, P12, P13, P14, P15, P16, P17, P18 and P19 were developed from limestone whereas P1, P2, P4 and P10 were originated from dolomite. The P20 and P21 were developed from quartz while P9 was originated from shale. The morphological features indicated the presence of A-Bw-C (P4, P9 and P10), A-Bss-C (P1, P2, P3, P5, P6, P7, P8, P11, P12, P13, P14, P15, P16, P17, P18, P19 and P20) and A-C (P21) profiles. The soils were shallow to very deep in depth, very dark gray to strong brown in colour, gravelly sandy loam to clay in texture and exhibited sub-angular and angular blocky structures. xviii The clay content in P1, P4, P5, P10 and P21 exhibited an increasing trend with depth whereas no specific trend with depth was observed in remaining pedons. Physical constants like water holding capacity, loss on ignition and volume expansion followed the trend of clay content. COLE value in P3, P6, P17 and P20 exhibited an increasing trend with depth whereas P1, P4 and P5 showed a decreasing trend with depth. However, no specific trend with depth was observed in the remaining pedons. The soils of watershed were neutral to strongly alkaline (7.01 to 9.11) in reaction, non-saline (0.10 to 0.82 dSm-1) and low to medium (0.01 to 0.58 %) in organic carbon. The CaCO3 content in soils was ranging from 2.43 to 18.71 per cent and ESP was low to high (0.81 to 22.64 %). The CEC values were medium to high (18.60 to 61.72 cmol (p+) kg-1) and exchange complex was dominated by Ca2+ followed by Mg2+, Na+ and K+. The soils were low (37.63 to 188.16 kg ha-1) in available nitrogen, low to high (2.29 to 151.51 kg P2O5 ha-1) in available phosphorous and potassium (73.92 to 686.53 kg K2O ha-1) and deficient to sufficient (0.62 to 22.50 mg kg-1) in available sulphur. The soils were sufficient in DTPA extractable Cu and Mn and deficient to sufficient in DTPA extractable Zn and Fe. Based on CEC / clay ratio, physical, chemical and physico-chemical properties, the mineralogy class for P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, P6, P7, P8, P11, P12, P13, P14, P15, P16, P17, P18, P19 and P20 was smectitic while mineralogy class for P9, P10 and P21 was mixed. Based on the morphological, physical, physico-chemical, mineralogical and meteorological data, the soils were classified as Vertisols , Inceptisols and Entisols orders and these soils were classified at family level as: Pedons 1, 8, 11, 14 and 20 : Fine, smectitic, isohyperthermic, Typic Haplustert Pedon 2 : Fine-loamy, smectitic, isohyperthermic, Sodic Haplustert Pedons 3, 18 and 19 : Fine, smectitic, isohyperthermic, Typic Calciustert Pedon 4 : Fine-loamy, smectitic, isohyperthermic, Lithic Haplustept Pedon 5 : Fine, smectitic, isohyperthermic, Leptic Calciustert Pedons 6, 7, 12, 15, 16 and 17 : Fine, smectitic, isohyperthermic, Sodic Haplustert Pedon 9 : Fine-loamy, mixed, isohyperthermic, Typic Haplustept Pedon 10 : Loamy-skeletal, mixed, isohyperthermic, Typic Haplustept Pedon 13 : Fine, smectitic, isohyperthermic, Sodic Calciustert Pedon 21 : Loamy-skeletal, mixed, isohyperthermic, Lithic Ustorthent xix Twelve soil series were identified in the study area and were mapped into twelve different mapping units. The twelve mapping units were classified into five land capability sub-classes such as IIs (BRK2bB1g1D4, BRK5cB1g1D4, DGP4dA1g1D4 and PPLdA1g1D5), IIes (DGP2bC2g1D2), IIIs (BRK1dA1g1D5, BRK3dB1g1D5, BRK4cB1g1D1, BRK6cB1g1D5 and DGP1cA1g1D), IIIes (GGPaC2g2D2) and IVes (DGP3aC2g2D1). Similarly, the soils of watershed were grouped in to five land irrigability sub-classes namely, 2s (BRK2bB1g1D4, BRK5cB1g1D4, DGP4dA1g1D4 and PPLdA1g1D5), 2es (DGP2bC2g1D2), 3s (BRK1dA1g1D5, BRK3dB1g1D5, BRK6cB1g1D5 and DGP1cA1g1D3), 3es (BRK4cB1g1D1 and GGPaC2g2D2) and 4es (DGP3aC2g2D1). The soil-site suitability evaluation of the study area revealed that mapping units such as BRK1dA1g1D5, BRK3dB1g1D5, DGP1cA1g1D3, DGP2bC2g1D2, DGP3aC2g2D1 and GGPaC2g2D2 were not suitable (N) for growing rice crop whereas the mapping units like BRK2bB1g1D4, BRK4cB1g1D1, BRK5cB1g1D4, BRK6cB1g1D5, DGP4dA1g1D4 and PPLdA1g1D5 were marginally suitable (S3) for growing rice crop. All the mapping units were marginally suitable (S3) for growing maize and bengalgram crops except DGP3aC2g2D1 which was not suitable (N) for growing maize and bengalgram crops. The mapping units viz., BRK2bB1g1D4, BRK4cB1g1D1, BRK5cB1g1D4, BRK6cB1g1D5, DGP1cA1g1D3, DGP2bC2g1D2 and GGPaC2g2D2 were marginally suitable (S3) for growing sunflower crop whereas the mapping units such as BRK1dA1g1D5, BRK3dB1g1D5, DGP3aC2g2D1, DGP4dA1g1D4 and PPLdA1g1D5 were not suitable (N) for growing sunflower crop. Production potential revealed that, actual productivity of soil mapping units was poor, average and good whereas potential productivity of soil mapping units was good and excellent. The coefficient of improvement (Ci) varied from 1.59 to 3.42 indicating the implementation of judicious soil and water management practices to sustain crop productivity. Soil fertility maps were also prepared for watershed for various parameters such as pH, EC, organic carbon, available macronutrients (N, P2O5, K2O and S) and micronutrients (Zn, Fe, Cu and Mn) under GIS environment using ArcGIS 10.3 version. Comparison of satellite data collected during the year 2009 with that of satellite data collected during the year 2016, indicated that, the soil and water conservation structures in the watershed, increased the area under agriculture by decreasing the area under scrub land and canal dump which is further supported by an increase in the vegetation vigour and also NDVI values from negative to 1.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    STUDIES ON SOIL HEALTH AS INFLUENCED BY DIFFERENT RICE FALLOW CROPPING SYSTEMS
    (Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, 2018) LATHA, MEKALA; RATNA PRASAD, P
    Rice based cropping systems form an integral part of agriculture in Andhra Pradesh. Several intensive rice based cropping systems have been identified and are being practiced by the farmers. While intensive agriculture, involving exhaustive high yielding varieties of rice and other crops, has led to heavy withdrawal of nutrients from the soil, imbalanced and discriminate use of chemical fertilizers has resulted in deterioration of soil health. Suitable rice based cropping system has to be evaluated, to assess the stability in production. Experiments on cropping systems are ultimate solution to overcome the drawbacks of mono cropping system. Therefore, there is a need to develop a suitable cropping sequence which may be a viable option to improve the soil health. In addition to that, information on soil biological properties under different rice based cropping systems is meagre. As the cereal- cereal sequence is more exhaustive it is necessary to arrive at alternate fallow crops which may be used in rotation. With this background, a field experiment was conducted for two consecutive years (2015-16 & 2016-17) on clayloam soils of Agricultural College Farm, Bapatla. The experiment was laid out in a two sample t-test for rice in kharif season with 2 treatments and replicated thrice. The treatments consists of M1 100% RDF, M2 (50% RDN+ 25% N through FYM + 25% N through neem cake + Azospirillum+PSB @ 2.5 kg ha-1(INM). During the immediate kharif, the experiment was laid out in a split plot design without disturbing the soil for succeeding rabi crops with the two treatments given to kharif rice as main plot treatments and each of these divided into five sub-plots. The experiment was repeated in another field (same block) during kharif and rabi seasons. Popular cultivars of rice (BPT 5204), blackgram (PU 31), maize (Sandhya), Sorghum (NSH-54), Sunflower (Shreshta) and mustard (Konark) were used for this study. It was observed that INM treatment had relatively improved the bulk density, water holding capacity and porosity but it was non-significant. Physico-chemical properties were also improved with inclusion of INM treatment compared to 100% RDF. With application of INM treatment, all the available nutrients of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S and micronutrients increased their status in soil at initial stages and later it was decreased due to uptake by the growing plants. Regarding biological properties, the highest DHA activity, fungi, bacteria and actinomycetes populations were observed at panicle initiation stage when compared to other stages. Data recorded on growth parameters viz., plant height, dry matter accumulation, yield attributes, yield and nutrient content of rice were significantly higher with the application of INM treatment. Application of organics along with 50% RDN produced the highest grain yield (5818 kg ha-1) which was superior over only inorganics i.e 4473 kg ha-1 during 2015 and 5896 kg ha-1 superior over 100% RDF i.e 4598 kg ha-1 during 2016 year. The increment of yield with INM treatment was 30.0% and 28.22% during 2015 and 2016 years, respectively. Residual effect of INM treatment got the significantly higher values of plant height, dry matter accumulation, yield attributes, grain yield, stover yields of rabi crops of blackgram, maize, sorghum, sunflower and mustard crops, when compared to M1 treatment. The data regarding residual effect of INM treatment on soil properties after harvest of rabi crops also studied. The data revealed that irrespective of rabi crops, all the physical properties were non-significantly influenced by residual effect of INM. Even though, the increase of 1.6 to 9.75% was observed in improving physical properties. Available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium were significantly increased in M2 with a per cent of 3.67 to 7.29% , 4.0 to 9%, 2.142 to 2.92% during 2016 and 2017 years, respectively. Micronutrient contents were also significantly increased with application of INM. Regarding biological properties, residual effect of INM had influenced the DHA activity by 11.8% and 13.43% during 2016 and 2017 years, respectively. Fungi (8.37 to 18.36%) bacteria (15.11 to 20.0%) and actinomycetese (5.9 to 16.45%) populations were increased by residual effect of INM. Crop growth parameters, yield attributes, yield and nutrient content and uptake were significantly influenced by the residual effect of INM which was applied in the preceding kharif. Blackgram yield was increased by 6.33% and 7.52% in M2 when compared to M1 during first and second years, respectively. Maize crop kernel yield was increased by 13.68% and 25.93% with M2 treatment compared to M1 during first and second years, respectively. Sorghum crop grain yield was increased by 30% with treatment of M2 when compared to M1 treatment. Sunflower seed yield was increased by 40-50% apprx with inclusion of M2 than M1. Mustard seed yield was increased by 24 to 26% with inclusion of M2 compared to M1. Soil physical and physico-chemical properties were non-significantly affected by rabi crops. Soil available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium were significantly affected by rabi crops during 2015-16 and 2016-17 both the years. Among them, blackgram crop has increased soil available nitrogen by 32.5 kg ha-1 over initial value which was on par with mustard and sunflower sequence, which was superior over maize. The lowest available nitrogen was observed with maize. The highest mean available phosphorus was recorded in blackgram (72.8 kg ha-1) which was on par with sunflower (71.65 kg ha-1) and maize superior over sorghum sequence. Highest available potassium was recorded in blackgram (815 kg ha-1) followed by sorghum sequence, which was on par with other sequences and lowest was observed with sorghum sequence i.e the blackgram being legume, it has the capacity of fixing atmospheric nitrogen into soil and there by increased nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium contents and lowest values observed with sorghum (cereals) and maize due to their exhaustive nature. All the microbial populations of fungi, bacteria and actinomycetese were significantly increased by blackgram crop (being a legume and good root system) followed by sunflower, mustard (being dicot crops) and lowest was observed with sorghum and maize (being cereal crops and more exhaustive nature). So, in view of soil health, the rice-blackgram cropping system was the best cropping system. The net monitory returns, B:C ratio, rice grain equivalent yield, production use efficiency, land use efficiency, protein equivalent yields were higher with rice-maize cropping system followed by blackgram, mustard, sorghum and sunflower cropping systems.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    CARBON SEQUESTRATION AND SOIL HEALTH UNDER LONG TERM SOIL FERTILITY MANAGEMENT IN RICE- RICE CROPPING SYSTEM
    (Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, 2018) GOUTAMI, N; SUJANI RAO, CH
    A field experiment entitled “Carbon sequestration and soil health under long term soil fertility management in rice-rice cropping system" was carried out under field conditions during kharif and rabi seasons of 2016-2017 and 2017- 2018 at Andhra Pradesh Rice Research Institute and Regional Agricultural Research Station, Maruteru, West Godavari district in the ongoing All India Coordinated Research Project on Long Term Fertilizer Experiment Project. The results of the initial (1989) soil analysis indicated that the experimental soil is clay loam in texture, neutral in reaction, medium in organic carbon and medium in available nitrogen, low in available phosphorus and high in potassium, while micro-nutrients were all above critical levels. This experiment is a part of the ongoing experiments of All India Coordinated Research Project on Long Term Fertilizer Experiment initiated at APRRI and RARS, Maruteru during kharif 1989. The treatments consisted of control (T1), 100 per cent recommended dose of fertilizers (T2), 100 per cent recommended dose of NK (T3), 100 per cent recommended dose of PK (T4), 100 per cent recommended dose of NP (T5), 100 per cent recommended dose of fertilizer+ZnSO4 @ 40 kg ha-1 (T6), 100 per cent recommended dose of fertilizer+ZnSO4 @ 40 kg ha-1 + FYM @ 5 t ha-1(T7), 50 per cent recommended dose of NPK (T8), 50 % NPK + 50 % N through green manures (T9), 50 % NPK + 50 % N through FYM (T10), 50 % NPK + 25 % N through green manures + 25 % N through FYM (T11) and FYM only @ 10 t/ha (T12). All together there were twelve treatments laid out in randomized block design (RBD) with three replications for kharif and rabi seasons in two years of study. Popular cultivars of rice (kharif and rabi), MTU-1061and MTU-1010, respectively, were used for the study. The carbon pools were estimated at initial and harvest stage of crop during both the years of study and total carbon stock, carbon buildup/depletion and carbon sequestration rate were calculated after 29 years (1989-2018) of rice cultivation at the end of rabi season, 2018. The influence of long term use of fertilizers, manure application and their combination was evaluated for soil biological health by assaying soil urease, dehydrogenase activities at different growth stages. The soil quality parameters were assessed by analyzing the soil for physico-chemical, chemical and biological properties with special reference to the changes in soil enzyme activity. Plant samples at different growth stages were analysed for their nutrient concentration with respect to N, P and K and micronutrients and nutrient uptake was computed. Highest active pools (MBC, MBN, MBP, WSC, KMnO4-C and K2Cr2O7-C) and slow pools (POC) were observed with the application of 100% RDF in combination with ZnSO4 and FYM @5t ha-1. However, it was on par with that of application of 50 % NPK + 50 % N through FYM except for MBC. The higher MBC was observed with the application of 100% RDF in combination with ZnSO4 and FYM @ 5t ha-1 and however it was on par with the only organic treated plot i.e. FYM @ 10 t ha-1 and with that application of 50 % NPK + 50 % N through FYM. The higher passive pools (HAC and FAC) were observed in only organic plot i.e. application of FYM @ 10 t ha-1 and it was significantly superior over other treatments. Application of 100 % RDF along with ZnSO4 @ 40 kg ha-1 and application of 100 % RDF were not significant. Among different fertilized plots, SOC stocks and carbon sequestration rate in the 15 cm plough layer were significantly higher under 100% RDF + FYM + ZnSO4 (T7) followed by 50 % NPK + 50% N through FYM (T10). At the starting of the experiment in kharif, 1989, the soil organic carbon stock was 11.14 Mg ha-1 and after 29 years of continuous application of organic and inorganic fertilizers, SOC stocks ranged from 11.06 to 24.39 Mg ha-1 at harvest of rabi rice in 2018. In all the treatments, the urease and dehydrogenase enzyme activities showed an increasing trend with the age of the crop and exhibited highest activities at panicle initiation stage and thereafter the activity decreased towards harvest. The highest enzyme activity was observed with application of 100 % RDF + ZnSO4 +FYM @ 5t ha-1 (T7) (kharif and rabi) during both the years of study and it was significantly superior over other treatments. However it was on par with treatment T10. The application of zinc did not show any significant effect on enzyme activities. No significant difference was observed for enzyme activity between treatments 100% NPK (T2), 100% NK (T3), 100% NP (T5) and 100 % RDF+ ZnSO4 (T6). However the treatment T6 was significantly superior over T4 (100% PK) and T8 (50% NPK). Long-term application of inorganic fertilizers, organic manures and their combination didn’t show marked difference on physico-chemical properties of soil (pH and EC) except at panicle initiation and harvest stage. At initial, tillering, panicle initiation and at harvesting stage, the highest available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and micronutrients in soil was recorded with application of 100 % RDF + ZnSO4 + FYM @ 5t ha-1 (T7). The treatments T9 (50 % NPK + 50 % N through green manures), T10 (50 % NPK + 50 % N through FYM) and T11 (50 % NPK + 25 % N through FYM + 25 % N through green manures) were on par with each other in all four seasons of study. The highest dry matter production was observed with the application of 100% RDF in combination with ZnSO4 and FYM @ 5 t ha-1. However, it was on par with that of application of 100% RDF along with ZnSO4 @ 40 kg ha-1 during both the years of the study in kharif and rabi. The significantly highest grain and straw yield was observed with the application of 100% RDF in combination with ZnSO4 and FYM @ 5t ha-1 and it was significantly superior over other treatments. The data regarding influence of long-term use of inorganics, organics and their combination on nutrient content and uptake at different growth stages in kharif and rabi during both the years of the study indicated that there was significantly increase with application of 100% RDF in combination with ZnSO4 and FYM @ 5t ha-1. However, it was on par with that of application of 100 % RDF along with ZnSO4 @ 40 kg ha-1 and significantly superior over other treatments. The application of 50 % NPK + 50 % N through FYM was on par with 100 % RDF. Application of 100 % RDF along with ZnSO4 @ 40 kg ha-1 and application of 100 % NPK though not differ significantly and on par with each other during four seasons of study.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    STUDIES ON SOIL RELATED CONSTRAINTS AND THEIR EFFECT ON YIELD AND QUALITY OF SWEET ORANGE [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck] IN YSR DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH
    (Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, 2017) RAMANJANEYA REDDY, A; MUNASWAMY, V
    An investigation was carried out to study the soil related constraints and their effect on yield and quality of sweet orange in YSR district of Andhra Pradesh. To prosecute this investigation, fifty sweet orange orchards aged between 12 to 13 years were selected and soil samples were collected from these orchards at 0-30 cm and 30-60 cm depth. Further, fifty index leaf samples, fruit samples and irrigation water samples were also collected from respective soil sampled orchards. The soil samples were analyzed for physical properties like texture, colour, bulk density, particle density, percent pore space and water holding capacity, physico-chemical characteristics viz., pH, EC, OC, CEC, SAR, ESP and free CaCO3 and chemical properties viz., available N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu. Similarly, leaf samples were analyzed for total N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu and fruit samples were analyzed for per cent juice, titrable acidity, juice pH, TSS and vitamin-C. In irrigation water, quality parameters such as pH, EC, cations viz., Na+ , Ca2+, Mg2+, K+ and anions viz., CO3 2- , HCO3 - , Cl- , and SO4 2- were analyzed. The various soil textural classes identified were loamy sand (18%), sandy loam (42%), sandy clay loam (34%) and sandy clay (6%) at surface and sandy (4%), loamy sand (14%), sandy loam (38%), sandy clay loam (38%) and sandy clay (6%) at subsurface soils of the study area. The colour of the soils of the study area had their Munsell colour notation in the hue of 10YR/7.5YR/5YR/2.5YR with value 2 to 4 and chroma 0 to 4 at 0-30 cm depth and at 30-60 cm depth the hue of 10YR/7.5YR/5YR/2.5YR with value 2 to 4 and chroma 1 to 6. xvi The study area soil reaction varied widely, that indicated about 72% of the samples were mildly alkaline, 16% were moderately alkaline and 12% were strongly alkaline at 0-30 cm and at 30-60 cm, 48% were strongly alkaline, 38% were moderately alkaline and 14% were mildly alkaline in pH. The orchards were non-saline in nature as the EC of these soils was far below 4.0 dS m-1 . The study area soils were low to medium in organic carbon at surface and low in sub-surface. The organic carbon content decreased with increasing depth. Out of all the soils of sweet orange orchards studied, 82% were deficit in N and 18% were medium in N, 20% were deficient in P, 60% were medium in P and 20% were high in P, but in case of available K, 32% were in medium range and 68% were in high range. The higher exchangeable calcium and magnesium status was observed in all the orchards both in the surface and subsurface soils. In soils of sweet orange orchards studied, 24% and 78% were very low in available Fe and Zn, respectively. Low in available Fe, Zn and Mn were 68%, 18% and 8%, respectively. Medium in available Fe, Zn Mn and Cu were 8%, 4%, 38% and 18%, respectively. High in available Mn and Cu were 36% and 82%, respectively. Very high in available Mn was 18%. Two per cent of the leaf samples deficit in N, 8% deficit in P and 4% deficit in K. Low in N, P, K, Ca and Mg were 42%, 12%, 14%, 2% and 12%, respectively. High in N, P, K, Ca and Mg were 4%, 50%, 16%, 18% and 18%, respectively. Leaf Zn deficiency was the most severe among the 10 mineral elements tested and 62% of samples were deficient in Zn, followed by Fe (54%), Mn (52%) and Cu (26%). However, the average leaf content of N, P Ca and Cu was 2.03, 0.16, 2.66 and 8.29, respectively; which was much more than the optimum range. The negative significant correlation noticed between fruit yield and soil pH (r = -0.512**), free CaCO3 (r = -0.329*), SAR (r = -0.424**) and ESP (r = - 0.522**), and also observed a non-significant negative correlation between soil EC with fruit yield of sweet orange. Fruit yield and fruit weight was positively and significantly influenced by soil organic carbon content (r = 0.360* and r = 0.330*), because the organic carbon content of the soil had a significant positive influence on soil N (r = 0.716**). The soil mineral nutrients like N, P and K influenced the fruit weight significantly and positively (r = 0.469**, r = 0.446** and r = 0.415**, respectively). Fruit juice per cent had significant positive relation with soil N (r = 0.353*) and P (r = 0.364**). Soil P had a significant positive correlation with TSS (r = 0.438**). The pH of the water samples collected from sweet orange orchards of study area was varied from neutral to mildly alkaline. The EC of the irrigation water varied from 0.82 - 3.87 dS m-1 with a mean value of 1.82 dS m-1 . According to the irrigation EC classification, 76% of the xvii water samples were in high salinity i.e., C3 class and 24% of the water samples categorized as very high salinity i.e., C4 class. The concentration of major anions of irrigation water collected from all the sweet orange orchards were in the order of HCO3 - > Cl- > SO4 2- > CO3 2- and the cations were in the order of Na+ > Mg2+ > Ca2+ > K+ . The general constraints that were observed in the sweet orange orchards were low organic carbon, low to medium in available nitrogen and phosphorus content, wide spread deficiency of zinc and iron in the soils, low to medium soil Mn, wide occurrence of soil alkalinity, calcareousness and poor quality of irrigation water i.e., high to very high salinity of the irrigation water. Nutrient constraints can be overcome by regular application of required doses of fertilizers to the sweet orange orchards on soil and plant test based, application of liberal doses of manures, adapting integrated nutrient management system, foliar application of micronutrients and following fertigation technique. Calcareous soils can be managed by application of sulphur products, such as elemental sulphur or sulphuric acid (H2SO4) acts as soil acidifiers and these products potentially improve nutrient availability in calcareous soils by decreasing soil pH. Sodic soils can be managed by application of gypsum and organic manures. Cholorosis can be controlled by foliar application of composite mixture of zinc sulphate 0.5%, manganese sulphate 0.2%, boric acid 0.1%, urea 1% and lime 0.4% at two or three times in a year. The detailed study of the sweet orange crop revealed that the yield and quality of sweet orange grown under adverse soil environment would be reduced drastically due to the poor management practices. The unfavourable soil environment will not be suitable for growing sweet orange. For achieving the maximum yield and good quality, sweet orange crops can be grown in sandy loam or sandy clay loam soils free from CaCO3 coupled with best management practices.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    CHARACTERIZATION, CLASSIFICATION AND EVALUATION OF GROUNDNUT GROWING SOILS OF SRIKALAHASTI DIVISION IN CHITTOOR DISTRICT FOR SUSTAINABLE LAND USE PLANNING
    (Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, 2017) NAGARJUNA, V; NAIDU, M.V.S.
    The present investigation involves "Characterization, classification and evaluation of groundnut growing soils of Srikalahasti division in Chittoor district, Andhra Pradesh for sustainable land use planning". For this, twenty typical pedons from groundnut growing areas were studied for physical, physico-chemical, chemical properties and mineralogy. The area is characterized by semi-arid monsoonic climate with distinct summer, winter and rainy seasons. The pedons occurs in plains (P1, P2, P4, P5, P6 and P8), very gently sloping (P3, P7, P9, P10, P11, P12, P13, P14, P15, P16 and P17) and gently sloping (P18, P19 and P20) topography. The P4, P6, P14 and P16 were developed from alluvium parent material while P1, P2, P3, P5, P7, P8, P9, P10, P11, P12, P13, P15, P17, P18, P19 and P20 were originated from granite-gneiss. The morphological features indicated the presence of AC (P4, P6, P11, P13, P14, P17, P18, P19 and P20), A-(Bw)-C (P1, P3, P7, P8, P9, P10, P15 and P16) and A-(Bt)-C (P2, P5 and P12) profiles. The soils were deep to very deep in depth (expect P11), very light pale brown to very dark brown in colour, sand to sandy clay in texture (in the horizons of different pedons) and had varied structure including crumb, sub-angular blocky, angular blocky and single grain. xv The clay content in P11 and P18 exhibited almost a decreasing trend with depth whereas P1 and P12 showed an increasing trend with depth. However, no specific trend with depth was observed in remaining pedons. Physical constants like water holding capacity, loss on ignition and volume expansion followed the trend of clay content. All the pedons exhibited an irregular trend of bulk density with depth. The groundnut growing soils were moderately acidic to strongly alkaline (5.54 to 8.16) in reaction, non-saline (0.01 to 0.09) and low to medium (0.06 to 0.74 %) in organic carbon. These soils had CaCO3 ranging from 2.40 to 3.23 per cent. The CEC varied from 8.02 to 46.26 cmol (p+) kg-1 and exchange complex was dominated by Ca+2 followed by Mg+2, Na+ and K+ . Chemical composition of soils revealed that all the pedons registered higher silica content indicating siliceous nature. The soils were low to medium (19.20 to 247.60 mg kg-1 ) in available nitrogen, low to high (4.10 to 21.67 mg kg-1 ) in available phosphorus and potassium (30.23 to 408.14 mg kg-1 ) and deficient to sufficient in available sulphur (5.58 to 47.99 mg kg-1 ). The soils were sufficient in available Fe, Cu and Mn. However, available Zn was sufficient in surface horizons and deficient in sub-surface horizons in all pedons expect P13, P15 and P18 wherein it was found to be sufficient. Based on CEC / clay ratio, X-ray diffraction analysis, physical, chemical and physico-chemical properties, it is concluded that the mineralogy class for P1, P3, P7, P8, P9, P10, P14 and P16 was smectitic whereas, mineralogy class for P2, P5 and P12 was kaolinitic. However, P4, P6, P11, P13, P17, P18, P19 and P20 have more silica (>80), hence the mineralogy class for these pedons was siliceous. Based on the morphological, physical, physico-chemical, mineralogical and meteorological data, the groundnut growing soils in Srikalahasti division of Chittoor district were classified as: Fine-loamy, smectitic, isohyperthermic, Typic Haplustepts (P1, P8, P9 and P10); Coarse-loamy, kaolinitic, isohyperthermic, Typic Haplustalfs (P2); Coarse-loamy, smectitic, isohyperthermic, Typic Haplustepts (P3 and P15); Sandy, siliceous, isohyperthermic, Typic Ustifluvents (P4); Fine-loamy, kaolinitic, isohyperthermic, Typic Haplustalfs (P5 and P12); Sandy, siliceous, isohyperthermic, Typic Ustipsamments (P6); Fine-loamy, smectitic, isohyperthermic, Vertic Haplustepts (P7); Coarseloamy, siliceous, isohyperthermic, Lithic Ustorthents (P11); Fine-loamy, siliceous, isohyperthermic, Typic Ustrorthents (P13); Fine-loamy, smectitic, isohyperthermic, Fulventic Haplustepts (P14 and P16); Coarse-loamy, siliceous, isohyperthermic, Typic Ustrorthents (P17, P18 and P20) and Sandy, siliceous, isohyperthermic, Lithic Ustrorthents (P19). xvi Based on climate, site and soil characteristics, the groundnut growing soils of Srikalahasti division of Chittoor district were classified into land capability classes and sub-classes viz., IIIs (P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, P6, P8, P9, P14 and P15), IIIes (P18), IVs (P10, P13, P16 and P17), IVes (P7, P12 and P20) and VIes (P11 and P19). The soil-site suitability evaluation of groundnut growing soils of Srikalhasti division indicated that P2, P3, P4 P5, P7, P10, P13, P14, P16 and P17 were suitable (S1), P1, P6, P8, P12, P15, P18 and P20 were moderately suitable (S2 – constraints of soil pH, organic carbon and soil depth) and P9, P11 and P19 were marginally suitable (S3 – constraints of soil pH, organic carbon and soil depth) for growing groundnut crop. Production potential of groundnut growing soils of Srikalahasti division revealed that P1, P2, P3, P5, P6, P7, P8, P9, P10, P12, P13, P14, P15, P16, P17 and P18 of were grouped under the good productivity class while P4, P11, P19 and P20 were classified under average class. The coefficient of improvement (Ci) varied from 1.23 to 2.61 indicating the implementation of judicious soil and water management practices to sustain crop productivity. Groundnut index leaf samples were severely deficient in leaf N, severely deficient to deficient in leaf P, adequate in leaf K, S, Fe, Cu and Mn and marginally adequate to adequate in leaf Zn.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    LAND SUITABILITY ASSESSMENT FOR MAIZE IN KRISHNA DELTA REGION OF ANDHRA PRADESH USING REMOTE SENSING AND GIS
    (Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, 2016) SIVA JYOTHI, V; PRASUNA RANI, P
    The present investigation entitled “Land suitability assessment for maize in Krishna delta region of Andhra Pradesh using remote sensing and GIS” was carried out to characterize and classify the soils of Krishna delta and to assess the suitability for maize. The maps depicting the changes in cropping pattern were prepared using remote sensing data and GIS. Soil samples for characterization, classification of study area were collected from representative pedons selected using remote sensing data (LANDSAT-8) and ground truth information. The samples were analyzed for physico-chemical, physical and chemical properties using standard procedures and were classified following USDA soil taxonomy classification (Soil Survey Staff, 2014). Suitability and capability classification of the study area was carried out as outlined by FAO (1976) and Sehgal (2008), respectively. The soil map including suitability classes was prepared using ARC GIS. The yield gap analysis was done using AquaCrop model. The study on temporal changes in cropping pattern during 1996-97 to 2015-16 revealed considerable reduction in rice-pulse system with corresponding increase in rice-maize system. The study area was characterized by semi-arid monsoonic climate with distinct summer, winter and rainy seasons. The soils were developed from fluvial sediments and coastal sediments. The soils were deep to very deep, very dark grayish brown to very dark gray in colour, clay to sandy in texture and single grain to angular blocky in structure. The bulk density values of the soils were low at surface compared to subsurface layers. Pore space, water holding capacity, volume expansion and sticky point values varied according to clay content. The soils were near neutral to slightly alkaline in reaction, non-saline to slightly saline, low to high in organic carbon and low to medium in CaCO3. The CEC values were varied from 3.37 to 66.20 cmol (p+) kg-1 and the exchange complex was dominated by calcium followed by magnesium, sodium and potassium. The analytical data of nutrient status of Krishna delta indicated that the soils were low to medium in available nitrogen, low to high in available phosphrous and potassium and deficient to sufficient in available sulphur, sufficient in manganese however remaining micronutrients (Fe, Zn and Cu) were deficient to sufficient. Chemical composition of soils revealed silica and sesquioxides were the dominant fractions followed by calcium and magnesium oxides. The coarse textured pedons registered high silica content revealed that siliceous nature. Based on morphological, physical, physico-chemical properties of the soils and climate of the region the maize growing soils of Krishna delta region were classified as: Pedon 1 : Fine, smectitic, isohyperthermic, Typic Haplustepts. Pedons 5 and 10 : Fine, smectitic, isohyperthermic (calcareous), Typic Haplustepts. Pedon 2 : Very-fine, smectitic, isohyperthermic, Udic Haplusterts. Pedons 3 and 6 : Fine, smectitic, isohyperthermic, Typic Haplusterts. Pedons 7 and 14 : Fine, smectitic, isohyperthermic (calcareous), Typic Haplusterts. Pedon 4 : Very-fine, smectitic, isohyperthermic, Typic Haplusterts. Pedon 13 : Very-fine, smectitic, isohyperthermic (calcareous), Typic Haplusterts. Pedon 8 : Fine, smectitic, isohyperthermic (calcareous), Vertic Haplustepts. Pedon 9 : Loamy, smectitic, isohyperthermic, Udic Ustorthents. Pedon 11 : Siliceous, isohyperthermic, Typic Ustipsamments. Pedon 12 : Siliceous, isohyperthermic, Oxyaquic Ustipsamments. The soils represented by pedons 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10 and 14 are moderately suitable (S2) due to moderate limitations of wetness, soil physical characteristics, fertility, soil salinity and alkalinity while, pedons 6, 9 and 13 are marginally suitable (S3f) with severe limitations of soil fertility (f) while, pedons 11 and 12 exhibited severe limitations of wetness (w) to maize, soil physical characteristics (s) and soil fertility (f). Based on the soil properties, the maize growing soils of Krishna delta were classified into land capability classes and sub-classes viz., IIIswf (pedons 1, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 13), IIIws (pedons 2, 3, 5 and 14), IVf (pedon 11) and IVsf (pedon 12). Yield gap of 28 to 58 per cent of observed yield and 21 to 39 per cent of simulated yield with potential yield was observed in the study area. The yield gap between potential yield and simulated/observed maize yield was wide in biomass than kernel. The mean yield gap was found to be lowest in clay textured soils followed by loamy sand and sand.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    DYNAMICS OF SOIL CHARACTERISTICS AS INFLUENCED BY ORGANIC AND INORGANIC SOURCES OF NUTRIENTS IN RICE FALLOW MAIZE CROPPING SYSTEM
    (Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Guntur, 2015) MOHANA RAO, PULI; Dr. P.R.K. PRASAD
    In order to arrive at a profitable and eco-friendly nutrient management, it is necessary to consider cropping sequence as a whole rather than an individual crop, as the need for different nutrients by a crop would vary depending upon the preceding crop and its nutrient management. With this background, a field experiment was conducted for two consecutive years (2011-2012 and 2012-2013) on fine texture soils of Agricultural college farm, Bapatla. The experiment was laidout in a randomized block design for rice in kharif season with four treatments and replicated five times. The treatments consisted of M1 (RDF - Control), M2 (10t FYM ha-1 + RDF), M3 (1.5t vermicompost ha-1 + RDF), M4 (Green manuring + RDF). During the immediate rabi, the experiment was laid out in a split-plot design without disturbing the soil for succeeding maize with the four treatments given to kharif rice as main plot treatments and each of these divided into five sub-plots to receive five levels of fertilizer NPK application viz., N1 - 75%NPK, N2 - 100% NPK, N3 - 125% NPK, N4 - 150% NPK and N5 - 175% NPK for succeeding maize. The experiment on rice - maize sequence as detailed above was repeated on a separate site but in the same block during kharif 2012 and rabi 2013, respectively. Popular cultivars of rice and maize, BPT – 5204 and 30 V 92, respectively, were used for the study. Data collected on growth parameters viz., plant height, dry matter accumulation, yield attributes, grain yield, straw yield and nutrient content of rice were significantly higher with the application of 100%NPK in combination with FYM @10t ha-1. However, it was on par with that of green manuringtogether with 100% NPK during both the years of the study. Data collected on succeeding maize on growth parameters, yield attributes, yield, and nutrient content and uptake were significantly influenced by the nutrient management imposed to preceding rice crop, irrespective of NPK levels given to succeeding maize in the sequence. Plant height, dry matter accumulation, cob length, number of kernels cob-1 and kernel weight cob-1, test weight, kernel yield, stover yield, nutrient content and uptake of maize recorded in all those plots, which received organics along with 100% NPK to preceding rice were more than those received fertilizer NPK alone. Irrespective of nutrient management in kharif rice, increased N PK application to maize (75% to 175%) increased the kernel yield significantly in both the years (6825kg ha-1 to 8949kg ha-1 and 6544kg ha-1 to 8367kg ha-1, respectively). The maximum kernel yield (9116kg ha-1) of maize during 2012 was recorded with the application of 175% NPK and the residual effect of green manuring along with 100% NPK imposed to preceding rice crop whereas it was recorded with the application of 175% NPK and the residual effect of FYM @ 10t ha-1 along with 100% NPK imposed to preceding rice crop during 2013. The data regarding influence of organics applied to preceding rice crop and NPK levels applied to maize on nutrient content and uptake at different growth stages during both the years of the study was increased significantly with increase in level of NPK application to maize up to 125% NPK (N3) whereas, the treatments N3, N4 and N5 were on par with each other regardless the organics applied to preceding rice crop during both the years of the study. Application of organics in combination with inorganic fertilizers to preceding rice crop, irrespective of NPK levels, resulted in significant increase in nutrient content and uptake of succeeding maize in rabi than the treatment that had not received organics during both the years of study. In general, the available nutrient status and soil fertility status after harvest of each cropping sequence was higher by following organics along with 100% NPK imposed to preceding rice crop than that of 100% NPK alone.