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Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University, Guntur (AP)

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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2017 - 20199
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Subject: Soil Science and Agriculture Chemistry × End date: 2019 × Start date: 2017 × Thesis Type: Ph.D ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    PHOSPHORUS DYNAMICS IN RELATION TO NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT IN RICE- BLACKGRAM CROPPING SEQUENCE
    (ACHARYA N G RANGA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY, GUNTUR, 2019) JAGGA RAO, I; SUJANI RAO, Ch
    A field experiment entitled “Phosphorus dynamics in relation to nutrient management in rice-blackgram cropping sequence” was conducted for two consecutive years (2017-2018 and 2018-2019) at Agricultural College Farm, Bapatla. The experimental soil was clay loam in texture, slightly alkaline in reaction, low in organic carbon and low in available nitrogen, medium in available phosphorus and high in potassium, while micro-nutrients (Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu) were all above critical levels. The experiment was laid out in a split plot design and replicated thrice. The treatments consisted of RDNK (M0), RDNK+FYM @ 5t ha-1 (M1), RDNK+sunhemp @ 10t ha-1 (M2) and RDNK+Dhaincha @ 10t ha-1(M3) as main plots and five phosphorus levels to rice crop comprising of 0 kg P2O5 ha-1 (P1), 30 kg P2O5 ha-1 (P2) and 60 kg P2O5 ha-1 (P3), 90 kg P2O5 ha-1 (P4) and 120 kg P2O5 ha-1 (P5) as sub- plot treatments. These treatments were imposed to rice crop during kharif season. The rabi experiment was continued on the same site without disturbing the soil for succeeding blackgram crop to study residual effect of organic manures and P levels applied to preceeding rice crop. Popular cultivars of rice and blackgram viz., BPT-5204 and TBG 104 respectively, were chosen for the study. Application of organic manures and inorganic P fertilizer showed marked difference on physico-chemical properties of soil (pH and EC) at tillering, panicle initiation and harvest stage of rice. At all growth stages of rice, the highest available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, micronutrients (Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu), urease, dehydrogenase and microbial population (bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes) in soil were recorded with application of RDNK+Dhaincha @ 10t ha-1(M3) and this was on par with RDNK+ Sunhemp @ 10t ha-1(M2) in all four seasons of study. The pH, EC, manganese, copper and microbial population were not significantly differed among the P levels but the available nutrient status (N, P and K) were increased with the increasing level of P from 0 (P1) to 120 kg P2O5 (P5) ha-1 except micronutrients, where xxxi micronutrients were decreased from 0 to 120 kg P2O5 ha-1, irrespective of the nutrients imposed to rice crop. Regarding available N, P and K was recoeded highest in P5 (120 kg P2O5 ha-1) and this was on par with P4 (90 kg P2O5 ha-1), whereas the micronutrients were significantly higher in treatment P1 that received 0 kg P2O5 ha-1 and this was on par with P2 that received 30 kg P2O5 ha-1, while this was on par with P3 (60 kg P2O5 ha-1). However, the similar trend was followed in succeeding blackgram. In all the treatments inorganic P fractions viz., Saloid-P and Ca-P was significantly higher with the application of 100% RDNK in combination with Dhaincha @ 10t ha-1 (M3), however, it was on par with that of application of RDNK+Sunhemp @ 10t ha-1 (M2). But Iron-P, Al-P and Tot-P was significantly higher in 100% RDNK in combination with Dhaincha @ 10t ha-1 and this was on par with RDNK+Sunhemp @ 10t ha-1 and RDNK+FYM @ 5t ha-1 (M1). All P fractions were significantly increased with increasing P level from 0 to 120 kg P2O5 ha-1. The highest was recorded in P5 (120 kg P2O5 ha-1) and it was on par with P4 (90 kg P2O5 ha-1). Similarly, in succeeding blackgram Saloid-P, Fe-P, Al-P and Ca-P was significantly higher with the application of 100% RDNK in combination with Dhaincha @ 10t ha-1 (M3), however, it was on par with that of application of RDNK+sunhemp @ 10t ha-1 (M2), while M2 was remain on par with RDNK+FYM (M1). But Tot-P was significantly higher in 100% RDNK in combination with Dhaincha @ 10t ha-1 and this was on par with RDNK+sunhemp @ 10t ha-1 and RDNK+FYM @ 5t ha-1 (M1). Nutrient content of rice crop were significantly higher with the application of 100% RDNK in combination with Dhaincha @10t ha-1 (M3) over RDNK alone (M0). However, it was on par with that of application of 100% RDNK along with sunhemp (M2) during both the years of the study. Among the P levels applied to rice crop, the nutrient content of N, P,K and S was significantly higher in P5 (120 kg P2O5 ha-1) and this was on par with P4 (90 kg P2O5 ha-1) but micronutrients except iron and zinc were higher in P1 (0 kg P2O5 ha-1). Regarding uptake of N, P, K, S and micronutrients were significantly higher in P5 (120 kg P2O5 ha-1) and lowest in P1 (0 kg P2O5 ha-1). Similarly, in succeeding blackgram among the organic manure treatments the same trend was followed as in rice but among the P levels, the nutrient content of N, K, S and micronutrients were not significantly differed except P. The content of P was recorded highest in P5 (120 kg P2O5 ha-1) and it was on par with P4 (90 kg P2O5 ha-1), while P4 was on par with P3 (60 kg P2O5 ha-1). Regarding uptake of N, P, K, S and micronutrients except iron and zinc were recorded highest in P5 (120 kg P2O5 ha-1) and it was on par P4 (90 kg P2O5 ha-1) and P3 (60 kg P2O5 ha-1) during both the years of the study. Drymatter production, grain yield and straw yield of rice were significantly higher with the application of 100% RDNK in combination with Dhaincha @10t ha-1 (M3) and it was on par with that of application of RDNK along with sunhemp @10t ha-1 (M2). However significantly lower was recorded in RDNK alone (M0) during both the years of the study. Among the P levels, the treatment P5 (120 kg P2O5 ha-1) recorded significantly highest dry matter production, grain and straw yield and it was on par with P4 (90 kg P2O5 ha-1) and P3 (60 kg P2O5 ha-1) and lowest was recorded in P1 (0 kg P2O5 ha-1). In succeeding blackgram drymatter production and yield were significantly influenced by the nutrient management imposed to preceding rice crop. The drymatter production, seed yield and haulm yield of were significantly higher with the application of 100% RDNK in combination with Dhaincha @10t ha-1 (M3) and it was on par with that of application of RDNK along with sunhemp @10t ha-1 (M2) and RDNK+ FYM @ xxxii 5t ha-1 (M1). However significantlylower was recorded in RDNK alone (M0) during both the years of the study. Among the P levels, the treatment P4 (90 kg P2O5 ha-1) recorded significantly highest drymatter production and it was on par with P5 (120 kg P2O5 ha-1), P3 (60 kg P2O5 ha-1) and P2 (30 kg P2O5 ha-1), while lowest was recorded in P1 (0 kg P2O5 ha-1). Harvest index was significantly recorded higher in application of 100% RDNK in combination with Dhaincha @10t ha-1 (M3). However, it was on par with that of application of RDNK along with sunhemp @ 10t ha-1 (M2) and RDNK+ FYM @ 5t ha-1 (M1). Irrespective of the P levels, harvest index was slightly increased but not statistically significant. The similar trend was followed in succeeding blackgram also. Quality parameters of rice grain viz., amylose and protein were recoeded significantly higher in RDNK+Dhaincha @10t ha-1 (M3) and this was on par with that of application of RDNK along with sunhemp @10t ha-1 (M2), while M2 was remain on par with RDNK+ FYM @ 5t ha-1 (M1). Among the P levels, the content of amylose and protein was slightly increased from 0 to 120 kg P2O5 ha-1 but not significantly differed. Similarly the data regarding influence of organics and P levels applied to preceeding rice crop on protein content of succeeding blackgram followed same trend as in rice. From this study, it can be concluded that application of RDNK+green manure along with 60 kg P2O5 ha-1 to kharif rice crop is optimum for rice- blackgram cropping sequence of Krishna Agro climatic zone of Andhra Pradesh.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    DETAILED SOIL SURVEY OF TATRAKALLU VILLAGE OF ANANTAPURAMU DISTRICT OF ANDHRA PRADESH USING AIRBORNE HYPERSPECTRAL REMOTE SENSING
    (ACHARYA N G RANGA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY, GUNTUR, 2019) SASHI KALA, G; NAIDU, M.V.S.
    The present investigation involves "Detailed soil survey of Tatrakallu village of Anantapuramu district of Andhra Pradesh using airborne hyperspectral remote sensing". For this purpose, twenty two (22) typical pedons from Tatrakallu village were studied for their morphological, physical, physico-chemical and chemical properties. Besides this, two hundred and fifty surface soil samples (0-15 cm) were collected with GPS coordinates and were analysed for pH, EC, macronutrients ( N, P2O5, K2O and S) and micronutrients (Zn, Cu, Fe and Mn) and were mapped by using ArcGIS v 10.3 environment. The area was characterized by semi-arid monsoonic climate with distinct summer, winter and rainy seasons. The pedons occur in plains (P16, P17, P18, P19 and P20), very gently sloping (P12, P13, P14, P15 and P21) gently sloping (P1, P2, P3, P4, P6, P7, P8, P10 and P11), moderately sloping (P5 and P9) and very steeply sloping (P22) topography. The P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, P6, P7, P8, P9, P10, P11, P12, P13, P14, P15, P21 and P22 were originated from granite-gneiss whereas P16, P17, P18, P19 and P20 were developed from limestone. The pedons in the study area were characterized by AC / AR (P1, P2, P3, P5, P8, P9, P10, P11, P21 and P22) and ABC / ABR ( P4, P6, P7, P12, P13, P14, P15, P16, P17, P18, P19 and P20) profiles. The soils were shallow to very deep in depth, very dark gray to yellowish red in colour, gravelly loamy sand to clay in texture and exhibited single grain, crumb, sub-angular and angular blocky structure. The clay content in P3, P6 and P15 exhibited an increasing trend with depth and P2, P7, P8, P14, P20 and P21 showed a decreasing trend with xviii depth. However, no specific trend with depth was observed in the remaining pedons. Physical constants like water holding capacity, loss on ignition and volume expansion followed the trend of clay content. Bulk density showed an increasing trend with depth corresponding to decreasing organic carbon with depth in all the pedons. COLE values increased with depth in P16 and P19 and no specific trend with depth was observed in P17, P18 and P20. The soils of Tatrakallu village were slightly acid to strongly alkaline (6.50 to 9.01) in reaction, non-saline (0.01 to 1.90 dSm-1) and low to medium (0.1 to 0.67%) in organic carbon. The CaCO3 content was ranged from 0.50 to 25.22 per cent. The ESP was low to high (0.50 to 33.50 %). The CEC values were low to high (6.48 to 50.64 cmol (p+) kg-1) and exchange complex was dominated by Ca2+ followed by Mg2+, Na+ and K+. The soils were low (64.12 to 265.52 kg ha-1) in available nitrogen, low to high (1.25 to 85.50 kg P2O5 ha-1 soil) in available phosphorous and potassium (35.61 to 693.23 kg K2O ha-1) and deficient to sufficient (6.28 to 54.81 mg kg-1) in available sulphur. However, deficient to sufficient in DTPA extractable Zn, Fe and Mn and sufficient in DTPA extractable Cu. The mineralogy class for P11, P16, P17, P18, P19 and P20 was smectitic whereas the mineralogy class for P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, P6, P7, P8, P9, P10, P12, P13, P14, P15,P 21 and P22 was mixed based on CEC / clay ratio. Based on the morphological, physical, physico-chemical, mineralogical and meteorological data, the soils in Tatrakallu village were classified into Entisol, Inceptisol, Alfisol and Vertisol orders and these soils were classified at family level as: Pedons 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 9, 10, 21 and 22 : Loamy-skeletal, mixed, isohyperthermic, Lithic Ustorthent Pedons 4 and 14 : Loamy-skeletal, mixed, isohyperthermic, Typic Haplustept Pedon 6 : Loamy-skeletal, mixed, isohyperthermic, Typic Haplustalf Pedon 7 : Loamy-skeletal, mixed, isohyperthermic, Lithic Haplustept Pedon 11 : Coarse – loamy, smectitic, isohyperthermic, Typic Ustifluvent Pedon 12 : Fine –loamy, mixed, isohyperthermic, Typic Haplustalf Pedon 13 : Coarse – loamy, mixed, isohyperthermic, Fluventic Haplustept Pedon 15 : Loamy-skeletal, mixed, isohyperthermic, Lithic Haplustalf Pedon 16 and 18 : Fine, smectitic, isohyperthermic, Sodic Haplustert Pedon 17 : Fine, smectitic, isohyperthermic, Sodic Calciustert Pedon 19 : Fine, smectitic, isohyperthermic, Typic Haplustert Pedon 20 : Fine, smectitic, isohyperthermic, Leptic Haplustert Fourteen soil series were identified in the study area and were mapped into twenty one different soil mapping units. xix The hyperspectral data revealed that kaolinite, smectite and illite are the dominant clay minerals in Tatrakallu village which were in accordance with XRD analysis. Kaolinite mineral in the study area was identified by strong absorption band at 1400 nm along with a weak band at 1900 nm whereas smectite clay mineral in study area was identified by stronger absorption band at 1900 nm which was caused by bound water molecules in this hydrous clay. However, illite clay mineral was identified by two diagnostic absorption peaks at 1400 nm and 2200 nm regions. Soil reaction, organic carbon, available N, P2O5 and K2O showed positive and significant correlation at visible region (400 - 750 nm) with good fit for organic carbon (R2 = 0.607) and poor fit for available N (R2 = 0.249). However EC and available S were negative and significant throughout visible and SWIR. The DTPA extractable Fe, Mn and Zn were negatively correlated with soil reflectance at lower wavelength region (400 – 500 nm) and positively and significantly correlated beyond 600 nm. The fourteen soil series were classified into six land capability subclasses such as IIIs (TTK9 and TTK14), IIIw (TTK11 and TTK13), IIIws (TTK12), IVs (TTK7, TTK5 and TTK10), IVes (TTK3, TTK4, TTK6 and TTK8) and VIes (TTK1 and TTK2). Similarly, the soils of study area were grouped in to four land irrigability sub-classes namely, 3s (TTK3, TTK4 and TTK7), 4s (TTK9, TTK12, TTK13 and TTK14), 5s (TTK2, TTK5, TTK6, TTK8, TTK10 and TTK11) and 6s (TTK1) The Soil series viz., TTK4 was marginally suitable (S3) for growing groundnut, pigeonpea, chickpea and castor whereas the soil series such as TTK6, TTK8 and TTK10 were marginally suitable for growing pigeonpea, chickpea and groundnut and not suitable for growing castor. Soil series namely TTK2 and TTK14 were marginally suitable for growing pigeonpea and chickpea and not suitable for growing groundnut and castor crops. However the soil series such as TTK1, TTK3, TTK5, TTK7, TTK9, TTK11, TTK12, TTK13 were not suitable (N) for growing all the crops namely groundnut, pigeonpea and chickpea and castor crops. Production potential revealed that, actual productivity of soil series was poor, average and good whereas potential productivity of soil series was poor, good and excellent. The coefficient of improvement (Ci) varied from 1.42 to 2.85 indicating the implementation of judicious soil and water management practices to sustain soil productivity. Soil fertility maps were also prepared for Tatrakallu village 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 platform using ArcGIS 10.3 version.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    IDENTIFICATION OF SOIL RELATED CONSTRAINTS OF BENGALGRAM (Cicer arietinum L.) GROWING AREAS IN KOILKUNTLA DIVISION OF KURNOOL DISTRICT USING REMOTE SENSING AND GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEM (GIS)
    (ACHARYA N G RANGA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY, GUNTUR, 2019) SALMA BANU, D; MUNASWAMY, V
    A study was undertaken to identify the soil related constraints, delineate the spatial variability of soil fertility status in order to suggest fertilizer recommendations and crop suitability analysis of bengal gram growing soils Koilkuntla Agriculture division in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh state using remote sensing and GIS techniques. Georeferenced samples were collected from the study area following spatially balanced sampling technique. The soil samples were analysed for various soil fertility parameters by adopting standard procedures. Ground truth analysis indicated that soils of the study area were slightly acidic to highly alkaline, with low electrical conductivity (EC) ranges. The Available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sulphur content showed much variation with high coefficient of variation. Soils vary across fields and within the fields in the division, hence detailed study in mandals namely Koilkuntla, Uyyalawada, Sanjamala, Owk, Dornipadu and Kolimigundla was carried. The data revealed that in total study area (Koilkuntla division) coefficient of variation (CV) was high for magnesium, sulphur and phosphorus content, some other nutrients also have high values of CV confirming the existence of spatial variability within field of the different mandals. xix The micronutrients content in soils exhibited sufficient status of Cu and Mn and deficit status for Fe and Zn. The coefficient of variation in the Koilkuntla division for available Cu, Mn, Fe and Zn was 9.13, 29.10, 27.06 and 48.52 per cent respectively. The larger CV depicts that within the division there was much variation in the micronutrient status, indicating that soil fertility was not homogeneous. The extent of spatial variability of soil fertility status was studied at division and mandal level and it varied with the nutrients under study. Spatial variability of soil properties such as pH, EC, available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulphur and available micronutrients were studied and maps were generated using geo-statistics. In the present study, based on thematic maps, a major area of Koilkuntla divison was alkaline (98.4%), non- saline (100%), medium in organic carbon (55.2%), low in available N (100%) and high in available P (86.4%) and K (93.6%), available S (55.2%), Ca (100%) and Mg (100%) were sufficient. With regard to available micronutrients, Zn (83.6%) and Fe (66.8%) were predominantly deficient while Cu (100%) and Mn (100%) were in sufficient status. As a whole, available N, Zn and Fe were the major nutrient constraints in bengalgram growing soils of Koilkuntla Agriculture division. Soils of bengalgram growing area of the study area belongs to medium to heavy black soils. Hence, no distinguished horizons could be identified and so depth wise sampling was done. Physico-chemical poperties like pH and EC did not show any specific trend with depth, while organic carbon showed decreasing trend with depth. Available N, P, and K showed decreasing trend with in majority of the pedons, while sulphur showed irregular trend with depth. All micronutrients showed decreasing trend with depth in majority of the pedons. Based on the morphological and physical properties, the soils of pedon 1 to 10 classified as Typic Calciusterts and Pedon 11 as Vertic Haplustepts. Correlation studies of soil properties in the study area revealed that available S, Fe, Zn were positively and significantly correlated with pH, organic carbon and Cu was significantly and positively correlated with EC. Available N, K, Cu and Mn were significantly and positively correlated with organic carbon. P was positively and significantly correlated with Zn, sulphur was positively and significantly correlated with Fe and Zn, available Ca and Mg were positively and significantly correlated with each other. Cu was positive and significantly correlated with K, Mn, Zn, and Fe where as Mn and Fe were positively and significantly correlated with each other. Site specific fertilizer recommendations for bengalgram in Koilkuntla division and mandals are made utilizing the spatial variability maps of N, P and K. The recommended doses of nitrogen are 48, 42, 35, 28, 21 and 15 kg N ha-1 for the areas under available nitrogen ranges of <100, 101-125, 126 xx 150, 151-175, 176-200 and >200 kg ha-1 zones respectively. The recommended doses of phosphorus are 8, 15, 91, 100, 109, 118 kg P2O5 kg ha-1 for the areas under available phosphorus ranges of 36-40, 31-35, 26-30, 21-25, 1620 and 11-15 kg ha-1 zones respectively. The recommended doses of potassium are 49, 44, 38, 33, 27, 22, 16, 11 and 5 kg K2O ha-1 for the areas under available potassium ranges of <200, 201-225, 226-250, 251-275, 276300, 301-325, 326-350, 351-375, 376-400 and <300 kg ha-1 zones respectively. In the study area, farmers are in the habit of drilling the fertilizer (DAP or 28:28:0) in advance prior to the sowing rains which is leading to loss of nitrogen, by the time seedling germinates. So, there is a need of N fertilizer application both at division and mandal level when compared to the general recommendation of 20 kg N ha-1. The application of phosphorus as per the above recommendation reveals that there was a significant reduction in P fertilizer application both at division and mandal level when compared to the general recommendation of 50 P2O5 kg ha-1. The application of potassium as per the general recommendation reveals that in maximum area there is no need of K fertilizer application at division and mandal level same as per the general recommendations. The soil site suitability maps for bengalgram, sorghum and sunflower delineate the areas into suitable and not suitable. The parameters like soil pH, slope and drainage were found to limit the soil suitability classification for bengalgram crop in the study area. This information helps for selecting proper cropping pattern at local level. In conclusion it can be summarized that the new technologies such as remote sensing, GIS and GPS have opened a new era in generating natural resource database to integrate and assess their potential on spatial basis. Integration of GIS in the present study was highly useful in identification of soil related constraints spatially and in generating the fertilizer recommendation maps and soil suitability assessment. Also, by identifying the soil related constraints in the study area, it made clear that there is a need of adoption of soil test crop response based integrated plant nutrition system (STCR-IPNS) and micronutrient recommendations to bengalgram and other crops would enhance the crop productivity, fertilizer use efficiency and alleviate the deficiencies over long run.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    SPATIAL VARIABILITY IN SOIL NUTRIENT STATUS AND SOIL FERTILITY MAPPING USING GEOSPATIAL TECHNIQUES IN KURNOOL DIVISION OF ANDHRA PRADESH
    (ACHARYA N G RANGA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY, GUNTUR, 2019) BALAJI NAYAK, S; BALAGURAVAIAH, D
    A study was undertaken to assess the relation between soil available nutrient content and spectral indices, soil fertility status, delineation of spatial variability of soil fertility status in order to prepare soil available nutrient maps, identification of constraints and suggest fertilizer recommendations and nutrient management options for improved productivity in different crops grown in the study area of Kurnool revenue division in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh state using remote sensing and GIS techniques. Georeferenced soil samples were collected in two season’s viz., rabi 201617 and 2017-18 from the study area using GPS receiver. The soil samples were analysed for various soil fertility parameters by adopting standard procedures. Soil analysis of the study area during 2016-17 and 2017-18 indicated that the soils are neutral to strongly alkaline in reaction with low electrical conductivity. The organic carbon was low to medium in range. The soils were low to medium in available nitrogen, low to high in available phosphorus and medium to high in available potassium. The available secondary and micro nutrients viz., Ca, Mg, S and Mn were sufficient whereas Zn, Fe and Cu are deficient to sufficient in range. Spatial variability of soil properties was studied and maps were generated based on the data generated using geo-statistics. In the present study, the variability was observed in the availability of all the nutrients except calcium, magnesium and manganese. The spatial variability was high with phosphorus followed by sulphur, zinc, iron, nitrogen, potassium and copper. A significant and positive correlation was observed between NDVI and available nitrogen only during 2017-18 whereas both organic carbon and xv available nitrogen had significant and positive correlation with NDVI during 2016-17 in bengalgram. A significant and positive correlation was observed between the NDVI and organic carbon and available nitrogen in cotton crop during 2016-17. However, no significant correlation was observed between NDVI and organic carbon or available nitrogen during 2017-18 under cotton cropping. The main soil constraints faced by farmers were low soil fertility followed by inadequate organic matter in the soil. The main production constraints noticed were lack of knowledge on soil testing and soil test based fertilizer application followed by inadequate knowledge on basal application of phosphorous fertilizers, split application of nitrogen fertilizers, poor availability of improved variety and lack of adoption of optimum seed rate. The socio-economic related constraints faced by farmers were high cost on labour and inputs. The other constraints during the survey were lack of training facilities, knowledge about latest production technologies, lack of knowledge club/group/union etc., The spatial variability maps were generated and delineated into different zones for N, P and K. The site specific fertilizer recommendations for cotton and bengalgram for both years viz., 2016-17 and 2017-18 in Kurnool division were developed utilizing the thematic maps of spatial variability of N, P and K status. It can be summarized that remote sensing and GIS technologies are highly reliable in generating natural resource database to integrate and assess their potential on spatial basis. The use of geostatistics enabled the assessment of heterogeneous nature of fertility variations. Integration of GIS with various models in the present study was highly useful in correlation studies between spectral indices and soil properties, generating the soil fertility and fertilizer recommendation maps. These studies can be extended up to village level for micro level planning and management of crop fields provided the real time availability of high spatial resolution satellite data is ready available. Further, the results provide actual estimates of fertilizer requirement for important crops of any area under study, thereby saving budget on fertilizer use at farmer’s level as well as at planner’s level.
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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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