Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth Research Articles

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A field experiment entitled, “Evaluation of rabi onion genotypes for storage characteristics (six month period)” was conducted during rabi season, 2017-18 at “Scheme for Research on Onion Storage”, Department of Horticulture, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri. Dist. Ahmednagar (Maharashtra) India. The experiment was carried out in Randomized Block Design with seventeen genotypes and one check variety i.e. N-2-4-1 treatments replicated three times. In storage studies results indicated that, the minimum storage losses (Sprouting losses (%), Rotting losses (%), PLW losses (%) & Total losses) were recorded by the genotypes T7, T11 and T10.The minimum sprouting losses (after 6 month storage) was recorded in genotype T11 (1.41 %). It was followed by genotype viz. T7 and T10 (1.51 %). The maximum sprouting losses (after 6 month storage) was recorded in genotype T17 (4.06 %). Rotting losses (after 6 month storage) ranged between T11 (3.19) to T4 (7.46) per cent. The minimum PLW loss was recorded in genotype T7 (14.98 %), followed by genotype viz. T11 (15.64 %), T10 (15.85 %) and T6 (17.16 %). The maximum PLW loss was recorded in genotype T17 (33.26 %). The minimum total losses (after 6-month storage) was recorded by genotype T11 (21.34 %). While the maximum total losses (after 6-month storage) was recorded in T4 (36.49 %). Considering the above results, it could be concluded that, among the seventeen genotypes T7 (RHROR–7), T10 (RHROR–10) and T11 (RHROR–11) found promising for further evaluation.

Estimation of variability, heritability and genetic advance in M3 generation of natural mutant of dolichos bean

An experiment entitled “Estimation of variability, heritability and genetic advance in M3 generation of natural mutant of dolichos bean” was carried out at All India Coordinated Research Project on Vegetable Crops, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri, Dist. Ahmednagar (MS), which was conducted during the year 2018-19 with an objective to assess the genetic variability in M3 generation. The estimates of phenotypic coefficient of variation were higher than that of genotypic coefficient of variation for all the characters under study in M3 generation. High GCV and PCV were observed for vine length, number of racemes per vine, fresh pod width, number of fresh pods per vine, fresh pod yield per vine, fresh pod yield per hectare, fresh seed yield per vine and dry seed yield per vine in M3 generation indicating the higher magnitude of variability and direct selection of these traits may be advantageous in developing desirable dolichos bean genotype. The high heritability along with high genetic advance as percent of mean are exhibited by vine length, days to 50 per cent flowering, number of racemes per vine, pod setting per cent, fresh pod length, fresh pod width, number of fresh pods per vine, fresh pod shelling per cent, fresh pod yield per vine, fresh pod yield per hectare, fresh 100 seed weight, fresh seed yield per vine, dry 100 seed weight and dry seed yield per vine in M3 generation. This indicates presence of additive gene action for the expression of these traits which is fixable for next generation and selection in next population based on this character would be ideal.

Influence of different irrigation scheduling through micro sprinkler on growth and yield of chickpea

A Field experiment entitled, “Influence of different irrigation scheduling through micro-sprinkler on growth and yield of chickpea” was conducted at the farm of All India Co-ordinated Research Project on Pulses Improvement Project, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri, Dist. Ahmednagar (M.S.) India during the Rabi season 2017-18. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with six irrigation treatments replicated four times. The treatments were consisting of applying irrigation through micro sprinkler at 0.3, 0.45, 0.6, 0.75 and 0.9 IW/CPE ratio, irrigation at 25 CPE and applying surface irrigation at 50 CPE. The growth in terms of plant height, plant spread, number of branches per plant and dry matter accumulation were observed to be significantly more in treatment of irrigation at 0.9 IW/CPE ratio. However surface irrigation at 50 mm CPE and 0.75 IW/CPE ratio with micro-sprinkler were at par with 0.9 IW/CPE ratio. Similarly, the yield contributing characters viz., weight of pods per plant, weight of seeds per plant, test weight were significantly higher in 0.9 IW/CPE ratio irrigation as compared to other treatments. The grain yield increased with increase in irrigation depth with IW/CPE ratio. The irrigation applied at 0.9 IW/CPE ratio produced significantly superior grain yield (23.35 q ha-1) over other irrigation treatments but the difference with surface irrigation at 50 mm CPE (22.80 q ha-1) and irrigation at 0.75 IW/CPE ratio (21.51 q ha-1) grain yield was not significant. The irrigation through micro sprinkler at 0.75 IW/CPE ratio can be advisable for chickpea cultivation in semi-arid area. The grain yield at lower 0.3 IW/CPE ratio (16.13 q ha-1) was lowest among all the treatments due to insufficient soil moisture and its distribution in root zone under inadequate depth (7.5 mm). The total irrigation water used in 0.75 IW/CPE ratio was (253 mm). The water use efficiency decreased with increase in IW/CPE ratio. The net monetary returns and B:C ratio was highest in surface irrigation. Based on the above findings, it could be concluded that growing of chickpea with irrigation scheduling at surface irrigation was beneficial for achieving higher productivity and B:C ratio. Nevertheless, under water scarcity condition micro sprinkler at 0.75 IW/CPE ratio better in practice.

Generation mean analysis for important morpho-physiological traits in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

The present investigation consisted of six genetic populations i.e. P1, P2, F1, F2, BC1 and BC2 of six crosses which were evaluated during the rabi, 2015-16 season. The six populations (parents, F1, backcrosses and F2) of the two wheat crosses, (NIAW-34 X NIAW-343 and NIAW-917 X NIAW-2030) were grown under restricted irrigation at Post Graduate Institute Farm, Department of Botany, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri (MS). Mean performance of Parents, f1’s, f2’s, BC1 and BC2 for different morphological and physiological traits in wheat recorded significant differences among both the crosses. Analysis of variance showed significant variability for all the traits in both crosses. All the three individual scaling tests for viz., A, B and C were significant for four traits viz., Number of tillers per plant, Number of grains per spike, grain yield per plant and Chlorophyll stability index (CSI) in both the crosses indicating the inadequacy of additive-dominance model to explain inheritance. Additive as well as Dominant genetic effects were highly significant in both the crosses, for the Days for 50% flowering, Days to maturity, Number of tillers per plant, Number of grains per spike, grain yield per plant, Chlorophyll stability index (CSI) and Membrane injury index. The epistatic gene interactions (i, j and l) for Chlorophyll stability index (CSI) was highly significant. Additive x additive, additive x dominance and dominance x dominance was observed in both the crosses. Duplicate type of epistasis was observed in both the crosses for days to maturity, plant height, grain yield per plant, chlorophyll stability index (CSI) and membrane injury index.

Litter dynamics of mango trees grown in different shrink-swell soil series of Maharashtra

An experiment was conducted at central campus of Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri to study the dynamics of monthly litter fall biomass and its chemical composition and nutrient return to soil were study under of mango trees under different soil series of Maharashtra. The result showed that higher quantity of liter biomass was produced in mango plantation under medium deep soil (Sawargaon soil series) over different soil series. Among mango plantation under different soil series, highest content of nutrients i.e. NPK and carbon was recorded in Sawargaon soil series as compare to other soil series. Maximum amount of nutrient return to soil through soil was recorded in mango plantation under medium deep soil over shallow and deep soil. On another hand carbon and nitrogen are most important of many element required for microbial decomposition of organic matter. The result revealed that numerically optimum C:N ratio (31.68) was recorded in litter leaf fall of mango plant under Sawargaon soil series as compare to other series.

Studies on Diversity of Spider Fauna in Ahmednagar District, Maharashtra State, India

The order Aranae of class Arachnida has a special value in the studies of ecology as it serves as a biological indicator. The main objective of the present study was to findout the diversity and characteristics of spiders from Ahmednagar district. The study on diversity of spider was conducted from various collection sites such as Kopargaon, Madhi Bk, Kumbhari (Godavari River area), Faria bag, Pimpalgaon Malvi, Dongargan, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri and Kolhar. The 108-specimen spiders were collected from various sites. The spider specimen collected were photographed, observed, identified and classified with the help of Zoological Survey of India, Pune. Out of 60 specimens identified, belong to 09 families and 18 genera.

Study on effect of soil and foliar application of silicon on growth, yield and quality on kharif onion (allium cepa l.)

The field experiment entitled “Effect of soil and foliar application of silicon on soil nutrient availability, uptake, yield and quality of kharif onion” was conducted during Kharif 2016 – 2017 at Post Graduate Institute research farm, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri with a view to study the effect of levels of silicon on growth, yield, and quality of kharif onion.The investigation was carried out in Randomized Block Design (RBD), fourteen treatments combinations comprised of soil application of three levels of calcium silicate (50, 100 and 150 kg Si ha-1) and three concentration of silicic acid (SA) 1, 2, and 3 ppm through foliar spray. Two treatments absolute control and GRDF were taken for comparison having 0 kg Si ha-1. The neck thickness, equatorial diameter, polar diameter and, total yield of bulbs and straw yield of onion were recorded. The chemical properties viz. pH, EC and OC showed significantly influenced due to application of silicon. In case of treatment T14 recorded significantly superior pH, EC and OC (8.35, 0.54 and 0.60 % respectively). The treatment T14 recorded significantly highest polar diameter (5.55cm), equatorial diameter (5.94cm), neck thickness ( 0.88 cm) highest weight per bulb (83.50 g), bulb yield (37.50 t ha-1) and straw yield (2.40 q ha-1) respectively. It is concluded that treatment (T14) was found beneficial for maintaining soil fertility, for enhance crop growth and for increase yield and yield contributing character of onion on shallow soil.

Morphological and cultural studies of Alternaria alternata causing leaf spot and fruit rot of chilli

Leaf spot and fruit rot of chilli caused by Alternaria alternata (Fr.) Keissler is one of the most destructive disease of chilli (Capsicum annuum L.). Study was undertaken to conduct collection of samples, isolation, identification, pathogenicity, morphological and cultural characters of pathogen on different culture media in vitro. The isolations were made from the symptomatic samples collected from chilli plot from All India Coordinated Research Project on Vegetable Crops, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri. The isolation of fungal pathogen was done from affected samples of chilli leaf. Further purified and maintained on PDA media. Pathogenicity of test fungal pathogen was proved on healthy chilli plant in earthen pots under glasshouse conditions. The pathogen was identified as Alternaria alternata on the basis of morphological and cultural characteristics. The pathogen showed typical symptoms of leaf spot on chili in glasshouse. Alternaria alternata showed spots with concentric rings on leaves. Alternaria causes small reddish purple spots most characteristic symptom was brown to dark spots on older leaves. The circular spots enlarge and soon develop dark, concentric rings or ridges gaved target-like appearance. Lesion growth stopped by major leaf veins. Spotted leaves soon turn yellow, wither and died. In cultural studies, it was observed that the fungal test pathogen Alternaria alternata showed maximum radial growth and excellent sporulation on PDA media.

Performance study of fl hybrids of tomato (Solonum lycopersicum L.)

An investigation was conducted during rabi season 2017-2018 at Tomato Improvement Scheme, Department of Horticulture, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri. The experiment consisted of eight hybrids and two hybrid checks (Abhinav and Phule Raja) were planted in Randomized Block Design in three replications to evaluate the superior hybrid of tomato for yield and quality purpose with disease tolerance. There were significant differences among the hybrids studied for days to 50 per cent flowering. 2 X 7 (32.00 days) was earliest hybrid followed by 3 X 4 (33.00 days) and 3 X 5 (34.00 days).Yield per plant differed significantly among hybrids which may attributed to significantly higher number of fruits per plant and average fruit weight. The highest fruit yield per plant was recorded in hybrid 3 X 5 (2.27 kg plant-I) followed by 7 X 8 (2.20 kg plant-5. The fruit firmness was highest for 3 X 5 (2.27 N/mm2) followed by 7 X 8 (2.16 N/mm2). The hybrid 3 X 5 recorded less incidence of Tomato leaf curl virus (5.83%) and Spotted wilt virus (0.83%). While the hybrid 7 X 8 and 6 X 7 also showed less incidence against viral diseases. Considering the yield/plant; firmness of fruits and incidence of viral diseases the hybrids 3 X 5 and 7 X 8 can be exploited commercially.

Path analysis studies of Dolichos bean (Lablab purpureus L.) genotypes

An investigation entitled “Path analysis studies of Dolichos bean (Lablab purpureus L.) genotypes” was carried out during 2017-18 for 9 different sowing dates at All India Coordinated Research Project on Vegetable Crops, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri, Maharashtra. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design (R.B.D.) with ten pole type genotypes and three replication. The study revealed that number of pods per vine exhibited high positive direct effect on pod yield per hectare followed by average weight of 10 pods, pod setting percent, length of inflorescence, vine length. The association between pod yield and these characters was significant. The direct negative effects on pod yield observed by pod length, number of pods per inflorescence, number of grains per pod, pod width, days to first flowering, days to 50% flowering and days to first picking.

Acid lime (Citrus aurantifolia) production as influenced by different fertigation levels with irrigation schedules

The sustainable production of acid lime is possible with combined use of irrigation water with fertilizer through micro-irrigation. The integrated use of drip irrigation with fertigation on yield, quality and economy of 14 year-old acid lime (Citrus aurantifolia Swingle) cv. Sai-Sharbati was studied during 2011–16 at Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, AICRP on Fruits, Rahuri (M.S.). The study was undertaken on the black soil with the base recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) as 600:200:600 (N:P2O5:K2O). The experiment was in Factorial Randomised Block Design with nine treatments, comprising three irrigation schedules, viz.70% evaporation replenishment (ER) (I1), 80% ER (I2), and 90% of ER (I3), and three fertigation levels, viz. fertigation with 60 % RDF (recommended dose of fertilizers) (F1), 70% RDF (F2) and 80% RDF (F3) based NPK doses replicated six times. The highest canopy and fruit yield of acid lime was observed with the irrigation schedule at 90% ER with 80% RDF fertigation followed by 70% RDF fertigation. The highest yield efficiency (5.05 kg/m3) was also with irrigation schedule at 80% and 60% RDF fertigation. However the highest partial factor productivity of nutrients (66.12 kg fruit/kg NPK) and higher B/C ratio (1.95) was obtained with irrigation at 90% ER and with 60% RDF fertigation and by 90% ER with 80% RDF respectively. The quality production of acid lime fruits was obtained with irrigation schedule at 90% ER with 80% RDF fertigation.

Effect of different irrigation regimes and fertigation levels on water requirement of turmeric

The agronomic investigation entitled, “Effect of irrigation regimes and fertigation levels on yield, quality and soil properties of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) was undertaken during 2012-13 and 2013-14 on clay loam soil at Irrigation Water Management Project, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri. The irrigation regimes drip irrigation at 0.5 ETc was recorded maximum water use efficiency as well as higher water saving followed by irrigation regimes drip irrigation at 0.7 ET than rest of treatments.

Elite Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) Hybrids for Postrainy Season Adaptation

Improving sorghum cultivars for postrainy season adaptation is crucial toensure food security in dry regions of India. Postrainy season sorghum isprimarily used as a food owing to its good grain quality and also the mainsource of fodder quality especially during dry seasons. Hence, the presentinvestigation was carried out with ten elite sorghum hybrids along withthree controls (M 35- 1, Parbhani Moti and CSH 15R) at three locations viz.,International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT),Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth (MPKV) and Marathwada AgriculturalUniversity (MAU) during the postrainy season, to identify the best performingsorghum hybrids for postrainy season adaptation. The best performinghybrids for grain yield across three locations were ICSA 502 × SPV 422 (2.4t ha-1), 8712 (2.1 t ha-1), ICSA 38 × SPV 422 (2.1 t ha-1), ICSA 84 × SPV 1411(2.1 t ha-1) and XSR401 (2.1 t ha-1)compared to the control CSH 15R (1.8 tha-1), Parbhani Moti (1.5 t ha-1) and M 35-1 (1.5 t ha-1). The selected hybridswere 3 to 4 days earlier than M 35-1 and at par with CSH 15R. Substantialvariability observed for 100 seed size (2.4 to3.5g) and grain luster (score1 to 2) among the hybrids. The tested hybrids had shootfly dead heartspercentage ranging from 53 to 75. Based on the number of nodes infected,infection length and percent soft rot, two hybrids (ICSA 675 x SPV 1411 andICSA 675 x ICSV 700) appeared tolerant to charcoal rot with <1 internodeinfection, length of infection <5 cm and <10% soft rot.

Relative susceptibility of chickpea varieties against pulse beetle in storage

The present investigation was carried out in the laboratory of Department of Agricultural Entomology, Post Graduate Institute, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri during 2018. Among 8 Chickpea varieties, Minimum (44.3% and 23.00%) pulse beetle grain infestation (number basis and weight basis, respectively) was recorded in a variety Vikrant while the maximum (75.5% and 39.8%) pulse beetle grain infestation (Number basis and weight basis) was recorded in a variety Kripa. Minimum (30.6 %) grain weight loss was recorded in a variety Vikrant and maximum (52.9%) grain weight loss was recorded in a variety Kripa. In Free choice test, the lowest (6.33) average number of adult pulse beetles oriented towards variety Vikrant, while the highest (11.00) adult pulse beetles oriented towards kabuli variety Kripa. In “No choice test” minimum (78.60%) adult emergence was observed in variety Vikrant while the highest (90.39%) adult emergence of pulse beetle was observed in a susceptible variety Kripa. Minimum (27.66 days) development period was observed in variety Vijay while the maximum (29.66 days) development period of pulse beetle was observed in variety Virat. The minimum (2.18) growth index was observed in variety Vikrant and the maximum (2.48) growth index was observed in a variety Kripa.

Productivity, nutrient uptake and quality of sweet corn and potato in relation to integrated nutrient management practice

Field experiment entitled “Effect of integrated nutrient management in sweet corn-potato cropping sequence" was conducted during kharif and rabi season of 2014 to 2015 at Instructional Research Farm, Central Campus, Post Graduate Institute, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri.

Effect of integrated nutrient management on sweet corn&#8211;potato cropping system: Productivity, economic yield and soil nutrient balance

The study was conducted to estimate the productivity, economic yield and soil nutrient balance of integrated nutrient management in sweet corn-potato cropping sequence was conducted during kharif and rabi season of 2014-15 to 2015-16 at Instructional Research Farm, Central Campus, Post Graduate Institute, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri. The performance of sweet corn–potato cropping sequence was assessed in terms of residual fertility status at the end of two years crop sequence. The treatment T1-100% GRDF to preceding crop sweet corn during kharif season registered maximum net gain of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (+49.19, +6.54 and +80.74 kg ha-1) at the end of two years experimentation.

Effect of Genetic and Non-genetic Factors on First Lactation Production Traits in Crossbreds of Gir with Holstein Frieson and Jersey Cattle Breeds

The data on production traits of FG (50% Holstein Frieson (HF) + 50% Gir), IFG (interse of FG), FJG (50% HF + 25% Jersey + 25% Gir), IFJG (interse of FJG) and R (50% HF + 12.50% Jersey + 37.50% Gir) crosses maintained at Research Cum Development Project on cattle, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri, were collected for the years 1972 to 2015. The data were analysed for estimation of means of production traits, viz. lactation length (LL), lactation milk yield per day of lactation length (LMY/LL) and lactation milk yield per day of calving interval (LMY/CI), by considering effects of period/season of calving by adopting least-square technique. The overall mean first lactation length (days) was 327.22 ± 4.15 in FG, 352.21 ± 5.14 in IFG, 331.71 ± 3.97 in FJG, 358.33 ± 3.81 in IFJG and 343.37 ± 7.52 in R genetic group. The overall mean LMY/LL and LMY/CI (kg) of first lactation was 10.47 ± 0.17 and 8.45 ± 0.16 in FG, 8.03 ± 0.12 and 6.42 ± 0.13 in IFG, 8.79 ± 0.24 and 6.99 ± 0.26 in FJG, 8.14 ± 0.10 and 6.45 ± 0.11 in IFJG and 8.38 ± 0.20 and 6.63 ± 0.22 in R genetic group, respectively. The period of calving had significant (P < 0.05) effect on lactation length, LMY/LL and LMY/CI in IFG and IFJG groups in first lactation. The variation due to season of calving on lactation length, LMY/LL and LMY/CI was significantly higher in IFJG in first lactation as compared to other groups. The genetic group had significant effect on LL, LMY/LL and LMY/CI traits.

Effect of Photo-Thermo Period on Seed Setting Percentage (In Selfed Earheads) of the Parental and Hybrid Lines of Rabi Sorghum

The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three replications during rabi 2013-14 at All India Co-Ordinated Sorghum Improvement Project, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri, Dist. Ahmednagar (M.S.). Total seven sowing dates (E1-15th August, E2-15 September, E3-15 October, E4-15 November, E5-15 December, E6- 15 January and E7- 15 February) were assigned to the main plot and 16 parental and hybrid lines having four male sterile lines (viz., 104A, 185A, RMS 2010-24A and RMS2010-10A), four maintainer lines (viz., 104B, 185B, RMS2010-24B and RMS2010-10B), four restorer (viz., SPV1830, RSV1130, RSV1098 and BJV116) and their four respective hybrids (viz., 104A x SPV1830, 185A x RSV1130, RMS2010-24A x RSV1098 and RMS2010-10A x BJV116) were assigned to the sub plot treatment. The observations on growth, phenology, physiology and dry matter production were recorded during crop growth period, also, the data on seed set, grain yield and yield contributing characters were recorded at harvest stage. The seed setting percentage in selfed condition was recorded to be higher in September sowing environment followed by October sowing while, in case of the parental lines restorer lines SPV1830, RSV1130, RSV1098 and hybrid RMS2010-24A X RSV1098 recoded the higher seed setting percentage in all the environments and among all the genotypes, indicating their thermo-insensitivity for all the seasons which were considered to be promising genotypes for further breeding programme for yield improvement.

Yield of Soybean, Nutrient Uptake and Nutrient Availability in an Inceptisol as Influenced by Irrigation at Critical Growth Stages

A field study was conducted at Irrigation Water Management Farm, Post Graduate Institute, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri, Maharashtra, India during kharif season of 2015-16. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with eight treatments and three replications. The treatments consisted of application of irrigation to soybean at different critical growth stages, viz., No irrigation (T1), one irrigation at branching, flowering and at pod filling stage, respectively (T2 to T4) and two irrigations at branching and flowering stage (T5), two irrigations at branching and pod filling stage (T6), two irrigations at flowering and pod filling stage (T7) and three irrigations at branching, flowering and pod filling (T8). Significantly higher grain and straw yield was obtained where three irrigations were given at branching, flowering and pod filling stage (30.43 q ha-1 and 55.92 q ha-1, respectively) followed by two irrigations at flowering and pod filling stage (28.89 q ha-1 and 54.12 q ha-1, respectively). The growth and yield contributing characters were improved with irrigations at critical growth stages of soybean. The highest nutrient availability of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in soil was 181.9 kg ha-1, 17.1 kg ha-1 and 434.5 kg ha-1, respectively was observed in no irrigation treatment at harvest. The highest nutrient uptake was observed in treatment of three irrigations at branching, flowering and pod filling stage was 200.26 kg ha-1, 41.54 kg ha-1 and 84.02 kg ha-1 N, P and K respectively.

Effect of Different Levels of Phosphorus and Zeolite on Yield, Nutrient Uptake and Phosphorus Use Efficiency of Rabi Onion Grown on an Inceptisols

A field experiment was conducted at Post Graduate Institute Instructional Farm of Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri, during rabi 2017-2018 to study the effect of different levels of phosphorus and zeolite on yield and its use efficiency and availability of nutrients. There were eight treatments replicated thrice in RBD. The significantly highest bulb with 150% of the recommended dose of P2O5 175 kg along with 120 kg ha-1 of zeolite application followed by the zeolite @ 120 kg ha¬¬¬¬¬¬-1 + 125% P2O5of RDF. However, the highest phosphorus use efficiency was observed in the treatment with 75% P2O5 of RDF and recommended dose of nitrogen and potassium fertilizers along with 120 kg ha-1zeolite and 20 t ha-1 farm yard manure. The available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium were significantly higher in treatment with zeolite @ 120 kg ha-1 + 150% P2O5 of RDF. Thus recommended dose of phosphatic fertilizer can be reduced by 25% when used along with 120 kg ha-1zeolite and recommended dose of nitrogen and potassium fertilizers for obtaining optimum yield of onion.