Red Sandy Loam Research Articles

Investigating Different Planting Geometry and Nutrient Management to Enhance Teff Productivity in Eastern Dry Zone of Karnataka, India

A field experiment was conducted at Zonal Agricultural Research Station (ZARS), Gandhi Krishi Vignana Kendra, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka on red sandy loam soil to study the “Investigating different planting geometry and nutrient management to enhance teff productivity”. The experiment was laid out in Factorial Randomized Complete Block Design, consisting two factors viz., Factor 1: Two planting geometry (S1: 30 cm × 10 cm and S2: 45 cm × 10 cm) and Factor 2: Five Nutrient management (N1: 50 % RDF, N2: 75 % RDF, N3: 100 % RDF, N4: 125 % RDF and N5: Absolute control (6 t FYM ha-1 commonly applied to all except control treatments) and replicated thrice. The uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium was higher under 30 cm × 10 cm spacing (5.74, 1.04 and 3.29 kg ha-1, respectively) and among nutrient levels, application of 125 per cent RDF resulted in statistically higher uptake nitrogen (7.35 kg ha-1), phosphorous (1.33 kg ha-1) and potassium (4.28 kg ha-1). Significantly higher (12.58 %) grain protein content was obtained with application of 125% RDF. Maintaining 30 cm × 10 cm spacing recorded significantly higher grain (2.37 q ha-1) and straw yield (3.65 q ha-1). Application of 125 % RDF resulted in significantly higher straw yield, however significantly higher grain yield (2.73 q ha-1) was obtained under 100% RDF. Application of 100% RDF along with narrow spacing yielding substantially higher gross returns (₹90,776 ha-1), net returns (₹60,021 ha-1), and a commendable B:C ratio of 2.77.

Studies on Nutrient uptake, Nutrient use Efficiency and Water Productivity of Drip Irrigated Ratoon Sugarcane as Influenced by Water Soluble Fertilizers

A field experiment was conducted at Zonal Agricultural Research Station, V.C. Farm, Mandya during 2020-21 to study the Nutrient content and Uptake of Drip irrigated Ratoon Sugarcane as influenced by water soluble fertilizers. The experimental site was red sandy loam soil with neutral pH, normal electrical conductivity, medium organic carbon, low available nitrogen, medium phosphorus and potassium content. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications comprising seven treatments with VCF-0517 sugarcane variety. The results revealed that application of 150 per cent RDF through WSF (325.9 kg ha-1 N, 46.5 kg ha-1 P2O5, 338.4 K2O kg ha-1) recorded significantly higher nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium uptake compared to 100 per cent RDF through WSF (287.3 kg ha-1 N, 37.5 kg ha-1 P2O5, 282.6 kg ha-1 K2O) and 75 per cent RDF through WSF (269.9 kg ha-1 N, 33.4 kg ha-1 P2O5, 253.6 kg ha-1 K2O). Application of WSF at 75 per cent RDF resulted in greater NUE in case of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (348.3 kg kg-1, 870.7 kg kg-1 and 696.5 kg kg-1 respectively) when compared with other fertigation levels and conventional fertilizer application.

Termite Diversity and its Extent of Crop Damage in Vayalogam Soil Series of Tamil Nadu, India

A survey was conducted to study the distribution of termites in Vayalogam soil series, red sandy loam soil in Tamil Nadu, India. Among the termites collected from eleven places in Pudukottai district, Tamil Nadu all under one genera and three species, the predominant species was Odontotermus wallonensis (Wasmann) which was noticed in seven locations followed by O. assmuthi in three locations and O.obesus in one location. Further, an abundance of O. wallonensis was high (64.64%) followed by O. assmuthi (27.27%.) and O. obesus (9.90%.). The termite, O. wallonensis was recorded more in moundscompared to O. assmuthi and O. obesus, whereas in tree wood logs, three termite species were found. Among the avenue trees, pungam recorded less damage (7.25%) followed by jack trees (10.25%), Polyalthia (15.50%), tamarind (23.50%) and neem and eucalyptus (32.55 and 37.50%). In field crops termite damage was less in maize (5.75%), groundnut (10.25 %), and sugarcane (10.25%). The highest damage was recorded in jack fruit at seedling stage (46.50%) cultivated in Vayalogam soil series. The termite attack was not observed in field crops viz., pulses, castor, brinjal and chilli. termite species

Nutrient Uptake and Economics of Field Bean as Influenced by Farmyard Manure and Bio-Digester Liquid Manure

Field experiments were conducted from 2010 to 2012 at Zonal Agricultural Research Station, Mandya to study the nutrient uptake and economics of field bean as influenced by farmyard manure and bio-digester liquid manure. Soil was red sandy loam in texture, low in organic carbon (0.38%) and available nitrogen (215.5 kg ha-1), medium in available P2O5 (26.2 kg ha-1) and K2O (162.3 kg ha-1). The experiment was laid out using Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications and treatment consisted of three levels of FYM (5.0, 7.5 and 10 t ha-1) and four levels of bio-digester liquid manure equivalent (BDLME) to 20, 25, 30 and 35 kg N ha-1 and compared with recommended practice (FYM 7.5 t + 25:50:25 kg N:P2O5:K2O ha-1) and control. Significantly higher total nitrogen, P2O5 and K2O (92.3, 15.45 and 83.8 kg ha-1, respectively) were taken up by the crop when applied with FYM 10 t + BDLME to 35 kg N ha-1 which was on par with FYM 10 t + BDLME to 30 kg N ha-1 (91.0, 15.22 and 82.6 N, P2O5 and K2O kg ha-1, respectively) and recommended practice (96.0, 15.96 and 86.1). Higher net returns and B:C ratio (Rs 12,625 ha-1 and 1.78 respectively) were obtained with FYM 10 t + BDLME to 35 kg N ha-1 followed by FYM 10 t + BDLME to 30 kg N ha-1 (Rs 12,397 ha-1 and 1.80, respectively).

Performance of Teff under Different Planting Methods and Nutrient Management Practices

An experiment entitled “Performance of teff under different planting methods and nutrient management practices” was carried out on red sandy loam soil at ICAR-KVK, Haveri, Karnataka. The experimental design adopted was RCBD with Factorial concept, with a combination of two methods of planting and five nutrient levels replicated three times. Between the planting methods, transplanting teff seedlings obtained statistically higher grain and straw yields (240 and 407 kg ha-1, respectively), gross and net return (Rs 84999 and Rs 53106 ha-1, respectively). Among varied nutrient management practices, increased fertiliser levels increased grain yield (269 kg ha-1), gross and net return (Rs 95220 and Rs 63136 ha-1, respectively), and B:C ratio (2.96) under supply of 20:10:10 kg NPK ha-1, whereas further increment in fertilizer levels resulted in decreased grain yield due to increased crop lodging.

Enhancing Rabi Brinjal Productivity and Profitability Through Drip Irrigation and Fertigation

A field experiment was conducted in red sandy loam soils at College Farm, Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University (PJTSAU), Telangana, India during the rabi seasons of 2018–19 and 2019–20. The objective of the experiment was to investigate the impact of drip irrigation regimes and fertigation levels on the yield and economic aspects of brinjal during rabi season. The treatments comprised of three levels of irrigation (I1: 0.8 Epan, I2: 1.0 Epan and I3: 1.2 Epan) as main plots and four fertigation levels [F60: 60%; F80: 80%; F100: 100% and F120: 120% of the recommended dose of N and K (150 kg N and 90 kg K2O ha-1)] as subplots, with each treatment replicated thrice. The results indicated that scheduling drip irrigation at 1.0 Epan and fertigation with 100% RDNK resulted in highest fresh fruit yield (41.6 t ha-1), water productivity (0.50 t m-3), net returns (Rs. 1,88,017 ha-1) and benefit: cost (B:C) ratio (2.3) over rest of the treatments. However, this treatment demonstrated comparable yields with that of 120% RDNK applied under the same irrigation regime (1.0 Epan) (41.9 t ha-1), as well as to treatments involving drip irrigation scheduled at 1.2 Epan with fertigation at either 100% (41.8 t ha-1) or 120% (41.9 t ha-1) RDNK. The yield improvement and water saving due to scheduling of drip irrigation at 1.0 Epan in combination with fertigation at 100% RDNK, was to the tune of 28% and 22%, respectively over I0.8F60 (0.8 Epan+60% RDNK) treatment.

Effect of Drip Fertigation on Growth, Yield and Quality of Ratoon Sugarcane

A field experiment was conducted at Zonal Agricultural Research Station, V.C. Farm, Mandya, Karnataka, India during Kharif 2020-21. The effect of water-soluble fertilizers on performance of ratoon sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) as influenced by fertigation through surface drip irrigation was studied. The soil at the experimental site was red sandy loam with neutral pH (6.7), normal electrical conductivity (0.21dS m-1), medium organic carbon (5.2 g kg-1), low available nitrogen (275 kg ha-1), medium phosphorus (35 kg ha-1) and potassium content (280 kg ha-1). The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications comprising seven treatments using VCF-0517 sugarcane mild late (12-14 months) maturing variety. The application of WSF at 125 per cent RDF (312.5:125:156:N:P2O5:K2O) through drip fertigation showed significantly superior growth and yield attributes viz., plant height (357.0 cm), no. of tillers clump-1 (15.0), internode length (16.67 cm), cane dry weight (54.8 t ha-1), millable canes (8.17 clump-1), cane length (341.67 cm), cane girth (3.30 cm), single cane weight (2.40 kg), number of internodes cane-1 (21.40) and cane yield (182.67 t ha-1). Also, superior juice qualities such as juice extraction percentage (70) and sugar yield (20.88 t ha-1) were recorded. The results clearly indicated application of water-soluble fertilizers at 125 per cent RDF through surface drip fertigation resulted in higher growth and yield of sugarcane due to enhanced water and nutrient use efficiency.

Weed management with different herbicid combinations in winter groundnut under red sandy loam soils of Odisha, India

Weed management with different herbicid combinations in winter groundnut under red sandy loam soils of Odisha, India

Soil and Plant Nutrient Dynamics in Castor-based Cropping Systems as Influenced by Conservation Agricultural Practices

A field experiment was conducted during kharif 2021, at Narkhoda farm, ICAR-Indian Institute of Oilseeds Research, to study the effect of conservation agricultural practices on soil and plant nutrient dynamics. The experiment was laid out in split-plot design with 3 replications on red sandy loam soil (Alfisols) under rainfed conditions. The treatments comprised of three tillage treatments in main plots viz., conventional tillage, reduced tillage, zero tillage and four cropping systems with residue incorporation in subplots viz., sole castor, castor + redgram (1:1), castor + greengram (1:3) and castor + groundnut (1:3). The results indicated that at harvest, highest soil organic carbon (SOC) content was found in reduced tillage (0.64%) followed by zero tillage (0.63%) and the lowest in conventional tillage (0.56%). Among inter cropping systems, SOC was recorded highest (0.67%) in castor + redgram (1:1) and lowest (0.55%) in sole castor treatment. The status of post-harvest soil available N, P, K (kg/ha) was recorded highest in reduced tillage (208.6, 54.03, 515.9 kg N, P, K /ha respectively) and lowest in conventional tillage (196.7, 38.57, 486.8 kg N, P, K /ha) while, zero tillage (203.6, 47.15, 506.7 kg N, P, K /ha) was at par with the reduced tillage. Among the cropping systems, castor + redgram (208.1, 60.12, 517.9 kg N, P, K /ha) recorded highest available N, P, K while lowest in sole castor (201.6, 38.60, 494.0 kg N, P, K /ha) treatment. Total N, P, K uptake (kg/ha) by castor crop at harvest was highest in conventional tillage (56.13, 19.99, 31.97 kg N, P, K /ha respectively) followed by reduced (49.24, 16.81, 26.28 kg N, P, K /ha) and the lowest (38.36, 13.15, 21.99 kg N, P, K /ha) was recorded in zero tillage. Among intercropping cropping systems N, P, K uptake by castor crop was recorded highest in sole castor (60.22, 18.66, 32.35 kg N, P, K /ha) treatment while lowest was recorded in castor + redgram (1:1) (26.65, 10.28, 15.93 kg N, P, K /ha). In general, the interaction effect between tillage and intercropping system were found non-significant.

Soil Test based Targeted yield equations for blackgram (Vigna mungo L.) through Integrated Plant Nutrition System on Alfisol

Using Ramamoorthy's inductive methodology for assessing the soil test based crop requirement by adopting an Integrated Plant Nutrition System to create Fertilizer Prescription Equations (FPEs) for blackgram with the prime objective of attaining the targeted yield by the farmers. A field experiment was conducted out on red non-calcareous sandy loam soil belonging to the Palaviduthi soil series (Typic Rhodustalf) during rabi 2021-22. The experiment comprised of eleven treatments viz., STCR - NPK alone and STCR - IPNS for yield targets 1.0,1.2,and 1.4 t ha-1, Blanket (25:50:25) @ 100% with and without FYM (12.5 t ha-1), FYM alone @ 6.25 and 12.5 t ha-1 and absolute control in randomized block design with three replications. From the experimental data, basic parameters viz., nutrient requirement (NR), per cent contribution from soil (Cs), per cent contribution from fertilizers (Cf), and per cent contribution from FYM (Cfym) were computed. The quantity of fertilizers contributed by the application of Farmyard manure was assessed. It has been found that the nutrient requirement for producing one quintal grain of blackgram was 4.77 kg of N, 4.50 kg of P2O5, and 5.05 kg of K2O. The per cent contribution from soil (Cs) was 15.61, 29.91, and 8.12 for N, P, and K respectively and the percent contribution from fertilizers (Cf) and FYM (Cfym) was 48.61 and 37.19 for N, 44.78, and 14.63 for P2O5 and 55.72 and 31.71 for K2O. FPEs for blackgram were generated using these basic parameters through a Soil Test Crop Response based Integrated Plant Nutrition System (STCR-IPNS). Fertilizer Prescription Equations (FPEs) created in this mode were used to create nomograms for a range of soil test values and yield targets. Thus the Inductive cum Targeted Yield Model used to develop fertilizer prescription equations provides a strong basis for soil nutrient maintenance consistent with high productivity and efficient nutrient management in farming for sustainable and enduring agriculture.

Assessment of Physico-chemical Properties on Soil of Vizianagaram District, Andhra Pradesh, India

The study was conducted at Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture Technology and Sciences’ Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry Lab. A total of 27 samples were collected from 3 blocks (Pusapatirega, Denkada and Bhogapuram), 9 villages, and analysed for physico-chemical properties using standard laboratory at varying depths (0-15, 15-30, and 30-45 cm). The soil colour ranged from yellowish red to yellowish brown (dry) and reddish brown to yellowish-brown (wet). It had a red sandy loam texture. Bulk density 1.402 (Mg m-3), Particle density 2.603(Mg m-3), Pore space 43.44(%), Water Holding Capacity 40.23(%), Specific gravity 2.42, pH 7.63 neutral, Electrical Conductivity 0.25 (dS m-1) non- saline, and Soil Organic Carbon 0.37(%). Available Nitrogen 269.88(kg ha-1) is low, Available Phosphorous and Available Potassium 17.34 and 191.09 (kg ha-1) are medium. Exchangeable Calcium 4.63 (cmol kg-1) and Exchangeable Magnesium 1.91 (cmol kg-1) medium to high. Farmers need to maintain a soil health card, adopt proper management techniques, and provide adequate nutrients to the soil in order to overcome pollution.

Agronomic fortification in finger millet (Eleusine coracana) for yield and quality improvement in red sandy loam soils

A field experiment was conducted during kharif 2015–18 to study the yield responses of finger millet [Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn.] to graded doses of macronutrient fertilizers (100% and 150% RDF) in combination with soil and foliar application of Zn and Fe, which are important for early establishment of finger millet. The experimental results indicated that significantly higher grain and straw yields of finger millet were recorded with 150% RDF+ZnSO4 0.5% foliar spray+FeSO4 0.2% foliar spray compared to 100% RDF. Soil available N, P2O5, K2O and plant macronutrient uptake were also found highest in the same treatment. Whereas the highest available Zn in the soil was recorded in the treatment 150% RDF+ZnSO4 soil application+FeSO4 0.2% foliar spray, and the highest available Fe was evidenced in the treatment 150% RDF+FeSO4 0.2% foliar spray. The grain zinc content was found highest with the treatment 150% RDF+ZnSO4 0.5% foliar spray, iron content in the grain was found highest with the treatment 150% RDF+ZnSO4 0.5 % foliar spray + FeSO4 0.2% foliar spray. The uptake of Zn and Fe were found highest with the treatment 150% RDF+ZnSO4 0.5 % foliar spray+FeSO4 0.2 % foliar spray. Hence, the treatment with 150% RDF+ZnSO4 0.5% foliar spray + FeSO4 0.2% foliar spray was considered to be the best treatment which was at par with 150% RDF+ZnSO4 @50 kg/ha soil application+FeSO4 0.2% foliar spray.

Influence of Fermented Liquid Manure (Jeevamrutha) on Growth Parameters and Yield Attributes of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) crop

Chemical fertilizers and pesticides are used intensively in modern agriculture giving rise to insects which have become resistant to pesticides. It has also resulted in the revival of pests and declining number of beneficial organisms such as honey bees, pollinators, parasites, and predators and accumulation of residues of pesticides in food and fodder. To improve soil microflora, a farm-made bio-culture called ‘Jeevamrutha’ is added to the soil instead of fertilizers. Jeevamrutha is made from a small amount of indigenous cow dung and urine. In red sandy loam soil, an experiment was conducted to see how varying concentrations of jeevamrutha affected the growth parameters and yield attributes of tomato. In a factorial randomized complete block design, five treatments with different combinations were laid out with three replications. The experimental results revealed that applying jeevamrutha at a 50% concentration influenced growth parameters of the crops including height of plants, total number of leaves, leaf area index, root length, and shoot length significantly. The use of jeevamrutha at 100% was significant in increasing tomato fruit yield due to improvements in yield attributes such as total number of fruits per plant, weight, length, and diameter of fruits.

Influence of Farmyard Manure and Jeevamrutha on Growth and Yield of Sunflower

A field experiment was conducted during Kharif 2017 at ZARS, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru to study the influence of different levels of Farm Yard Manure (FYM) and Jeevamrutha on growth and yield of Sunflower in red sandy loam soil. There were nine treatment combinations laid out in factorial randomized complete block design, which were replicated thrice. The experimental results revealed that, the application of FYM at 150 per cent nitrogen equivalent and jeevamrutha at 1500 L ha-1significantly influenced growth parameters like plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, leaf area index and total dry matter production. The interaction effect of FYM and jeevamrutha was significant in enhancing the seed yield of sunflower due to improvement in yield attributes like head diameter, number of seeds per head, hundred seed weight and seed yield per plant.

Effect of Different Sulphur Sources on Sulphur Fractionation in a Red Sandy Loam Soil

Aim: The aim of the present study was to examine the different forms of sulphur fractions in post- harvest soil of cabbage crop to determine the S status of red sandy loam soil, Thondamuthur block, Coimbatore district.
 Study Design: The design used in the present study was Factorial randomized block design with 20 treatments replicated thrice.
 Place and Duration of Study: A field experiment was carried out in a farmer’s field of red sandy loam non-calcareous soil, deficient in sulphur which was located at Viraliyur village of Thondamuthur block, Coimbatore district during February to May 2021 of rabi season.
 Methodology: A field experiment was carried out in sandy loam sulphur deficient soil with cabbage as test crop fertilized with NPK along with different sulphur sources viz., elemental sulphur, potassium sulphate, gypsum and single super phosphate @ levels of 0, 20, 40, 60 and 80 kg ha-1 replicated thrice in a Factorial Randomized Block Design. S fractions of water-soluble S, inorganic S, organic S, available S and residual S were estimated in post-harvest soil.
 Results: The results revealed that the total sulphur differed from 278.1 to 339.4 mg kg-1. Among the sulphur fractions, inorganic S (39%) accounts highest proportion of total S followed by organic S (38.3%), water-soluble S (9.19%) and available S (4.12%). The order was, Inorganic S > organic S > sulphate S > water soluble S.
 Conclusion: This study indicated that all the sulphur fractions are strongly associated with S sources, levels and properties of red sandy loam soil of Coimbatore district under cabbage cultivation.

Simulation of Total Dry Matter Production of Glycine Max L Merrill Under Weed Management Practices

An investigation on “Weed Management and Crop Growth Modeling in Soybean” was carry out on red sandy loam soil at UAS, Main Research Station, Hebbal, Bangalore during Rabi 2010 (September to December). The weed control practices included in the study were i) Pendimethalin 30 EC 1.0 kg a.i./ha – 3 days after sowing, ii) Imazethapyr 10 SL 100 g a.i./ha – 20 days after sowing, iii) Quizalofop-p-ethyl 5 EC 50 g a.i./ha – 20 days after sowing, iv) Chlorimuron ethyl 25 WP 6 g a.i./ha – 20 days after sowing, v) Hand weeding (20 & 40 DAS) and vi) un-weeded control. The experiment was designed as RCBD with four replications. Growth models – Richards, Logistic, Cubic polynomial and Quadratic polynomial simulated the course of dry matter production/plant by >97per cent under all weed management practices, indicating that weed competition did not alter the pattern of crop growth, but affected the total production substantially.

Simulation of Total Dry Matter Production of (Glycine Max L. Merrill) Under Weed Management Practices

An investigation on “Weed Management and Crop Growth Modeling in Soybean” was carry out on red sandy loam soil at UAS, Main Research Station, Hebbal, Bangalore during Rabi 2010 (September to December). The weed control practices included in the study were i) Pendimethalin 30 EC 1.0 kg a.i./ha – 3 days after sowing, ii) Imazethapyr 10 SL 100 g a.i./ha – 20 days after sowing, iii) Quizalofop-p-ethyl 5 EC 50 g a.i./ha – 20 days after sowing, iv) Chlorimuron ethyl 25 WP 6 g a.i./ha – 20 days after sowing, v) Hand weeding (20 & 40 DAS) and vi) un-weeded control. The experiment was designed as RCBD with four replications. Growth models – Richards, Logistic, Cubic polynomial and Quadratic polynomial simulated the course of dry matter production/plant by >97per cent under all weed management practices, indicating that weed competition did not alter the pattern of crop growth, but affected the total production substantially.

Comparative Efficacy of Leguminous Intercrops and Weed Management Practices on Nutrient Uptake, Productivity and Profitability of Maize based Intercropping System

Background: Presently, labour force is diminishing and becoming costlier. In agriculture management of weeds in cropped field has become a real challenge to the farmers, since weeds are affecting the crop yields due to competition for growth resources. Intercropping of leguminous crops and application of pre-emergence herbicides offers an ample scope for weed control. Methods: The present study was conducted at University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru during 2016 and 2017 on red sandy loam soil and the experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with factorial concept and replicated thrice. There were 15 treatment combinations involving three intercrops and five weed management treatments. Result: The results revealed that intercropping of maize with cowpea has recorded significantly higher grain yield (5842 kg/ha), stover yield (7035 kg/ha) and total nutrients uptake (99.53, 27.37, 96.95 kg/ha NPK, respectively). Among the chemical weed management practices, pre-emergence application of pendimethalin 30% EC @ 1.50 kg a.i./ha has recorded significantly higher grain (6589 kg/ha), stover yield (8033 kg/ha), maize equivalent yield (8860 kg/ha), total nutrients uptake (112.81, 31.05, 109.88 kg/ha NPK, respectively) and B:C ratio (3.35) compared to other weed management practices.

Influence of weed management practices in maize (Zea mays) based intercropping system

A field experiment was conducted at University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru during kharif 2016 and 2017 on red sandy loam soil and the experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design with factorial concept and replicated thrice. There were 15 treatment combinations involving three intercrops and five weed management practices. The results of the experiment revealed that intercropping of maize (Zea mays L.) with cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] has recorded significantly lower total weed density (5.92 No./m2), weed dry weight (6.21 g/ m2), higher WCE (66.97 %), lower WI (17.67 %), higher grain yield (5842 kg/ha) and stover yield (7035 kg/ha) but the higher MEY (8224 kg/ha) was recorded in maize + pole bean intercropping system. Among the different weed management practices, pre-emergence application of pendimethalin 30 % EC @ 1.50 kg/ha recorded significantly lower weed population (5.12 No./m2), weed dry weight (5.05 g/m2), higher WCE (81.81 %), lower WI (7.24 %), higher grain (6589 kg/ha), stover yield (8033 kg/ha) and MEY (8860 kg/ha) compared to other weed management practices.

Evaluation of Interactive Effects of Row Arrangement, Plant Geometry and Mulching on Yield of Early Maturity Maize Hybrid under Traditional Rainfed Conditions

Aim: To study the grain yield performance of early maturity maize hybrid under rainfed conditions in relation to row arrangement, plant geometry and mulching.
 Place of Study: A field experiment was conducted at Agricultural research station, Karimnagar during kharif 2011-12.
 Methodology: The experiment was carried out in red sandy loam soils, in a split- split plot design with main plots as row arrangement (2) i.) Equal rows at 67cm ii). Paired row at 84: 50cm (Between and within paired rows), Sub plots as plant geometry (3) i.) with 40000 Plants/ha (intra row spacing of 37 cm) ii.) with 50000 Plants /ha (intra spacing of 30cm) iii.) with 60000 Plants/ha (intra row spacing of 25cm) and Sub- sub plots as mulching treatments (2) i.) without mulching ii.) with surface mulch @ 5 t/ha. The results indicated that there is no significant difference in grain yield of early maturity maize hybrid, when the crop is grown in equal row spacing of 67cm (5148 kg/ha) or paired row spacing of 84:50cm (4962 kg/ha). The grain yield of maize crop with 60000 Plants /ha (i.e., 25 cm intra row spacing) recorded higher grain yield of 5339 kg/ha followed by maize crop with 50000 Plant /ha (i.e., 30 cm intra row spacing) with 5097 kg/ha grain yield and 4729 kg/ha with 40000 Plant/ha (i.e., 37 cm intra row spacing). When crop rows were mulched with grass and dried weed material @ 5t/ha significantly increased the maize grain yield (5724 kg/ha) by 23 % than compared to the crop kept without mulch (4386 kg/ha). Consequently, the maize crop with surface mulching resulted in higher net returns (Rs.31770/ha) and benefit cost ratio of 1.7 over no mulching. While, the interaction for all parameters was non significant.
 Results: It can be concluded that farmers can either follow equal row spacing or paired row spacing based on situation, as there is no significant difference in terms of yield by either method. Mulching of inter row of maize crop under rainfed conditions has resulted in 23% increased yield than that of crop kept without mulch.