Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth Research Articles

Effect of organic and inorganic sources on the distribution of different fractions of potassium in vertisol

A field experiment was conducted at Dryland Research Station,Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani during 2003-04 and 2004-05 in Vertisol with application of organics and inorganics sources of nutrients under different cropping system viz. , soybean-pigeonpea and sorghum-pigeonpea. After these two crop cycles, the added potassium was found to be converted to various potassium fractions. Among the different fractions, maximum potassium was found in the form of total potassium followed by lattice potassium, non-exchangeable K, exchangeable K, Water soluble K. The Water soluble K and exchangeable K in soil decreased with the age of crop due to their utilization by crop for its nutrition. The relationship as simple and multiple regressions between available K and different K fractions was interdependent to each other.

Effect of soaking on physical functional and cooking time of cowpea, horsegram and mothbean

The effect of different soaking media on physical parameter such as hundred seed weight , bulk density, density, functional characteristics viz. , hydration capacity, swelling capacity and cooking time of cowpea, horsegram and mothbean were studied. The study was carried out in year 2014 at the college of Food Technology Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth Parbhani. The seeds were soaked in three different solution at room temperature viz ., normal drinking water (T 1 ), 1 per cent NaCl solution (T 2 ) and 1 per cent NaHCO 3 solution (T 3 ) separately for 12 hr and one was kept untreated (T 0 ). In cowpea significant increase in hundred seed weight from 6.82 g (T 0 ) to 9.40 g (T 1 ), 9.54 (T 2 ) and 10.54g (T 3 ) was found. Similar results observed for horsegram and mothbean of significant increase in Hundred Seed Weight after soaking. The highest bulk density (0.633 gml ?1 )was observed in cowpea seeds soaked in sodium bicarbonate solution(T 3 ) compared T 2 (0.622gml ?1 ) and T 1 (0.59gml ?1 ). Likewise in cowpea density of T 0 was significantly highest (1.24 gml ?1 ) followed by T 3 (1.05 gml ?1 ) and T 2 (0.95 gml ?1 ).The similar trend of decrease in bulk density and density compared to samples without soaking was observed in mothbean and cowpea. The T 3 sample gave significantly higher hydration capacity0.037gseed ?1 ofcowpea,0.055gseed ?1 ofhorsegram and0.027gseed ?1 ofmothbeanthanT 2 andT 1 inall three legume. In cowpea the soaking treatment did not show significant difference in swelling power for T 2 (0.045g seed ?1 ), T 3 (0.045g seed ?1 ) and T 1 (0.044g seed ?1 ).While sample T 3 had maximum value for swelling power in both horse gram(0.50 gseed ?1 ) and mothbean (0.035 g seed ?1 )compared to T 2 and T 1 treatment . Soaking study revealed that there is significant reduction in cooking time of three legume soaked . For cowpea the treatment T 1 , T 2 and T 3 showed 51.42 per cent, 65.71 per cent and 85.71 per cent reduction in cooking time, respectively compared with unsoaked seed samples (T 0 ). In horsegram the soaking treatment T 3 , T 2 and T 1 had 45.45 per cent, 30.90 per cent and 12.72 per cent decrease in cooking time, respectively. Similarly in mothbean decrease in cooking time of T 3 (80%), T 2 (50%)and T 1 (20%) was found . Among three legume the lowest cooking time recorded in mothbean followed by cowpea and horsegram.

Studies on hyper spectral reflectance behaviour of maize (Zea mays L.) under various fertility levels

Stress in vegetation is distinguished by using plant canopy spectral reflectance data by virtue of its notable absorption in red and blue segments of visible spectrum due to chlorophyll and its higher green reflectance in the near infra-red. The chlorophyll concentration in plant canopy is mainly attributed to the nutrient availability/deficiency in growth media. Hence, it was hypothesized that, spectral data of crop canopy under varying fertility levels may focus light on growth and development of crop. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted in winter season 2009-10 at Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani, India using maize as test crop in Vertisols under varying fertility levels. The experiment was laid out with six treatments, replicated four times in two factor Randomized Block Design. The hyper spectral measurements showed decrease in red and increase I NIR reflectance by maize upto 82 DAS and reversed thereafter. Amongst all treatments, higher absorbance of red wavelength and reflectance of NIR by maize canopy was observed in growth media received 100 kg N, 50 kg P 2 O 5 ,30 kg S, 20 kg ZnSO 4 and two sprays 2 per cent Fe at silking and cob development stage. It was noticed that hyper spectral observations should be centralized between 550 to 670 nm and 750 to 1050 nm wavelength bands during 51 to 82 days after sowing in maize, for getting discrimination due to various nutrient applications. Chlorophyll was found to be most influencing factor contributing to total spectral reflectance. Further, it was concluded that even with the hyper spectral data it was difficult to identify/discriminate the specific nutrient deficiency in crop plant.

Effects of weather parameters on incidence sucking pests on Bt cotton

Abiotic factors viz., temperature, rainfall, humidity etc. affect the incidence of insect pest population. The effects of weather parameters on incidence of sucking pests of Bt cotton was studied during Kharif 2013 at Department of Agricultural Entomology, Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani (MS). The weather parameter studied regarding sucking pests of Bt cotton concluded that aphid, jassid and whitefly showed positively significant correlation with maximum temperature. Whereas, jassids and thrips showed negatively significance with relative humidity and rainfall.

Analysis of websites of agricultural universities in Maharashtra : A web analytic study

The present study was undertaken to examine the content of SAU's websites in Maharashtra and compare with each other on the basis of ICAR guidelines and to appraise webometrics of the SAUs websites. The result of the study showed that general information such as about institute, how to reach, organizational setup, regional stations, AICRPs project were available on all SAU's websites. All SAU's websites have web objects about academic programme, admission, academic rules and regulation, student welfare. The study indicated that all the websites of SAU's have web objects about ongoing projects, research achievement and varieties developed. Agro advisory and help line available on every websites of SAU's. Information about books, periodicals, journals and online/offline literature database is provided in separate internal links of library webpage of all the SAUs. Web object about tenders and photo gallery and RTI act information were mentioned on the websites of all SAU's. Webometric analysis of SAUs websites showed that website of Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola, Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli and Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri occupies 1 st , 2 nd and 3 rd positions, respectively whereas Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani holds 4 th place among the SAUs. Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli and Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola shares 1 st rank with 5 points out of 10 points whereas websites of Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, ranks 2 nd with 4 points out of 10 points. It is indicated that size of home page of websites of Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani, Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli and Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola are 15.14 kb, 22.58 kb and 50.94 kb, respectively. The study helps the webmaster and the respective university to improvise the usability of websites.

Evaluation of Multivoltine Mulberry Silkworm (Bombyx MoriL.) Hybrids

The present investigations were carried out at Sericulture Research Unit, Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani (Maharashtra) to evaluate the performance multivoltine mulberry silkworm (Bombyx mori L.) hybrids. The results revealed that the multivoltine hybrid Mysore Princess x OS-616 was superior in terms of fecundity (433.00), single cocoon weight (1.107 g), single shell weight (0.167 g), shell ratio (15.08%) and cocoon yield/10000 larvae brushed (11.07 kg). Hybrid C. Nichi x Kolar Gold was significantly superior for lowest spinning period (46.63 hrs) and CB5 x G Race was significant for highest effective rate of rearing (99.66%).

Effect of integrated nitrogen management on growth and yield of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)

A field experiment was conducted during kharif season of 2011 in vertisols at Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani to study the effect of integrated nitrogen management on growth and yield of sesame varieties. The results indicated that variety AKT-101 was superior over Phule Til-1 in producing higher growth, yield attributes and yield. Among different integrated nitrogen management practices, application of recommended dose of fertilizer (60:40 N: P2O5 kg/ha) had the highest growth, yield attributes and yield of sesame which was at par with the application of 25% N through vermicompost + 75% N through urea. Gross monetary returns and net monetary returns were higher in recommended dose of fertilizer than integrated nitrogen levels. Among different varieties, AKT-101 recorded highest gross and net monetary returns.

Influence of phosphorus and sulphur levels on nodulation, growth parameters and yield of soybean (Glycine max L.) grown on Vertisol

A field experiments were conducted for two consecutive years during 2009-10 and 2010-11to study the effect of phosphorus and sulphur levels on soybean (Glycine max L.) at Research Farm, Department of Soil Science and Agril. Chemistry, Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani (M.S.) on Vertisol (Typic Hapluster) deficient in phosphorus and sulphur. The treatments consisted of four levels of sulphur (S0, S20, S40 and S60 kg ha-1) and four levels of phosphorus (P0, P30, P60 and P90 kg P2O5 ha-1) applied through elemental sulphur and DAP, respectively. Results revealed that due to increase in the phosphorus and sulphur levels, there was effective improvement in nodulation, fresh weight of nodules plant-1 and growth parameters viz., plant height, leaf area, root length, root dry weight plant-1 and number of pods plant-1 at various growth stages of soybean. The yield i.e. grain, straw and total biological yield of soybean increased significantly with increasing levels of both phosphorus and sulphur. Further, synergistic effect of phosphorus and sulphur interactions on straw and total biological yield was highest at 90 kg P2O5 + 60 kg S ha-1 followed by 90 kg P2O5 + 40 kg S ha-1, 90 kg P2O5 + 20 kg S ha-1 and 60 kg P2O5 + 60 kg S ha-1 in straw yield and 90 kg P2O5 ha-1 with 60 or 40 kg S ha-1 produced significantly higher yield over S application with 30 and 0 kg P2O5 ha-1 in total biological yield.

Effect of different sources of nutrients on growth, yield and quality of soybean varieties

A field experiment was conducted at P.G. student research farm, Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani (M.S.) India during Kharif season 2011 to study effect of different sources of nutrients on growth, yield and quality of soybean varieties. The results of the study revealed that growth, yield and quality of soybean differ significantly due to varied nutrient levels. Variety MAUS-71 recorded significantly higher plant height, followed by JS-335. Maximum number of branches, LAI, number of pods per plant, dry matter and number of nodules per plant was observed in variety JS-335 followed by MAUS-71 and the lowest was noticed in cultivar MAUS-158. Yield attributing characters i.e. number of pods plant-1, 100 seed weight, seed yield, straw yield and harvest index were significantly higher in variety JS-335. Cultivar JS-335 created maximum protein yield as well as oil yield which was significantly superior over rest of the genotypes. The chemical source of nutrient @ RDF: 30:60:30 NPK kg ha-1 gave the highest productivity as compared to other sources of nutrients used in the experiment. The soil fertility can be improved by application of farmyard manure @ 5 tonnes hectare-1 in respect of available NPK and OC.

Effect of ferrous and zinc nutrient management practices on rice under aerobic condition

A field experiment was conducted in medium black soil with slightly alkaline in reaction in 2011, 2012 and 2013 at Upland Paddy Research Scheme, Research Farm, Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani (M.S.). Rice variety ‘Parag’ was sown with 30 cm row spacing and 60 kg seed rate/ ha. Experiment was laid out in Randomized BlockDesign with three replications. Ten treatments were tested viz., N-P-K only 80-50-50 kg/ha (recommended dose of fertilizer-RDF) (N1), NPK (RDF)+ ZnSO4 @10 kg/ha through soil (N2), NPK (RDF)+ ZnSO4 @10 kg/ha + FeSO4@10 kg/ha thorough soil (N3), farm yard manure (FYM) @ 5 t/ha + NPK (RDF) (N4), FYM @ 5 t/ha + NPK (RDF) + ZnSO4 @10 kg/ha thorough soil (N5), FYM @ 5 t/ha + NPK (RDF) + ZnSO4 @10 kg/ha + FeSO4@10 kg/ha thorough soil (N6), NPK (RDF) + two foliar sprays of ZnSO4 @ 0.5 per cent at 20 and 45 DAS (N7), NPK (RDF) + two foliar sprays of ZnSO4 @ 0.5 per cent + FeSO4 @ 0.5 per cent at 20 and 45 DAS (N8), FYM @ 5 t/ha + NPK (RDF)+ two foliar sprays of ZnSO4 @ 0.5 per cent at 20 and 45 DAS (N9) and FYM @ 5 t/ ha +NPK (RDF) + two foliar sprays of ZnSO4 @ 0.5 per cent + FeSO4@ 0.5 per cent at 20 and 45 DAS (N10). Soil was low in nitrogen, ferrous and zinc; medium in phosphorous and rich in potash. Rainfall during experimental period was 636 mm, 678 mm, 1134 mm in cropping season during 2011, 2012 and 2013, respectively. In pooled analysis the significantly highest rice seed yield was obtained when recommended dose of N-P-K (80 - 50 - 50 kg/ha) and farm yard manure @ 5 t/ha with soil application of both the micronutrients i.e. FeSO4 and ZnSO4 @ 10 kg/ha (N6) was used, however, it was at par with recommended dose of fertilizer and farm yard manure with two foliar applications of both the micronutrients i.e. FeSO4 and ZnSO4 at 20 and 45 DAS (N10) and use of recommended dose of fertilizer and soil application of both the micronutrients i.e. FeSO4 and ZnSO4 @ 10 kg/ha (N3). However, significantly highest net monitory returns were obtained with the application of N-P-K @ 80-50-50 kg/ha, respectively, with FeSO4 and ZnSO4 through soil @ 10 kg/ha than rest of the nutrient management treatments in 2011, 12 and 13.

Weekly water balance of pomegranate in Parbhani district

Water balance study is carried out to determine the weekly evapotranspiration, irrigation required and available useful rainfall. Daily rainfall data was collected from Metrological Department, Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani. Daily rainfall were converted to weekly rainfall. Daily reference crop evapotranspiration values were estimated by Penman-Monteith method with help of DSS_ET software. The weekly water requirement and weekly effective rainfall gives an idea about irrigation required. The Pomegranate evapotranspiration in Ambia bahar is more as compare to Mrig and Hast bahar. It observe that supplemental irrigation required in Mrig bahar is highest followed by Hast and Ambia bahar. Rainfall contribution to the Pomegranate evapotranspiration is maximum for Ambia Bahar than Mrig and Hast bahar. number of water deficit weeks maximum in Mrig bahar followed by Ambia and Hast bahar.

Existing organizational climate in Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth

The present study was conducted in Marathwada region of Maharashtra state. The Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani was purposively selected for the study as one of the Agricultural University of Maharashtra State having integrated functioning of teaching, research and extension. 100 respondents were selected from the various faculties of Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani on the basis of their involvement. It was observed that more than half respondents had medium age group (53 %) ranging in 38 to 53 years, 55 per cent were educated upto Ph.D. degree level, 55 per cent were Assistant Professor, 58 per cent having medium service experience, 76 per cent of respondents were male, 66 per cent belonged to open category, 58 per cent belonged to rural background, 68 per cent were from medium income group, 76 per cent were in medium category of job satisfaction group, 39 per cent were of medium level achievement motivation. It was observed that 61 per cent of respondents that were in medium level of existing organizational climate. It was observed that the variable such as designation (0.342), annual income (0.259) and job satisfaction (0.289) were positively and significantly related to existing organizational climate.

Bioefficacy of newer neonicotenoids against sucking insect pests of Bt cotton

A field experiment was conducted at the experimental farm of Department of Entomology, Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani during Kharif 2013 to evaluate the bio-efficacy of neonicotenoids against sucking pests of Bt cotton. The results revealed that significantly lowest population of sucking pests per three leaves was recorded in nitenpyram 10 per cent WSG @ 100 g a.i./ha, dinotefuran 20 per cent SG @ 50 g a.i./ha and clothianidin 50 per cent WDG @ 20 g a.i./ha were the most effective treatments in reducing incidence of sucking pests on Bt cotton as compared to acetamiprid 20 per cent SP @ 20 g a.i./ha, imidacloprid 17.8 SL, thiamethoxam 25 per cent WS @ 25 g a.i./ha and thiacloprid 21.7 per cent SC @ 30 g a.i./ha.

Effect of fungicides, botanicals and bioagents against purple blotch of onion caused by Alternaria porri

A study was conducted in the of Department Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, Latur, Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani, Maharashtra, India, during 2011 to control Alternaria porri causing Alternaria blight of onion with fungicides, botanical and bio-agents. Among nine treatments, six fungicides (@ 100, 200, 250 and 500 ppm concentrations), one plant extract and two bioagents (@ 500 ppm) were evaluated in vitro in vivo and were found effective against A. porri and recorded significant inhibition of the test pathogen over untreated control. However, in vitro result revealed that in hexaconozole cent per cent (100.00 %) inhibition was observed, followed by difenoconazole (83.91 %), mancozeb (63.58%), P. florescence (58.94 %) and T. viride (54.45%). The minimum per cent inhibition was observed in chlorothalonil (31.40 %) followed by plant extract NSKE (43.92 %), copper oxychloride (46.87 %) and carbandazim (47.11 %). In vivo results revealed that hexaconozole (0.1%) was found most effective and recorded significantly least mean disease incidence (6.03 %) and intensity (13.33 %) with corresponding significantly increased bulb yield (438.00 q/ha) followed by mancozeb (@ 0.2%) and copper oxychloride (0.25%) which recorded significantly mean disease incidence of 6.83 and 8.53 per cent and intensity, 15.00 and 20.00 per cent, respectively and gave correspondingly bulb yield, respectively of 375.00 and 429.00 q/ha. The botanical tested, A. indica (@ 5%) was found antifungal against A. porri and recorded significantly disease incidence (7.96 %) and intensity (27.00 %), and gave the bulb yield (290.00 q/ha). Both fungal and bacterial antagonists tested were found not so effective to reduce incidence and intensity, attempt increased the bulb yield over unsprayed control. How to view point the article : Wanggikar, A.A., Wagh, S.S., Kuldhar, D.P. and Pawar, D.V. (2014). Effect of fungicides, botanicals and bioagents against purple blotch of onion caused by Alternaria porri. Internat. J. Plant Protec., 7(2) : 405-410.

Mental health of undergraduate students and its influencing factors

Two hundred undergraduate students between the age group of 18-23 yrs were selected from randomly chosen five colleges of Parbhani town of Marathwada region, Maharashtra State between the age group of 18-23 yrs by simple random sampling method with an intention to have the youth of diverse background in the sample. The data pertaining to the study were collected by personally interviewing the sample undergraduate students based on open ended interview schedule and by administering on them Mental Health Inventory, Self-Esteem Inventory and Socio-Economic Status Scale. No significant differences were recorded with respect to the mental health status of the students based on their socio-economic status and gender. With respect to the various dimensions of mental health of the sample students and its magnitude based on their SES, significantly a higher percentage of the male students in low SES families assessed to have good group oriented attitude than their counterparts female students, while it was vice-versa with regard to the poor environmental mastery. On the other hand, in middle SES group, significantly a higher percentage of the female students were assessed to have good integration of personality, fair positive self-evaluation and group oriented attitude than their counterparts male students. However, significantly a higher percentage of the male students were recorded to have good group oriented attitude and fair autonomy as compared to the female students. Hence, there is a great need to provide strong and positive supportive social network of family, peers, lecturers and neighbourers to youth for helping them to have good mental health in addition to training them on relaxation strategies and techniques for combating with stress to empower them so as to lead a quality life. How to cite this paper : Bangale, Jaya and Patnam, Vishala (2014). Mental health of undergraduate students and its influencing factors. Internat. J. Med. Sci., 7(1 & 2) : 38-42. See end of the paper for authors’ affiliation Correspondence to : JAYA BANGALE Department of Human Development and Family Studies, College of Home Science, Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, PRABHANI (M.S.) INDIA Email: bangalej@gmail.com RESEARCH PAPER International Journal of Medical Sciences Volume 7 | Issue 1&2 | October, 2014 | 38-42 e ISSN-0976-7932 | Visit us www.researchjournal.co.in DOI : 10.15740/HAS/IJMS/7.1and2/38-42 Click www.researchjournal.co.in/online/subdetail.html to purchase.

Rainwater Harvesting and Recycling for Sustainable Agriculture in Assured Rainfall Zone of Marathwada Region, Maharashtra

The study was conducted with dug out farm pond at Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani, during 2010–11 to 2013–14. Reutilization study on protective irrigation to soybean was conducted during kharif 2013. On an average, runoff of 12.43% and harvesting potential of 11.10% of rainfall was observed from the catchment area of 1.60 ha during experimentation period. An average total storage loss of 1718.10 m3 was observedduring theperiod from July to December comprising an evaporation and seepage losses of 150.59 m3 (8.67%) and 1567.51 m3 (90.29%), respectively. One protective irrigation of 5 cm to soybean at maturity stage during prevailing critical dryspell, increased soybean grain yield by 30.87%. An average irrigation potential, on the basis of monthly storage volume of farm pond during 2010 and 2013, was observed as 0.87 ha.

Effect of Different Sowing Dates on Growth and Yield of Kharif Sorghum Hybrids

The experiment was conducted on experimental farm of Department of Agricultural Meteorology, College of Agriculture, Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani, during kharif season 2012-13 entitled as Yield Forecasting of Sorghum by using Statistical Model to find out most optimum meteorological week for sowing sorghum in kharif season, to study the relationship between meteorological parameters and yield and to develop statistical model for yield forecasting. The results were obtained from the experiment it was found that all the biometric observations (plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, LAI and dry matter ) in kharif sorghum were significantly highest in treatment of sowing in 24 MW (11 to 17 June) followed by second sowing date 25 MW (18 to 24 June). Amongst the varieties all the biometric observations were recorded significantly highest in V1 (PSH-71). Sowing in 24 MW significantly superior over the rest of treatments with production of highest grain yield 1482.10 kg ha -1 followed by sowing in second sowing date 25MW 1444.2 kg ha -1 which was at par with sowing in 24 MW in respect to all yield attributing characters and lowest grain yield was observed in fourth sowing i.e 27 MW 1119.31 kg ha -1 . Hence, sowing of kharif sorghum should be completed on 24 MW or before 25 MW; otherwise there is chance of reduction of grain yield with delayed sowing.

Stress management in rainfed Bt. cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) through foliar sprays

In India, Bt cotton is grown on 122 Lakh ha area with production of 361 lakh bales and productivity is of 501 kg lint/ha. In Maharashtra it is grown on 41 lakh ha area with productivity of 81 lakh bales and productivity is 334 kg lint/ha. Cotton is grown on large scale under rainfed condition in Marathwada region of Maharashtra State and is a preferred cash crop in Kharif season by marginal as well as large farmers. The productivity of rainfed cotton par- ticularly in Marathwada region is uncertain due to occurrence of frequent dry spells particularly during July to Sep- tember. Hence to overcome the moisture stress under such dry spells condition and to obtain the sustainability in productivity, the measures like foliar application of potassium nitrate, water spray and other micronutrients are es- sential for reducing the rate of evapotranspiration. The experiment was conducted during 2017 to 2019 on experi- mental farm of All India Coordinated Research Project on Dryland Agriculture, Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani. Study resulted that application of foliar spray of KNO (30 and 60 days after sowing) was 3 significantly superior in respect of increase in cotton yield as well as Net Returns as compared to the other treat- ments. Similarly, application of foliar spray during dry spell was also found superior than application of foliar spray after release of dry spells. The chlorophyll content, percent RWC and NDVI were also found higher under applica- tion of foliar spray which reflected in enhancing Bt. cotton productivity.