Modified planting geometry and fertilizer rate on productivity of corn (Zea mays L.) in Vertisols

A field experiment was conducted at Raichur, Karnataka with an objective to find out production potential of grain corn planted in clumps and rate of fertilizer application. Design followed was split plot and repeated thrice with rate of fertilizer application as main factor and planting geometry as sub factor. Treatments consists of planting corn at 2, 3, 4 seeds/hill compared with single seeds/hill (60 cm x 20 cm) and farmers practice uneven spacing. In clumped plants inter row spacing is similar (60 cm) and intra row distance is differ to maintain uniform plant density (83,333 plants/ha) in each treatment. Recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) was applied in 2 splits and 150% RDF in 3 splits. Results revealed that planting 2 seeds /hill at 60 cm x 40 cm recorded significantly higher yield, economics of corn as compared to 3 and 4 seeds/hill and farmers practice. As increased plant population per hill maintains higher soil moisture at 75 days after planting (7.5-9.4%) and lower dry matter per plant at harvest (236.3 to 185.5 g) as compared to conventional planting. Application of higher (150%) fertilizers in 3 splits recorded higher dry matter production, grain yield, and economic returns over RDF. This may be useful strategy for corn productivity enhancement by clump planting with higher fertilizer rate

Light interception and yield response of cotton varieties to high density planting and fertilizers in sub-tropical India

Plant density and optimum fertilization are two important agronomic practices to enhance productivity of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) varieties. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of high density planting (HDPS) and fertilization rate, especially their interactions, on yield, yield components of cotton varieties in sub-tropical India. Split-split plot design was adopted and replicated thrice. The main plots were assigned to low, medium and high plant densities (16.7, 13.3 and 11.1 plants/m2). Pre released cotton varieties TCH-1705 and LH-2298 were tested in low, moderate and high rates of fertilizers recommended for the region (100, 125 and 150 %) in sub-sub plots. Significantly higher seed cotton yield (1148 kg/ha) was achieved in narrow inter row spaced at 60 cm over normal plant row spacing of 90 cm (1025 kg/ha). Compact genotype TCH-1705 was out yielded (1146 kg/ha) over LH 2298(1044 kg/ha). Application of fertilizers at higher rate improved seed cotton yield (1232 kg/ha) Leaf area index (3.8) and light interception (0.98) over blanket recommendation. The results of the study inferred that seed cotton yield improvement was possible under HDPS production system with compact varieties grown at narrow spacing and higher fertilizer dose

Light interception and yield response of cotton varieties to high density planting and fertilizers in sub-tropical India

Plant density and optimum fertilization are two important agronomic practices to enhance productivity of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) varieties. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of high density planting (HDPS) and fertilization rate, especially their interactions, on yield, yield components of cotton varieties in sub-tropical India. Split-split plot design was adopted and replicated thrice. The main plots were assigned to low, medium and high plant densities (16.7, 13.3 and 11.1 plants/m2). Pre released cotton varieties TCH-1705 and LH-2298 were tested in low, moderate and high rates of fertilizers recommended for the region (100, 125 and 150 %) in sub-sub plots. Significantly higher seed cotton yield (1148 kg/ha) was achieved in narrow inter row spaced at 60 cm over normal plant row spacing of 90 cm (1025 kg/ha). Compact genotype TCH-1705 was out yielded (1146 kg/ha) over LH 2298(1044 kg/ha). Application of fertilizers at higher rate improved seed cotton yield (1232 kg/ha) Leaf area index (3.8) and light interception (0.98) over blanket recommendation. The results of the study inferred that seed cotton yield improvement was possible under HDPS production system with compact varieties grown at narrow spacing and higher fertilizer dose

Effect of Nano Fertilizers on Growth, Yield, Nutrient Uptake and Soil Microbiology of Kharif Sorghum

Aims: Foliar nutrition is aimed to eliminate the problems of fixation and immobilization of nutrients. Hence, foliar nutrition is being recognized as a significant way of fertilizing modern agriculture, especially under rainfed conditions. Nano fertilizers because of smaller size and higher surface area are efficient as compared to conventional and produce better results when used in combined form. Study Design: The experiment was laid out in Randomized complete block design with three replications. Place and Duration of Study: A field experiment was conducted in medium black soils at Agricultural Research Station, Hagari, during Kharif 2022. Methodology: There were ten treatment combinations, consisting of different doses of RDF (50 % RNP, 75 % RNP and 100 % RDF and absolute control) with different doses of nano urea and Dap sprayed at 30 and 45 DAS for CSH-16 hybrid of sorghum. Results: Application of 75% RNP as basal + nano urea & DAP spray @ 1.5 ml l-1 each at 30 and 45 DAS recorded significantly higher number of leaves, leaf area and leaf area index. It also produced higher earhead length (35.9 cm), number of grains earhead-1 (2207), grain weight (57 g plant-1) and test weight (29.3 g 1000 grains-1). Nutrient content and uptake also showed higher values for the same treatment along with the nutrient use efficiency indices. Whereas, significant reduction in soil microbes was noticed by the application of treatment. Conclusion: Combined application of conventional and nano fertilizers helped to increase growth, growth attributes like number of leaves, leaf area, leaf area index, yield attributes, nutrient content, nutrient uptake and nutrient use efficiency of sorghum

Effects of Integrated Weed Management Practices on Weed Parameters and Yield of Bt Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

Aim: To know the effect of integrated weed management on weed parameters and yield of bt cotton. Study Design: Randomized complete block design. Place and Duration of Study: College of Agriculture Farm, Bheemaraynagudi between July 2021 and Feb 2022. Methodology: The field experiment was conducted during Kharif 2021 at Experimental block, College of Agriculture, Bheemarayanagudi. The soil of the experiment field was deep black clayey in texture. The experiment comprises 11 weed management practices viz., T1: Pendimethalin 38.7% CS @ 750 g a.i./ha as PE + Hand weeding @ 20-25 DAS and Intercultivation @ 55-60 DAS, T2: Pendimethalin 38.7 % CS @ 750 g a.i./ha as PE fb Pyrithiobac Sodium 10 EC @ 75g a.i./ha + Quizalofop ethyl 5 EC @ 37.5g a.i./ha as PoE @ 25 DAS and Intercultivation @ 55-60 DAS. (Tank mix), T3 : Pendimethalin 38.7 % CS @ 750 g a.i./ha as PE fb Pyrithiobac Sodium 10 EC @ 50g a.i./ha + Quizalofop ethyl 5 EC @ 25 g a.i./ha as PoE @ 25 DAS and Intercultivation @ 55-60 DAS, T4 :Pendimethalin 38.7 % CS @ 750 g a.i./ha as PE fb Pyrithiobac Sodium 10 EC @ 75g a.i./ha + Quizalofop ethyl 5 EC @ 37.5g a.i./ha as PoE @ 25 DAS and Intercultivation @ 55-60 DAS, T5 : Pendimethalin 38.7 % CS @ 750 g a.i./ha as PE fb Pyrithiobac Sodium 10 EC @ 100g a.i./ha + Quizalofop ethyl 5 EC @ 50g a.i./ha as PoE @ 25 DAS and Intercultivation @ 55-60 DAS, T6 : Pyrithiobac Sodium 10 EC @ 50g a.i./ha + Quizalofop ethyl 5 EC @ 25g a.i./ha as PoE @ 25 DAS and Intercultivation @ 55-60 DAS, T7: Pyrithiobac Sodium 10 EC @ 75g a.i./ha + Quizalofop ethyl 5 EC @ 37.5g a.i./ha as PoE @ 25 DAS and Intercultivation @ 55-60 DAS, T8: Pyrithiobac Sodium 10 EC @ 100g a.i./ha + Quizalofop ethyl 5 EC @ 50g a.i./ha as PoE @ 25 DAS and Intercultivation @ 55-60 DAS, T9: Farmers practice (Hand weeding @ 25 DAS and 2 intercultivations @ 50 and 75 DAS), T10: Weedy check, T11: Weed free check. Results: Among the treatments, application of pendimethalin 38.7 % CS @ 750 g a.i./ha as PE fb pyrithiobac sodium 10 EC @ 100 g a.i./ha + quizalofop ethyl 5 EC @ 50 g a.i./ha as PoE (combi-product) @ 25 DAS and intercultivation @ 55-60 DAS recorded significantly lower weed density and higher weed control efficiency (82.39 %), also recorded higher seed cotton yield (2495 kg ha-1) and stalk yield (4056 kg ha-1) over other treatments. Conclusion: Application of Pendimethalin 38.7 % CS @ 750 g a.i./ha as PE fb Pyrithiobac Sodium 10 EC @ 100g a.i./ha + Quizalofop ethyl 5 EC @ 50g a.i./ha as PoE @ 25 DAS and Intercultivation @ 55-60 DAS was found effective in controlling the weeds with coupled with higher seed cotton yield

Impact of Chemical Weed Management Practices on Yield, Nutrient Uptake and Balance in Soil of High Density Planting Cotton in Deep Vertisols

In order to assess Clomazone 50 EC's effectiveness on seed cotton yield, nutrient uptake, and balance in HDPS cotton in deep Vertisols of the Northern Karnataka region, a field experiment was carried out in 2017–18 and 2018–19. The recommended course of treatment includes pre-emergence applications of Clomazone 50 EC at 250, 500, and 750 g a.i./ha compared to pendimethalin 37.5 CS@680 g a.i./ha, post-emergence applications of pyrithiobac sodium 10 EC and quizalofop ethyl hand weeding at 25 DAS and intercultivation at 50 and 75 days after sowing, as well as weed free. The experiment was set up using a randomised block design with triple replication. The application of Clomazone 50 EC @ 250 g a.i./ha was found to be effective in weed control and enhanced seed cotton yield (38.5%), according to the results. It led to excellent weed control, decreased nitrogen uptake by weeds, and increased nutrient uptake by the crop. Additionally, it leads to the least amount of nutrient losses in terms of uptake and losses. In order to effectively manage weeds in cotton, it was observed that Clomazone 50 EC @ 250 g a.i/ha, followed by pyrithiobac sodium 10 EC @ 75 g a.i./ha + Quizalofop ethyl 5 EC @ 75 g a.i./ha at 25 DAS, were the best applications

Effect of Nano Nitrogen on Growth, Yield and Nutrient Uptake of Bt Cotton

Aims: Foliar application of nano nitrogen is aimed to reduce the soil application of conventional nitrogen. Nano fertilizers enhance crop growth, yield and quality while enhancing the faster nutrient uptake and reducing costs. They provide precise nutrient management, matching crop growth stage and offer increased surface area for metabolic reactions. This boosts photosynthesis, leading to higher dry matter production and crop yield. Foliar application of nano urea (liquid) at flowering, boll initiation and boll development stages in cotton fulfills the nitrogen requirement and reflects higher crop productivity and quality. Higher productivity of crops in sustainable manner could be achieved applying appropriate combination of conventional fertilizer and nano fertilizers.   Study Design: The experiment was laid out in split design with three replications. Place and Duration of Study: A field experiment was conducted in shallow black soils at Main Agricultural Research Station, Raichur, during kharif 2022. Methodology: There were fifteen treatment combinations, consisting of different doses of RDN (50 % N, 75 % N and 100 % N) with different concentrations of nano urea sprayed at 90, 100 DAS and 135 DAS for US-7067 BG-Ⅱ hybrid of Bt cotton. Results: Application of 100% RDN has recorded significantly higher plant height, sympodial branches plant-1 and total dry matter accumulation (176.9 cm, 27.1 and 430.31g plant-1, respectively) followed by 75 % RDN (168 cm, 26.7 and 426.91 g plant-1, respectively) which found on par with each other. It also produced higher number of bolls plant-1 (50.3), boll weight (5.81 g) and seed cotton yield (3388 kg ha-1) followed by 75 % RDN (50.2, 5.36 g and 3376 kg ha-1, respectively) which found comparable with each other. Foliar application of nano urea @ 0.6 per cent each at 90, 100 and 135 DAS has recorded significantly higher plant height (180.8 cm), sympodial branches plant-1 (28.5), total dry matter accumulation (429.42 g plant-1), number of bolls plant-1 (52.2), boll weight (5.93 g) and seed cotton yield (3485 kg ha-1)  followed by foliar spray of nano urea @ 0.4 per cent each at 90, 100 and 135 DAS (173.3 cm, 28, 428.52 g plant-1, 51.8, 5.67 g and 3465 kg ha-1, respectively) which found on par with each other. Similar trend was recorded with regard to nutrient uptake by cotton. Conclusion: Foliar application of nano urea reduced the dosage of conventional nitrogen by 25 per cent. There was linear increase in seed cotton yield (kg ha-1) with increasing levels of nitrogen levels

Determination of Crop Water Requirement and Crop Coefficient at Different Growth Stages of Tomato by Using Weighing Type Lysimeter in Raichur Region

The water requirement for any cropping system is important consideration for designing and managing irrigation systems. Water requirement of crops varies substantially over the growing season mainly due to variation in crop cover and climatic conditions. For estimating crop water requirement of tomato crop, we have taken field experiment in weighing lysimeter for three seasons rabi - (7th September 2021 to 5th January 2022); Summer - (15th January 2022 to 15th May 2022) and Kharif - (6th June 2022 to 4th October 2022). The crop water requirement helps us to develop the crop coefficients for various growth stages (initial, development, mid and late season) for particular climatic conditions. Further, with exact crop coefficients derived from weighing type lysimeter will be helpful for determining water requirement. The results showed that the crop evapotranspiration (ETc) for initial, development, mid-season and late-season being 22.76, 110.71, 173.47 and 68.71 mm, respectively. With respect to crop coefficient (Kc), it is estimated to be 0.38, 0.64, 1.12 and 0.66 for initial, development, mid-season and late season stages, respectively during rabi season. The crop evapotranspiration (ETc) for initial, development, mid-season and late-season being 26.53, 164.76, 235.56 and 121.51 mm, respectively. With respect to crop coefficient (Kc), it is estimated to be 0.56, 0.87, 1.22 and 0.78 for initial, development, mid-season and late season stages, respectively during summer season. The crop evapotranspiration  (ETc) for initial, development, mid-season and late-season being 32.31, 131.38, 173.51 and 60.13 mm, respectively. With respect to Kc, it is estimated to be 0.36, 0.77, 1.13 and 0.74 for initial, development, mid-season and late season stages respectively during kharif season. The measured Kc values were significantly different from the FAO-56 reported values. Therefore, local calibration of crop coefficients is an essential for efficient irrigation water management and precise water applications

Significance of Weed Flora Identification and its Management on Bt Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) Growing Tract of Tungabhadra Command Area

Aims: To identify the weed species in Bt cotton under Tunga-bhadra project command area and to study the effect of sequential application of pre- emergent (PE) and post- emergent herbicides (PoE) on weed growth and to know the efficiency of different weed control practices on weed species. Study Design: The experiment was laid in RBD (Randomized Block Design). Place and Duration of Study: The experiment was conducted at ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra farm, UAS, Raichur situated in TBP command area during kharif season of 2018-19. Methodology: The design was RBD with 11 treatments and replicated thrice. Gross plot size of the field was 7.2 m × 4.8 m and net plot size was 5.4 m ×3.6 m with spacing of 90 x 30 cm. The certified seeds of Jadoo Bt II Cotton with the test weight of 6.5 g was used for sowing. The crop duration was around 6 month Results: Weed flora present in the Bt cotton field were identified and classified based on their morphology. It was divulged that; dicotyledonous weeds were dominant in cotton field. The sequential applications of metolachlor 50 % EC @ 1000 g a.i. ha-1 as PE fb pyrithiobac sodium 10 EC @ 125 g a.i. ha-1 as PoE @ 2-5 leaf stage of weeds fb Inter cultivation (IC) @ 60 DAS reported lower weed count and weed dry matter and reported the highest weed control efficiency (90.22 %) at harvest than the application of diuron 80 % WP as PE fb @ 1500 g a.i. and pendimethalin Pendimethalin 30 EC @ 1250 g a.i. ha-1 as PE followed by pyrithiobac sodium 10 EC @ 125 g a.i. ha-1 as PoE @ 2-5 leaf stage of weeds fb Inter cultivation (IC) @ 60 DAS. Conclusion:  Application of pre-emergent followed by post emergent herbicides control the early and later flush of weeds. It avoids the emergence of broad spectrum weed flushes and weed shift. Integrated herbicidal application along with intercultural operations was found better in keeping weeds under a threshold than following a single method

Effect of IFFCO Nanofertilizer on Growth, Grain Yield and Managing Turcicum Leaf Blight Disease in Maize

Nanoscience coupled with nanotechnology emerged as possible cost-cutting approach to prodigal farming and environmental clean-up operations. Hence there is a need for a more innovative fertilizer approach that can increase the productivity of agricultural systems and more environmental friendly than synthetic fertilizers. The trial was laid out in randomized complete block design with 11 treatments in three replications. The field experiment was carried out at Main Agricultural Research Station, University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur during Kharif seasons of 2019 and 2020. In this research, we studied the recent development and potential benefits derived from the use of nanofertilizers (NFs) in modern agriculture. Nanofertilizers facilitate slow and steady release of nutrients, thereby reduce the loss of nutrients and enhance the nutrient use efficiency. In the present study, the nanofertilizers such as IFFCO nanonitrogen (nano N), IFFCO nanocopper (nano Cu), IFFCO nanozinc (nano Zn) and IFFCO sagarika were sprayed to the maize crop in different combinations with recommended dose of fertilizers. Among the different combinations of nanofertilizers with recommended dose of fertilizers the treatment T11 [50% N, 100% PK, 0% Zinc + 2 sprays of IFFCO nano N (4ml/l) mixed with IFFCO Sagarika (2 ml/l)] showed significant effect on the growth and yield parameters with maximum yield of 58.90 q/ha and highest B:C of 2.99. Whereas, treatment T10 [50% N, 100% PK, 0% Zinc + 2 sprays of IFFCO nano N (4ml/l) mixed with nano Zn (2 ml/l) and IFFCO nano Cu (2ml/l)] was found superior with regard to management of Turcicum leaf blight disease with minimum of 18.20 per cent severity