Effect of Potassium Solubilizing Bacteria (KSB) on the Performance of Sweet Corn (Zea mays L. saccharata) in Potassium Sufficient Soils of Semi-arid Tropic

An experiment was conducted on potassium sufficient sandy loam soil (Alfisols) to evaluate the impact of potassium solubilizing bacteria (KSB) on the performance of rabi sweet corn. The study consisted of 10 treatments with different doses of potassium with and without KSB treatment [Seed treatment (ST) + Soil drenching (SD) at Knee height (KH) stage]. Result of this experiment indicated that sweet corn yield was gradually reduced with reduction of recommended dose of potassium (RDK) irrespective of KSB treatment. Amongst all treatments, application of 100% RDK in 2 equal splits at sowing and KH stage + KSB (ST + SD) (T10) resulted in highest growth, yield (19.7 t ha-1) and yield attributes. However, T10 was on par with the result of [100% RDK + KSB (ST) + KSB (SD) at KH stage], (50% RDK at basal + 50% RDK at KH stage), [100% RDK+ KSB (ST) +KSB (SD) at KH stage] and [75% RDK at basal + KSB (ST) +KSB (SD) at KH stage] treatments. Whereas, implication of 25% or 50% reduction of RDK was significantly inferior to 100% RDK. The study revealed that KSB could substitute 25% of RDK supplied to nutrient exhaustive crop like rabi sweet corn without compromising the economic yield in potassium rich alfisols of semi-arid tropic

Assessing Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) Genotype Yields and Yield Traits with Different Planting Geometries on Broad Bed and Furrows

A field study on “Assessing Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) genotype yields and yield traits with different planting geometries on broad bed and furrows” was conducted during rabi season of 2022 in the experimental field at International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Hyderabad, Telangana. The experiment was laid out in factorial randomised block design with three replications. Total 16 treatment combinations consisted of four planting geometries (P1) 30 × 10 cm, (P2) 15:15 × 10 cm, (P3) 20:20 × 10 cm, (P4) 25:25 × 10 cm and four varieties (V1) Girnar 4, (V2) Girnar 5, (V3) Avtar, (V4) K6. The important findings emerged from this investigation found that groundnut sown at the spacing of (P4) 25:25 × 10 cm recorded significantly higher number of pods plant-1 (33.0), kernels pod-1 (2.0), test weight (38.7 g), shelling percentage (67.1%), pod yield (1792 kg ha-1) followed by (P3) 20:20 × 10 cm, (P4) 30 × 10 cm and (P2) 15:15 × 10 cm. The genotype V2 (Girnar 5) performed best in yield and yield contributing characteristics than other genotypes and it was on par with V1 (Girnar 4). Hence, our results concluded that (P4) 25:25 × 10 cm spacing, performing best with (V2) Girnar 5 and (V1) Girnar 4 varieties