International Journal of Bio-resource and Stress Management
  • Year: 2022
  • Volume: 13
  • Issue: 10

Effect of drip fertigation of nitrogen, potassium and microbial consortium on growth, yield, water productivity and economics of Rabi maize (Zea mays l.)

  • Author:
  • A. Sai Kiran1,*, K. Avil Kumar1, M. Uma Devi2, B. Balaji Naik3, S. Triveni4
  • Total Page Count: 11
  • Page Number: 1029 to 1039

1Dept. of Agronomy, Water Technology Centre, College of Agriculture, Rajendranagar, Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, Hyderabad, Telangana, (500 030), India

2Dept. of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry Research, Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS), Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, Polasa, Jagtial, Telangana, (509 215), India

3Dept. of Agronomy, Agro-Climate Research Centre, ARI

4Dept. of Agricultural Microbiology and Bioenegry, Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, Telangana (500 030), India

*Corresponding appalasai38@gmail.com

Online published on 8 February, 2023.

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted on maize (Zea mays L.) during rabi (November to February), 2018-19 to study the effect of drip fertigation of Nitrogen (N), Potassium (K) and microbial consortium (MC) on growth, yield, water productivity and economics at Water Technology Centre, PJTSAU, Hyderabad, Telangana state, India. The experiment was laid out in randomised block design and replicated thrice. The treatments, comprising of two fertility levels viz., 75% and 100% recommended dose (RD) of N and K as first factor and biofertigation of Microbial Consortium (MC) as second factor. The interaction effect between RD of N and K and biofertigation of MC was not significant. Significantly higher LAI, DMP, grain yield and water productivity was recorded with fertigation of 100% RD N and K compared to 75% RD N and K. Biofertigation of MC 5 times and 3 times recorded significantly higher LAI, DMP, grain yield and water productivity. Net returns recorded with fertigation of 75% and 100% RD of N and K were not significantly different. Among biofertigation of MC, significantly higher net returns were observed in biofertigation of MC five times and was on par with biofertigation of MC three times. 75% RD of N and K recorded higher B:C ratio and was on par with 100% RD N and K in fertigation levels. Among biofertigation of MC, there was no significant difference in B:C ratio was observed between biofertigation of MC five times and three times and were significantly superior over soil application of MC.

Keywords

B:C ratio, Biofertigation, Dry matter production, Leaf area Index