Balanced Fertilization in Rice-maize Cropping System to Enhance Productivity, Economics and Soil Fertility Status in North Coastal Zone, Andhra Pradesh
M. M. V. Srinivasa Rao *
AICRP on Integrated Farming Systems, Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University, Agricultural Research Station, Vizianagram-535 001, Andhra Pradesh, India.
D. Nagarjuna
AICRP on Integrated Farming Systems, Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University, Agricultural Research Station, Vizianagram-535 001, Andhra Pradesh, India.
K. Tejeswar Rao
AICRP on Integrated Farming Systems, Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University, Agricultural Research Station, Vizianagram-535 001, Andhra Pradesh, India.
M. Srinivas
Regional Agricultural Research Station, Maruteru, Andhra Pradesh, India.
T. S. S. K. Patro
AICRP on Integrated Farming Systems, Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University, Agricultural Research Station, Vizianagram-535 001, Andhra Pradesh, India.
N. Ravisankar
ICAR-Indian Institute of Farming System Research, Modipuram, Meerut-250 110, Uttar Pradesh, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
A study was conducted in 24 farmers fields during both kharif, rabi seasons in two successive years i.e., 2017-18 and 2018-19 in Vizianagaram district, Andhra Pradesh to demonstrate the importance of optimal fertilizers schedule in rice-maize cropping system. The seven treatments consist of control, N, NP, NK, NPK, NPK+ ZnSO4 and farmer practice. The results revealed that yield and yield components showing significantly higher with optimal fertilizers schedule of NPK (80-60-50 kg ha-1) along with ZnSO4 (50 kgha-1) to rice and recommended dose of NPK (200-80-80 kg ha-1) to maize. NPK+Zn combination in Rice-Maize cropping sequence noticed statistically superior higher mean grain yield (5338kg ha-1 and 7286kg ha-1) and straw yield (7335kg ha-1 and 9065kg ha-1) during both kharif and rabi seasons. Highest Rice equivalent yield(8814kg ha-1), higher gross returns (Rs 1,13,173 ha-1) and net returns (Rs 75,647 ha-1) is fallowed same trend with balanced nutrition during both the years of study. Higher sustainable yield index (0.81) and system productivity per day (55.50 kg ha-1day-1) were noticed with recommended dose of NPK+ ZnSO4 besides enhanced soil fertility.
Keywords: Balanced fertilization, rice-maize cropping system, soil fertility, system equivalent yield, gross returns, net returns