Vol. 14 No. 1
Influence of balanced fertilization on productivity, economics and soil fertility of rice –rice (Oryza sativa L.) cropping system under southern deccan plateau of Telangana
Author(s): MD. L. PASHA, S. SRIDEVI, M. V. RAMANA, P. R. R. REDDY AND M. GOVERDHAN
Abstract: On farm studies were conducted during kharif and rabi seasons for four consecutive years from 2013-14 to 2016-17 in 24 farmer’s fields each year in unified Warangal district of Telangana state to study and demonstrate the influence of balanced fertilization on rice-rice cropping system. The seven treatments consists of control, recommended N alone, recommended N and P, recommended N and K, recommended N, P and K, recommended NPK+ ZnSO4 and farmers practice. Balanced application of recommended dose of NPK (120-60-40 kg ha-1) along with ZnSO4 (50 kg ha-1) to rice-rice cropping system recorded significantly higher mean grain (5.10 t ha-1 and 5.84 t ha-1) and straw yield (6.46 t ha-1 and 7.49 t ha-1 ) during both kharif and rabi seasons. Over the years, maximum System Rice Grain Equivalent yields (12.19 t ha-1), higher gross (Rs 1 64, 590 ha-1) and net returns (Rs 90,260 ha-1) were also recorded with recommended NPK+ ZnSO4. In addition to improvement in the fertility status of soil, higher sustainable yield index during both kharif (0.47) and rabi (0.71) seasons and per day system productivity (33.40 kg ha- 1day-1) were recorded with recommended dose of NPK+ ZnSO4