Srinivasa Rao M.M.V., Nagarjuna D., Tejeswara Rao K., Patro T.S.S.K. and Ravisankar N.
Abstract
On farm studies were conducted during kharif and rabi seasons for two consecutive years from 2019-20 to2020-21 in 24 farmers fields each year in Vizianagaram district of Andhra Pradesh state to study anddemonstrate the importance of balanced fertilization on rice-maize cropping system. The seven treatmentsconsists of control, recommended N alone, recommended N and P, recommended N and K, recommended, P and K, recommended NPK+ ZnSO4 and farmerâs practice. Balanced application of recommended doseof NPK (80-60-50 kg ha-1) along with ZnSO4 (50 kg ha-1) to rice and recommended dose of NPK (200-80-80kg ha-1) to maize in rice-maize cropping system recorded significantly higher mean grain (5287 kg ha-1 and7172 kg ha-1) and straw yield (7389 kg ha-1 and 9284 kg ha-1) during both kharif and rabi seasons. Over theyears, maximum System Rice Grain Equivalent yields (8676 kg ha-1), higher gross (Rs 2,16,611 ha-1) and netreturns (Rs 1,36,579 ha-1). In addition to improvement in the fertility status of soil, higher sustainable yieldindex (1.07) and per day system productivity (54.76 kg ha-1day-1) were recorded with recommended dose ofNPK+ ZnSO4.