Influence of graded levels of potassium on balance of NPK and potassium use efficiency of maize crop Srinivasa DK*, Chikkaramappa T, Divya M, Mahesh VN, Eresh Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru-560065, Karnataka, India *Email for correspondence: srinivasa.dk12@gmail.com
Online published on 25 July, 2018. Abstract The experiment was conducted to know the influence of application of graded levels of potassium on balance of major nutrients (NPK) and potassium use efficiency of maize crop at Zonal Agricultural Research Station, VC Farm, Mandya which comes under southern dry zone of Karnataka. The experiment was laid on sandy loam soil of Mandya with medium NPK levels consisting of nine treatments with three replications. Recommended doses of fertilizers (RDF) were applied at basal and top dressing with and without split application of 50, 100 and 125 per cent of RDF. Results revealed that the highest potassium use efficiency was recorded in treatment receiving recommended NP + 125 per cent of recommended K in two splits (basal and at the time of top dressing) and least K use efficiency was recorded at recommended NP + 75 per cent of recommended K as basal. Higher actual balance of nitrogen was recorded in treatment receiving recommended NP + 75 per cent of recommended K in two splits (basal and at the time of top dressing). Even with the same quantity of P application and high level of native P, the available P2O5 content after harvest of crops did not show positive balance. Positive balance of potassium was recorded due to higher levels of potassium application and enough amount of potassium in native soil. Significantly higher potassium uptake was recorded with the application of recommended NP + 125 per cent of recommended K in two splits (basal and at the time of top dressing) compared to other treatment combinations. Top Keywords Balance, NPK, potassium, efficiency, RDF, maize. Top |