Yield and microbial population of kharif maize as affected by in-situ incorporation green manures

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at the Agricultural College Farm, Bapatla, to study the effect of in-situ incorporation of dhaincha, sunnhemp and pillipesara green manure at 60, 45 and 30 DAS. Highest biomass production was recorded from 60 days aged dhaincha. There was a significant increase in microbial population when different green manures were incorporated and age of incorporation of green manures also had significant effect on microbial population per gram of soil as well as their interaction. Age of incorporation of green manure only had exerted significant differences in grain yield. Maximum grain yield was recorded when incorporated at 60 days (7871 kg/ha) which was significantly superior to 45 days (7030 kg/ha) and 30 day (6611 kg/ha) incorporation of green manures. The percentage increase in grain and stover yields due to 60, 45 and 30 days age of incorporation over control was 36.6%, 22.0%, 14.8 % and 22.7%, 15.5%, 10.8% respectively. Similarly a significant increase in organic carbon content was observed due to age of incorporation of green manures.