Impact of potassium levels and potassium solubilizing bacteria on yield and economics of maize in rabi season

Abstract

The field experiment was conducted during rabi season of 2021 to 2023 at main maize research station, Anand agricultural university, Godhra (Gujarat). The soil of the experiment plot was sandy loam in texture, nearly neutral in soil reaction (pH 7.5), low in organic carbon (0.40%), medium in available P (58.0 kg/ha) and high in available K (279.4 kg/ha). The treatments consisted of five Levels of K2O (K0: 0 kg K2O ha-1 (K1: 20 kg K2O ha-1, K2: 40 kg K2O ha-1, K3: 60 kg K2O ha-1 and K4: 80 kg K2O ha-1) with and without bio fertilizer (KMB seed treatment and soil application. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with ten treatments and was replicated thrice. Result defined that test weight of maize was significantly highest with application of 40 kg K2O ha-1, the grain yield, AV. P2O5 and AV. K2O were maximum observed when KMB (5 ml kg-1 seed at sowing + soil application of KMB @ 1 liter/ha after 30 DAS) was apply, highest content of K in straw of maize was found with application of 60 kg K2O/ha+ KMB (potassium mobilizing bacteria) 5 ml/kg seed and @ 1 liter ha-1. Seed treatment of KMB (5 ml/kg seed) and soil application of KMB (1 lit/ha) gave net realization (Rs. 1,40,898/ha) with higher BCR (4.96).