Influence of potash management on yield and quality of rabi maize (Zea mays): Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) cropping sequence in middle Gujarat condition

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at College Agronomy Farm, B. A. College of Agriculture, Anand Agricultural University, Anand, Gujarat, India during rabi-summer seasons of the years 2019-20 and 2020-21 to study the effects of different sources of potash on yield and quality of rabi maize (Zea mays L.) and their residual effects on succeeding summer groundnut with different potash management practices viz; Control (Without potash fertilizers) , 30 kg K2O /ha through MOP or SOP or Schoenite with and without KMB @ 1 lit/ha, 45 kg K2O /ha through MOP or SOP or Schoenite with and without KMB @ 1 lit/ha and Foliar spray of Schoenite @ 1.5% at 30 and 60 DAS . The soil of the experimental plot was loamy sand in texture, marginal in organic carbon, and medium in available phosphorus and potash. Results revealed that 45 kg K2O /ha through MOP or SOP or Schoenite along with KMB @ 1 lit/ha recorded significantly higher grain (5,828 kg/ha) and strover yield (7683 kg/ha) as well as protein content (11.26%) and oil content (4.41%) in maize crop. In succeeding groundnut crop, residual effect of 45 kg K2O /ha through MOP or SOP or Schoenite along with KMB @ 1 lit/ha recorded higher pod (2656 kg/ha) and haulm yield (4510 kg/ha) along with oil content (52.58%) of crop.