Balanced Fertilization in Rice-maize Cropping System to Enhance Productivity, Economics and Soil Fertility Status in North Coastal Zone, Andhra Pradesh

A study was conducted in 24 farmers fields during both kharif, rabi seasons in two successive years i.e., 2017-18 and 2018-19 in Vizianagaram district, Andhra Pradesh to demonstrate the importance of optimal fertilizers schedule in rice-maize cropping system. The seven treatments consist of control, N, NP, NK, NPK, NPK+ ZnSO4 and farmer practice. The results revealed that yield and yield components showing significantly higher with optimal fertilizers schedule of NPK (80-60-50 kg ha-1) along with ZnSO4 (50 kgha-1) to rice and recommended dose of NPK (200-80-80 kg ha-1) to maize. NPK+Zn combination in Rice-Maize cropping sequence noticed statistically superior higher mean grain yield (5338kg ha-1 and 7286kg ha-1) and straw yield (7335kg ha-1 and 9065kg ha-1) during both kharif and rabi seasons. Highest Rice equivalent yield(8814kg ha-1), higher gross returns (Rs 1,13,173 ha-1) and net returns (Rs 75,647 ha-1) is fallowed same trend with balanced nutrition during both the years of study. Higher sustainable yield index (0.81) and system productivity per day (55.50 kg ha-1day-1) were noticed with recommended dose of NPK+ ZnSO4 besides enhanced soil fertility.