Effect of Potassium Solubilizing Bacteria (KSB) on the Performance of Sweet Corn (Zea mays L. saccharata) in Potassium Sufficient Soils of Semi-arid Tropic

Santanu Kundu *

Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad-030, Telangana, India.

Kasbe Sudhanshu Sudhakar

Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad-030, Telangana, India.

P. Laxminarayana

Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad-030, Telangana, India.

Kiran Reddy Gade

AICRP on Integrated Farming System, Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad-030, Telangana, India.

*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.


Abstract

An experiment was conducted on potassium sufficient sandy loam soil (Alfisols) to evaluate the impact of potassium solubilizing bacteria (KSB) on the performance of rabi sweet corn. The study consisted of 10 treatments with different doses of potassium with and without KSB treatment [Seed treatment (ST) + Soil drenching (SD) at Knee height (KH) stage]. Result of this experiment indicated that sweet corn yield was gradually reduced with reduction of recommended dose of potassium (RDK) irrespective of KSB treatment. Amongst all treatments, application of 100% RDK in 2 equal splits at sowing and KH stage + KSB (ST + SD) (T10) resulted in highest growth, yield (19.7 t ha-1) and yield attributes. However, T10 was on par with the result of [100% RDK + KSB (ST) + KSB (SD) at KH stage], (50% RDK at basal + 50% RDK at KH stage), [100% RDK+ KSB (ST) +KSB (SD) at KH stage] and [75% RDK at basal + KSB (ST) +KSB (SD) at KH stage] treatments. Whereas, implication of 25% or 50% reduction of RDK was significantly inferior to 100% RDK. The study revealed that KSB could substitute 25% of RDK supplied to nutrient exhaustive crop like rabi sweet corn without compromising the economic yield in potassium rich alfisols of semi-arid tropic.

Keywords: Integrated nutrient management, potassic fertilizer, K- split application, Telangana


How to Cite

Kundu , Santanu, Kasbe Sudhanshu Sudhakar, P. Laxminarayana, and Kiran Reddy Gade. 2023. “Effect of Potassium Solubilizing Bacteria (KSB) on the Performance of Sweet Corn (Zea Mays L. Saccharata) in Potassium Sufficient Soils of Semi-Arid Tropic”. International Journal of Environment and Climate Change 13 (10):3031-38. https://doi.org/10.9734/ijecc/2023/v13i102971.