Studies on Effect of Foliar Applications on Productivity and Economics of Rainfed Crops on Farmers Field

Most of the part of the Marathwada region is comes under assured rainfall zone. The region receives mean annual rainfall of 880 mm. Rainfall in uncertain and erratic in this region and sometimes suffers from severe droughts. Major crops of the region are soybean, cotton and pigeon pea which grown on large area in Marathwada region of Maharashtra State and are being a preferred crops in Kharif season by the marginal and small rainfed farmers. The productivity of these crops particularly in Marathwada region is uncertain due to occurrence of frequent dryspells. Occurrence of 3 to 4 dryspells in July to September is a common feature of the region. The productivity of all crops decreases with either deficiency of rainfall and its distribution or due to moisture stress in critical growth period due to dryspells occurred in July and August. Participatory trials were conducted on farmers’ fields during 2019-20 to 2021-22 under the project “National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture” (NICRA) which is in operation at village Babhulgoan in Parbhani District in Marathwada region of Maharashtra. The rainfall data was collected from the nearest rain gauge station. The duration of dryspells and number of dryspells were recorded every year. Farmers were advocated to apply potassium nitrate as foliar spray on major crop The data on crop yield in both the field i.e. with foliar application of potassium nitrate and without its application were recorded. Accordingly, the additional per cent increase in yield was analyzed. This study clearly indicated the advantage of foliar application of KNO3 during the dryspell for higher yield of soybean, pigeon pea and cotton. The results hold promise for improvement in production potential of dryland crops which can be effectively make crops resilient towards recurring drought events.