Effect of Different Moisture Conservation Methods and Nutrient Management Practices on Growth, Yield and Economics of Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.)

Aim: To determine the effect of moisture conservation methods and nutrient management practices on growth, yield and economics of safflower.

Study Design: Split plot.

Place and Duration of Study: Agricultural Research Station, Tandur, between November 2021 and March 2022.

Methodology: A field experiment was conducted at Agricultural Research Station, Tandur, Vikarabad (District) during rabi 2021-22 to assess the effect of different moisture conservation methods and nutrient management practices on growth, yield and economics of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) under rainfed condition. The experiment was assigned in twenty treatments, laid out in split plot design with three replications. Treatments included were 4 treatments of moisture conservation methods (i) M1 = Fallow in kharif fb safflower in rabi (ii) M2 = Greengram in kharif fb safflower in rabi (iii) M3 = Compartmental bunding in kharif fb safflower in rabi (iv) M4 = Barnyard millet in kharif fb safflower in rabi and 5 fertility levels (i) N1 = Control (No fertilizer) (ii) N2 = 50% RDF (iii) N3 = 75% RDF (iv) N4 = 100% RDF (v) N5 = 125% RDF randomly placed in sub plots of the main plot.

Results: Significantly higher grain yield (1402 kg ha-1), stover yield (3130 kg ha-1) was recorded under compartmental bunding in kharif fb safflower in rabi (M3). Similarly maximum grain yield (1565 kg ha-1), stover yield (3659 kg ha-1) was observed in 125% RDF (N5). The lower yield was recorded in M4 in moisture conservation practices whereas it was N1 (control) as in case of fertility levels. Exceptionally higher net returns was observed in M3 (Rs.53401) and N5 (Rs.61506).

Conclusion: Adoption of moisture conservation methods during kharif in semi arid regions impounds the rainwater effectively thereby providing more residual moisture for the upcoming rabi crop and enhances the crop yield.