Vol. 12, Issue 8 (2023)

Author(s):
Katta Sreevandana, M Ravindra Babu, B Ramesh Babu and P Subbaramamma

Abstract:
The present investigation “Studies on the influence of combined application of liquid biofertilizers and inorganic fertilizers on growth and yield of water melon (Citrullus lanatus T.)” was laid out in mixed factorial randomized block design with two factors and three replications comprising twelve treatment combinations at Horticultural Research Station, Venkataramannagudem, West Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh during Rabi, 2019-2020. The first factor comprise of four levels of liquid biofertilizers (without biofertilizers, application of liquid biofertilizers (Nitrogen fixing bacteria + Phosphate solubilizing bacteria + Potassium solubilizing bacteria) 100% at the time of transplanting, application of liquid biofertilizers (NFB+PSB+KSB) 50% at the time of transplanting and 50% at 15 days after transplanting, application of liquid biofertilizers (NFB+PSB+KSB) 10% at nursery + 40% at the time of transplanting and 50% at 15 days after transplanting and the second factor comprise of three levels of recommended dose of inorganic NPK fertilizers (100%, 80% and 60% of RDF). The results indicated that the application of liquid biofertilizers (NFB+PSB+KSB) 10% at nursery + 40% at the time of transplanting and 50% at 15 days after transplanting in combination with 100% RDF recorded significant increase in terms of growth parameters viz., vine length (107.89 cm, 227.56 cm, 396.11 cm and 424.00 cm), leaf area (109.82 cm², 240.01 cm², 326.57 cm² and 347.67 cm²) at 20, 40, 60 DAT and at final harvest respectively, yield parameters viz., average fruit weight (3.64 kg), fruit yield per plant (4.05 kg), fruit yield per hectare (67.44 t/ha) which were on par with 10% liquid biofertilizers in the nursery + 40% at the time of transplanting and 50% at 15 days after transplanting + 80% of RDF.