Vol. 9, Issue 2, Part E (2025)

The present investigation entitled “Influence of method, types and rate of manure application on maize productivity and soil health under rainfed conditions of Karnataka” was carried out at Zonal Agricultural Research Station, GKVK, Bengaluru, Karnataka during Kharif 2022 and 2023. There are 18 treatment combinations each replicated thrice in split-split plot design. Treatments consisted of two methods of manuring (M₁-Surface manuring, M₂-Subsurface manuring) as main plots, three types of composts (C₁-Farm compost, C₂-City compost, C₃-Blended compost) as sub plots and three rates of manure application (D₁-125% RDM, D₂-100% RDM and D₃-75% RDM) as sub-sub plots. The result revealed that treatment combination subsurface manuring with blended compost at 125% RDM (M₂C₃D₁) recorded significantly higher higher grain yield (10.61 t ha^-1) and stover yield (19.19 t ha^-1) and was on par with subsurface manuring with blended compost at 100% RDM (M₂C₃D₂). Similarly, available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium was also significantly higher in subsurface manuring with blended compost at 125% RDM (M₂C₃D₁) (281, 155 and 161 kg ha^-1, respectively) and was on par with subsurface manuring with blended compost at 100% RDM (M₂C₃D₂). The lowest was recorded in absolute control treatment. The two-year study underscored the importance of optimized compost application and manuring practices in enhancing maize productivity and sustaining the soil health.