AGRO TECHNIQUES FOR PRODUCTIVITY ENHANCEMENT OF FCV TOBACCO UNDER SOUTHERN LIGHT SOILS OF ANDHRA PRADESH

Abstract

An experiment was conducted (2007-2010) with three varieties (Siri, N-98 and Hema), three dates of planting (Sept 4th, October 2nd and Oct 3rd week) and three fertilizer levels (60-60-60; 80-60-70 and 100-60-80 NPK kg/ha) to find out best agrotechniques for improving productivity and quality of FCV tobacco. The results showed that yields were maximum with the variety Siri followed by N-98 and Hema. Variety Hema was out yielded by Siri and N-98 by 19.5 and 16.0% in Sept 4th planting, by 16.5 and 12.3% in October 2nd and by 8.5 and 7.0 % in October 3rd i.e., late planting, indicating early planting is one of the major requirements for Siri and N-98 under SLS of Prakasam and Nellore districts. The mean bright grade outturn was 57.0% in early plating, 56.1 % in middle planting and 52.2% in late planting. Yield differences due to treatments were significant in green leaf, cured leaf, bright leaf and grade index. Variety Siri and line N-98 were on a par and superior to Hema. Yields increased with increase in fertilizer levels, however differences between 80-60-70 and 100-60-80 NPK kg/ha were non-significant. Therefore, improvement in cured leaf yield can be achieved by adopting high yielding variety Siri or line N-98, early planting and with increase in fertilizer dose from the 60-60-60 kg NPK/ha to 80-60-70 kg NPK/ ha.