Assessment of Planting Methods in Bidi Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) to Minimize the Effect of Water Logging under Rainfed Conditions in Vertisols of Andhra Pradesh

Abstract

A field experiment was undertaken at Regional Agriculture Research Station, Nandyal, Andhra Pradesh during 2017-18 on vertisols under rainfed condition to find out the suitable method of planting to avoid water logging for higher cured leaf yield in bidi tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.). The treatments consisted of two planting methods (Ridge method and flat bed method) as one factor and four planting geometry (60 cm x 50 cm, 60 cm x 75 cm, 75 cm x 50 cm and 75 cm x 75 cm) as another factor in factorial randomized block design and replicated thrice. The bidi tobacco variety used for experimentation is Nandyal Pogaku-1. Soil moisture was higher under ridge method when compared to flat method at all intervals except at 45 DAP. SPAD readings recorded do not show significant changes due to different treatments except variation in readings at different intervals. Ridge planting method recorded significantly higher leaf length (39.0 cm), leaf width (14.3 cm), cured leaf yield (1550 kg ha-1) against flat bed method planting (37.3 cm, 13.5 cm and 1359 kg ha-1). Significantly higher cured leaf yield was recorded with 60 cm x 75cm (1521 kg ha-1) was on par with 75 cm x 50 cm (1490 kg ha-1) and 75 cm x 75 cm (1423 kg ha-1). Higher leaf length 39.8 cm) and leaf width (15.0 cm) was observed at 75 x 75 cm planting. Interaction effect with planting method and spacing found non significant. Higher net returns was observed in ridge method (Rs 79,225/ ha) with BCR of 2.77 whereas planting at 60 cm x 75 cm geometry recorded net returns of Rs 78,405/ha with BCR of 2.81.