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The hot and semi-arid region is prone to meteorological droughts; the lack of rain is frequently accompanied by hot temperatures, strong winds, and low humidity, which has the impact of limiting nutrient uptake and agricultural yields. To overcome this problem a field study conducted during June, 2020 kharif season at farmers field, Chinna Dudyala village, Muddanur, Kadapa district, Andhra Pradesh aimed to determine the effect of organic mulches and foliar spray of kaolin on NPK uptake in enhancing yield and economics of dry land maize (Zea mays). One of the most important techniques for preserving soil moisture was mulching, which also reduces evapotranspiration when anti-transpirants are used. The experiment comprised nine treatments (T1 to T9) with four types of organic mulches viz., Paddy straw, Ground-nut haulm, Coir-pith, and Sugarcane trash, with foliar spray of kaolin intervals on 40 DAS, 20 & 40 DAS and farmers practice to minimize water stress and improve the nutrient uptake by plant. Among the application of the treatments, coir-pith mulch + foliar spray of kaolin @ 3.0% (T6) on 20 DAS & 40 DAS had significant effect on NPK uptake with N (187.15 kg ha-1), P (69.60 kg ha-1) and K (156.22 kg ha-1) and enhanced grain yield (6976 kg ha-1) and stover yield (10980 kg ha-1), highest gross returns (138034 ₹. ha-1) and BCR (2.63) and was superior to all the other treatments. The present study would help to effectively utilise the available resources, enhance growth and productivity in maize crop and to make economically viable to the farmers of semi-arid regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study area is warm, semi-arid and is highly variable with droughts and irregular occurrences of above average rainfall resulting in water scarcity thus leading to ground water stress and less soil organic matter which is a major constraint for agriculture. To mitigate this, a field experiment was carried out during kharif June 2020 at farmers' field of Chinna Dudyala village, Muddanur, Kadapa district, Andhra Pradesh to evaluate the effect of organic mulches and kaolin clay foliar spray in dry land maize. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design consisting of nine treatments and three replications, viz. T1-Paddy straw mulch+Kaolin clay foliar spray @ 3.0% on 40 DAS, T2-Paddy straw mulch+Kaolin clay foliar spray @ 3.0% on 20 and 40 DAS, T3- Groundnut haulm mulch+Kaolin clay foliar spray @ 3.0% on 40 DAS, T4-Groundnut haulm mulch+Kaolin clay foliar spray @ 3.0% on 20 and 40 DAS, T5-Coir-pith mulch+Kaolin clay foliar spray @ 3.0% on 40 DAS, T6-Coir-pith mulch+Kaolin clay foliar spray @ 3.0% on 20 and 40 DAS, T7-Sugarcane trash mulch+Kaolin clay foliar spray @ 3.0% on 40 DAS, T8- Sugar cane trash mulch+Kaolin clay foliar spray @ 3.0% on 20 and 40 DAS and T9- Farmer's practice (No mulch). Among the different treatments, the growth parameters, yield attributes and yield were favourably influenced with the application of Coir-pith mulch+Kaolin clay foliar spray @ 3.0% on 20 and 40 DAS. These results proved that application of Coir-pith mulch+Kaolin clay foliar spray @ 3.0% on 20 and 40 DAS enhanced the soil physical condition and provided sustainable crop growth and productivity of maize. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]