Effect of front-line demonstrations on foliar nutrition in enhancing cotton yield in Kalaburagi district, Karnataka, India

Abstract:

Cotton is a vital cash crop in India, contributing significantly to the Indian agricultural economy. However, its productivity is often limited by the non-adoption of recommended fertilizer doses and application schedules. To address this issue, Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Kalaburagi-II (Raddewadagi), UAS Raichur, conducted frontline demonstrations (FLDs) on foliar nutrient management in the Kalaburagi district of Karnataka.
These demonstrations were carried out during the Kharif seasons of 2023-24 and 2024-25 at selected farmers' fields in villages such as Ullandigera, Ladlapura, Sonna, Kallahangarga and Wasthare villages of Kalaburagi district.
The FLD plots employed a balanced nutrient management approach based on university package of practice incorporating major and micronutrients. Farmers applied the recommended fertilizer dose of 100:50:50 NPK kg/ha along with MgSO₄ + 19:19:19 @ 1% spray each and two time spraying of Potassium nitrate @ 1% and EDTA Zn, Fe and Mn @ 0.5%.
This resulted in a significantly higher average seed cotton yield of 22.55 q/ha compared to 19.85 q/ha under traditional practices (150:25:25 NPK kg/ha). The FLD plots recorded a 12.00% yield increase over farmers' practices.
Despite this improvement, a mean technological gap of 7.44 q/ha, an extension gap of 2.70 q/ha, and a technology index of 24.78%.