The requirement of nitrogen, the major soil-nutrient supplement, in the paddy growing areas of Andhra Pradesh has increased by about 33 % in Krishna Delta soils during the last seven years, between 2010-11 and 2017-18, while it remained unchanged in Telangana during the same period.
This change in fertility was admitted by AP’s witness P.V. Satyanarayana, an agriculture scientist, before Brijesh Kumar Tribunal at New Delhi on Monday during the hearing on the issue of sharing Krishna waters by the two Telugu States.
As part of Mr. Satyanarayana’s continued cross-examination, commenced during the hearing held last month, senior advocate appearing for Telangana V. Ravinder Rao probed him extensively on the suitability of soils for growing paddy in Telangana compared to AP along with the types of soils and climatic zones.
He, however, attributed the increase in nitrogen requirement in AP to several factors including varieties of paddy grown at present.
Mr. Satyanarayana was probed on the issue following a statement in his affidavit filed before the Tribunal that 50% to 60% additional nitrogen is recommended for paddy growing areas in the Krishna Basin in Telangana compared to AP.
Later, he admitted that the difference had come down to 40% in Telangana from 2010-11 to 2017-18.
He explained that the nitrogen requirement in Krishna Delta had increased to 32-36 kg per acre in 2017-18 from 24-32 kg per acre in 2010-11, while it remained the same in Telangana at 40-48 kg per acre in the Krishna Basin areas, South Telangana zone, during the period.
He also stated that requirement of nutrients such as phosphor and potassium were more or less the same for Krishna Delta and Krishna Basin areas in Telangana.
The AP’s witness submitted that marked difference exists in the realised average paddy yields between Krishna Delta and South Telangana.
He denied the argument of Telangana’s counsel that Telangana Sona variety of paddy with shorter duration and fine quality had replaced BPT-5204 variety up to 90% in Telangana.
Further, he stated that nearly 60% of soils in erstwhile Nalgonda district are “moderately or marginally” suitable for paddy cultivation and they give 60% to 80% of potential yield as against 80% in Krishna Delta.
The Tribunal took to documents prepared by the National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Utilisation Planning on “manual soil site suitability for major crops” and “field guide for soil survey” on behalf of Telangana. Chief Engineer (Inter State Water Resources) of Telangana S. Narasimha Rao was present during the hearing.
