Studies on INM in Maize (Zea Mays L.) in Upper Gangetic Plains Region

Abstract

Thesis Title: "Studies on INM in Maize (Zea mays L.) in Upper Gangetic J>Jains Region" Advisor: Dr. N. S. Rana C'onsidcring the effect of green revolution technologies in rice wheat system and prospects of maize cultivation, studies on INM in maize (Zea mays. L) in upper gangetic plains region were conducted on sandy loam soil, low in organic carbon and available N, medium available P and K with 9.1 kg S ha-1 , 0.82 g Zn ha-1 , 0.6 g B ha-1 and slightly alkaline in reaction during kharij'20 15 at SVPUAT, Meerut to observe the effect of nutrient management practices on growth, yield, quality, nutrient content and uptake, monetary returns and residual soil fertility. The treatments comprising of inorganic fertilizers, FYM, biofertilizers and micronutrients {Control, 100% NPK (150:60:40), 75% NPK + FYM@ 7.5 t, 100% NPK + Zn, 100% NPK + B, 100% NPK + S, I OOo/o NPK + Zn + B + S, 75% NPK + FYM @ 7.5 t + Zn + B + S, I 00% NPK +Azotobacter, 100% NPK + PSB, 100% NPK +Azotobacter + PSB and 75% NPK + FYM@ 7.5 t +Azotobacter + PSB} were tested in RBD with 3 replications. Maize hybrid Pioneer-3377 sown on 25th July 2015 were grown with recommended package except the treatments and harvested on 2211 d October 2015. Growth (Plant height, Number of functional leaves per plant, Leaf area index and Dry matter accumulation), yield attributes (Cob length, Number of grain rows per cob, Number of grains per row, Number of grains per cob, Grain weight per cob, Test weight etc.) and yield (Grain, Stover and Biological yield) were significantly affected by nutrient management practices irrespective of the nutrients there source and dose. Application of Zn, 8, S, Zn + B + S, Azotobacter, PSB, Azotobactor + PSB along with I 00% NPK favored growth, yield attributes and yield when compared with I OOo/o NPK. Respective increase in grain yield was 12.5, 7.3, 7.3, 13.5, 7.1, 6.1, 8.3 and 15.9% over lOOo/o NPK. Crop fertilized with 75o/o NPK + FYM @ 7.5 t + Zn + B + S registered best growth and consequently highest ( 48.8 q ha- 1 ) grain yield and attributes. Favorable effect of Zn by Lui et al. (1993), B by Hosseini et al. (2007) and S by Channabasamma et a/.(2013) on growth and yield of maize have also been obtained. Application of Zn, 8, S, Zn + B + S along with I OOo/o NPK led to an increase in nutrient content in plant tissues and therefore higher uptake of N, P, K, S, Zn and B. Contents of N" P, K, Zn and B in grains ranged from 1.23 to 1.74, 0.19 to 0.37, 0.25 to 0.44, 0.18 to 0.36 ~,o, 0.31 to 0.62 and 0.34 to 0.65 ppm, respectively, lowest being with no fertilizer and highest with 75o/o NPK + FYM c / 7.5 t + Zn + 8 + S. Respective ranges of uptake were 41.0-128.6 kg ha-1 (N), 8.5-32.0 kg ha- (P), 53.1-133.4 kg ha -J (K), 12.2-45 .I kg ha-1 (S), 19.2-90.4 g ha-1 (Zn) and 22.3- 90.4 g ha-1 (B). In general, grains accumulated more N and P than stover. A reverse pattern \Vas observed in respect of K, S, Zn and 8 having been higher in stover. Wu eta/. (2005) \vere also of the similar opinion. Crop cultivation \Vithout fertilizer application resulted in negative nutrient balance in soil whereas application of nutrients had a favorable effect on nutrient replenishment. Crop grown with 75% NPK + FYM @ 7.5 t + Zn + B + S fetched highest gross (, 85225 ha-1 ) and net returns (' 55730 ha-1 ) with highest B:C ratio (2.89) followed by I 00% NPK + Zn, 100% NPK +Azotobacter + PSB, 100% NPK +Azotobacter and 75o/o NPK + FYM@ 7.5 t. Jeet et a/. (2012) also obtained higher returns from n1aize with integrated and balanctid nutrient managen1ent.