Optimization of Nitrogen Scheduling in Maize Cultivation (Zea Mays L.)

Abstract

Thesis Title: "Optimization of nitrogen scheduling ·1n ma1· ze cu It1' vah· on (Zea mays L.)" Name of Adviso1·: Dr. Adesh Singh A field experiment was conducted in during kharif season of 2014 at Crop Research Centre (Chirauri) of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut (U.P.) to optimize the nitrogen scheduling in maize cultivation · The so1'J of th e expen·m ent a 1 fi1 e ld was we1 1 drained, sandy loam in texture and slightly alkaline in reaction. It was medium in organic carbon, available phosphorus and available potassium but low in available nitrogen with an electrical conductivity (I :2, soil: water suspension) of 1.65 dS/m. Ten treatments comprised splitting of nitrogen as basal, at knee high and at tasseling stage in different proportions including control were tested in a randomized block design with 3 replications. The results indicated that the growth parameters (plant height, plant spread and dry matter accumulation), yields (grain, stover and biological) per ha am! uptake of nitrogen in maize were significantly superior with the application of25% basal+50% at knee high+25% at tasseling stage (T4) as compared to rest of the treatments, except T10 (three equal splits as basal, at knee high and at tasseling stage).However, T4 treatment gave 16.3 and 15.8 per cent more grains and stover yields/ha than T5 (50% basal+25% at knee high+25% at tasseling stage), the existing recommendation of nitrogen. This treatment produces 22.8 and 8.7 q/ha more biological yield than Ts (50% basal+25% at knee high+25% at tasseling stage) and T10 treatments, respectively. However, crop growth rate (g/day/m2) between 30 to 60 days in T4, T2 and T10 treatments was statistically at par. The maize also accumulated significantly higher nitrogen in grains, stover as well as total ( 115.44 kg/ha, 73.65 kg/ha and 189.1 kg/ha, respectively) in T4 as compared to all the treatments, except T 10 • Besides, partial factor productivity, agronomic and recovery efficiency in T4 improve by 16.2, 24.2 and 33.0 per cent, respectively as compared toTs (existing recommended N schedule). The split application of nitrogen as 25% basal+50% at knee high+25% at tasseling stage (T4) brought Rs 106840, Rs 78440/ha and 2. 76 as gross, net returns and B:C ratio respectively, being highest among all the treatments followed by application of nitrogen in three equal splits