Effect of Moisture Conservation Practices and Efficient Zinc Management on Growth and Productivity of Kharif Maize (Zea Mays L.)

Abstract

A field experiment was carried out during kharif season of 2020 and 2021 at Crop Research Centre (main Campus) of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut (U.P.), India on Moisture Conservation Practices and Efficient Zinc Management in kharif Maize. The soil of experimental field was sandy loam in texture, alkaline in reaction, low in available nitrogen and organic carbon, medium in available phosphorus, potassium and zinc. The experiment was comprised of four moisture conservation practices (no mulch, wheat, mungbean and mustard straw mulch @ 5 t/ha) in main plots and four treatments of soil applied zinc (0, 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5 kg) in sub plots to maize. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three replications. The total amount of rainfall received during crop period was 361.3 mm and 581.7 mm during 2020 and 2021, respectively. The mean maximum weekly temperature ranged from 32.1 to 36.4 °C (August and September) and 32.0 to 42.3 °C (August-June) and minimum weekly temperature ranged between 16.1 to 27.1 °C (October to September) and 23.9 to 26.7 (July-June) during 2020 and 2021, respectively. Growth attributes, root parameters, yield attributes, yield, nutrient uptake, quality parameters, Zn use efficiency and soil moisture improved significantly with the application of mungbean straw mulch @ 5 t/ha and 7.5 kg zinc/ha (Z4). The next in order was mustard straw mulch @ 5 t/ha and soil applied zinc @ 5.0 kg (Z3) during

both the years. The

maximum grain, straw and biological yield

was registered in

mungbean straw mulch @ 5 t/ha followed by mustard straw mulch during both the years. Similarly, maximum gross returns (₹ 134192 and 137863/ha), net returns (₹ 91836 and 94977/ha) and B:C ratio (2.17 and 2.21) was recorded in mungbean straw mulch during first and second year, respectively. Zinc applied @ 7.5 kg/ha (Z4) had improved almost all the growth attributes, root parameters, yield attributes, yield, nutrient uptake, quality parameters and soil moisture. Moreover, 7.5 kg zinc/ha (Z4) as compared to control fetched ₹ 22838 and 21834 more net returns/ha during 2020 and 2021, respectively. Therefore on the basis of two year experiment action, application of mungbean or mustard straw mulch @ 5.0 t/ha along with basal application of zinc @ 5.0 to 7.5 kg/ha may be recommended for maximum yield and benefit cost ratio