EFFECT OF PLANTING DATES AND SEED RATES ON PERFORMANCE OF FODDER MAIZE (ZEA MAYS) UNDER RAINFED CONDITION OF MANIPUR
R. JOSEPH KOIRENG*, ANSAR-UL-HAQ, N. RAKESH SINGH AND KH. PRIYA DEVI
Directorate of Research
Central Agricultural University,
Imphal-795 004 (Manipur), India
*(e-mail : josephkoireng@rediffmail.com)
(Received : 2 November 2017; Accepted : 5 March 2018)
SUMMARY
In order to study the effect of sowing date and seed rate on morphological traits and forage yield. An experiment was carried out in the Experimental Research Farm, Andro, Central Agricultural University, Imphal during kharif season of 2012, 2013 and 2014, based on a Factoral Randomized Block design with three replications. The treatments consist of three different date of sowing (26th May, 4th June, and 14th June) and seed rate (40 kg/ha, 60 kg/ha and 80 kg/ha); and the combination of both. The results showed that delay in sowing from May 26th decreased significantly in green fodder yield, dry matter yield, crude protein yield and plant height respectively. With increasing seed rate from 40 to 80 kg/ha, dry matter yield and crude protein yield decreased, but plant height increased. According to the results, the treatment of sowing date of May 26 with seed rate of 60 kg /ha recommended for the cultivation of forage maize under the rainfed condition of Manipur.
Key words: Forage maize, rainfed, seed rate, sowing date, yield