RESPONSE OF MAIZE (ZEAMAYS L.) HYBRIDS FOR FODDER AND GRAIN YIELD IN DIFFERENT SPACING AND FERTILITY LEVELS
IN KHARIF SEASON
R. A. GAMI*,A. M. PATEL, J. M.PATEL AND S. M.CHAUDHARY
*Sorghum Research Station, S.D.Agricultural University, Deesa-385 535 (Gujarat)
Ex-Director of Research, S.D.Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar (Gujarat)
Wheat Research Station, S.D.Agricultural University, Vijapur (Gujarat)
Agricultural Research Station, S. D. Agricultural University, Kothara (katch Gujarat)
*(e-mail : ramangami@gmail.com)
(Received : 16 July 2019; Accepted : 10 August 2019)
SUMMARY
A field experiment entitled “Response of hybrid maize to spacing and fertility management” was conducted at Maize Research Station, S. D. Agriculture University, Bhiloda (Gujarat) for three kharif seasons (2014-2017) in loamy sand soil. The experiment laid out in split plot design comprised of two main and one sub-factor treatments arrangement with three replications. Between two varieties, V1 (CO 6) produced significantly higher grain and fodder yield as compared to variety V2 (HQPM1) in all the years and also in pooled analysis. In pooled data, variety V1 (CO 6) produced 5842 and 9865 kg/ha grain and fodder yield, respectively. Application of every higher levels of fertilizer resulted in significantly higher grain and fodder yield during first and second year and pooled data as well. However, during third year, treatment F3 (180: 90: 00, N: P: K kg/ha) produced significantly higher grain and fodder yield over its lower levels of fertilizer i.e. F1 (120: 60: 00, N: P: K kg/ha) and F2 (150: 75: 00, N: P: K kg/ha) which were at par in their effect. The hybrid maize (CO-6) gave higher grain and fodder yield and net return, under spacing of 60 cm × 20 cm (83,333 plants per ha) and with fertilizer dose of 180:90:00 NPK/ha, when nitrogen applied in four splits i.e., at basal (20%), four leaf stage (30%), eight leaf stage (40%) and tasseling stage (10%) where as P2 O5 was applied as basal) during kharif season.
Key words:Maize, spacing, fertilizer levels, grain and fodder yield