RESPONSE OF RABI MAIZE (Zea mays L.) TO DIFFERENT NITROGEN LEVELS AND PLANT POPULATION DENSITIES
Loading...
Files
Date
2009
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
ACHARYA N.G. RANGA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY, RAJENDRANAGAR, HYDERABAD
Abstract
An investigation on “Response of rabi maize (Zea mays L.) to
different nitrogen levels and plant population densities” was conducted during
rabi 2008-09 at Student’s Farm, College of Agriculture, Rajendranagar,
Hyderabad. The experiment was conducted on a sandy loam soil of medium
fertility with twelve treatments including the combination of three nitrogen
levels viz; 150(N1), 200(N2) and 250(N3) kg N ha-1 and four plant population
densities viz; 67(S1), 83(S2), 89(S3) and 111(S4) thousand plants ha-1 in Split
Plot Design with three replications.
Initial and final plant stand was not significantly affected by the
nitrogen levels. All the growth characters like plant height, number of
functional leaves, LAI, dry matter and yield attributes such as cob length, cob
girth, shelling percentage, 100 –grain weight, weight of cobs, grain yield,
stover yield, nitrogen uptake and protein content increased significantly with
increase in nitrogen levels from 150 to 250 kg ha-1 whereas days to silking
and physiological maturity decreased with increase in nitrogen levels.
Initial and final plant stand was significantly affected by the plant
population levels. The characters like plant height, LAI were more at higher
plant population whereas number of functional leaves, dry matter, cob length,
cob girth, shelling percentage, 100 –grain weight decreased with increase in
plant population density. Days to silking and physiological maturity were
delayed due to increase in population. Grain and stover yield was maximum
at the highest plant population level. Nitrogen uptake was maximum at
highest plant population densities whereas protein content was maximum at
lower plant population.
Gross returns, net returns and B:C ratio were significantly superior
from 250 kg N ha-1 with 1,11,000 plants ha-1 plant population density.
Application of 250 kg N ha-1 with plant population density of 1,11,000
plants ha-1 gave highest grain yield (7192.7 kg ha-1) and stover yield (12638.8
kg ha-1) compare than other treatment combinations.
Description
Keywords
RESPONSE, RABI, MAIZE, DIFFERENT, NITROGEN, LEVELS, PLANT, POPULATION, DENSITIES