Response of Maize (Zea mays L.) to Graded Doses of Nitrogen Under Varying Levels of Soil Salinity in Vertisol of Ghataprabha Command Area
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Date
2013
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UAS, Dharwad
Abstract
A field experiment was conducted to study the influence of graded doses of nitrogen
on maize under varying levels of soil salinity in Roogi village of Mudhol taluk during kharif
2012. The experiment comprised of four salinity levels and four nitrogen levels.
Growth parameters and yield attributing parameters were found significantly higher at
lower salinity level of < 2 dSm-1. Treatment receiving 225 kg N ha-1 had better growth over
the treatment receiving 150 kg N ha-1. Crop growth was not influenced by higher doses of
nitrogen under saline conditions (> 4 dSm-1). The highest crop yield of 8.31 t ha-1 was
observed under < 2 followed by 2-4 dSm-1. Application of increased level of nitrogen resulted
significant increase in yield. Application of 225 kg N ha-1 (6.74 t ha-1) recorded maximum
yield. Higher doses of nitrogen application under saline condition (> 4 dSm-1) did not
enhance the crop yield.
Reduction in NPK uptake was recorded with the increase in soil salinity. Application
of 225 kg N ha-1 recorded the maximum NPK uptake. The K/Na ratio decreased with
increasing salinity and the highest K/Na ratio of 50.0 was found at 225 kg ha-1 N application
under < 2 dSm-1 salinity. Available NPK content was maximum at salinity level < 2 dSm-1
and the lowest was at 6-8 dSm-1.
Increased soil salinity decreased grain protein content but starch content increased
with the increase in soil salinity. The highest protein content was recorded at salinity level <
2 dSm-1. Increased soil salinity registered decrease in the net returns. The higher net returns
and B:C ratio was obtained at salinity level < 2 dSm-1.