Influence of water soluble fertilizers on growth and yield parameters of hybrid maize ( Zea mays L.) under rainfed situation of southern transitional zone of Karnataka

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during Kharif 2014 at Agricultural and Horticultural Research Station, Bhavikere, UAHS, Shivamogga, on red clay loam soil which was low in available nitrogen, medium in available phosphorus and potassium. There were 11 treatment combination consisting of two different water soluble fertilizers along with Package of practice (viz., only RDF, 0.5 % 18:18:18, 1.0 % 18:18:18, 1.5 % 18:18:18, 0.5 % Multi-K, 1.0 % Multi-K, 1.5 % Multi-K, 1.0 % 18:18:18 + 0.5 % Multi-K, 1.0 % 18:18:18 + 1.0 % Multi-K and 1.0 % 18:18:18 + 1.5 % Multi-K). All water soluble fertilizer were given as foliar spray at two stages (30 DAS and 60 DAS) of crop growth and all the treatments received RDF as per the requirements.. The experiment was laid out in RCBD with three replications. The Package of Practice + 18:18:18 @ 1.0 % + Multi-K @1.5 % recorded significantly higher plant height (218.7 cm), leaf area (62.8 cm2 plant-1), total dry weight (335 g plant-1), cob length (18.5 cm), thousand grain weight (236 g), shelling percentage (82.9 %), number of grain per cob (435), grain rows per cob (12.9), grain weight per plant (179 g), Grain yield (83.99 q ha-1), stover yield (183.38 q ha-1) and harvest index (0.46) compared to other of treatments.