Effect of nitrogen, boron and zinc as basal and foliar application on growth and yield of maize (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

The experiment consisted of two levels of Nitrogen at 120 and 150 kg ha-1, basal application of Boron (5 kg ha-1) and Zinc (25 kg ha-1), without and with combination of foliar application of Boron (0.3% at 15 DAS) and Zinc (0.25% at 30 DAS). There were 12 treatments which were replicated thrice and laid out in a Randomized Block Design. Higher plant height, maximum plant dry weight, crop growth rate, more number of cobs plant-1, more number of grains cob-1, test weight and grain yield was recorded with (Treatment 12) N at 150 kg ha-1 (along with P & K each at 75 & 60 kg ha-1) in combination with Zinc at 25 kg ha-1 as basal and Boron at 0.3% as foliar spray. This treatment also recorded highest gross return, net return and benefit cost ratio.