Performance of maize (Zea mays L.) under efficient nutrient management practices for sustainable crop productivity

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted to optimise the organic, inorganic and biofertiliser needs for sustained productivity of maize (Zea mays l.). Seven treatments comprising all possible combinations of chemical fertilizer, organic manure (vermicompost, FYM) with and without biofertilizer (Azospirillum and PSB) were laid out in randomized block design with three replications. Different nutrient management practices (organic, inorganic and combined sources of nutrients) significantly influenced the yield attributes, yield and economics of maize crop. Application of 100 % RDF (T1:180-60-50 kg N, P2O5 and K2O ha-1) resulted in significantly higher cob length, girth (17.7 cm, 16.8 cm), cob weight (225 g), no. of kernel rows cob-1 (12.9), no. of kernels row-1 (24.2), kernel weight cob-1 (5207 kg ha-1), kernel yield (5207 kg ha-1) and stover yield (6751 kg ha-1) which was significantly superior over the rest of the nutrient management practices and it was followed by 50% RDF + Vermicompost @ 1t ha-1 + Azospirillum @ 5 kg ha-1 + PSB @ 5 kg ha-1 (T7) and it has given a remarkable yield attributes, kernel (4683 kg ha-1) and stover yield (6394 kg ha-1) which is in turn in parity with 50% RDF + FYM @ 5 t ha-1 + Azospirillum @ 5 kg ha-1 +PSB @ 5 kg ha-1 (T6) and significantly superior to rest of the treatments. The highest net returns (₹ 59920 ha-1) and benefit - cost ratio (2.97) were recorded under 100% RDF (T1) followed by application of FYM @ 10 t ha-1 + Azospirillum @ 5 kg ha-1 + PSB @ 5 kg ha-1 (T6) which has registered a B:C ratio of 2.81 which might be due to comparatively better increase in yield with lesser cost over other treatments. Integration of biofertilizer (T6 and T7) has triggered the nutrient uptake mechanism and shown a notable performance in improving yield structures, yield and economics. Long run adoption of combined use of fertilizers and organics expected to match and even excel the sole fertilizer based production strategy.