Effect of integrated nitrogen management and planting geometry on growth and productivity of maize. (Zea mays L.) Var. SHIATS-Makka 3

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during the kharif season of 2017 on maize crop (var. SHIATS-Makka 3) at the Crop Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, Naini Agricultural Institute, SHUATS, Allahabad (U.P.). The experiment comprised of four integrated nitrogen management treatments, including 75% of the recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) to be provided through urea and 25% of the RDN to be provided through vermicompost or through Farm Yard Manure, with or without azotobactor seed inoculation and three spacings viz., 50 cm x 20 cm, 60 cm x 15 cm and 60 cm x 20 cm, which were compared with control (100% of the recommended dose of nitrogen only through urea alone, hence comprising of thirteen treatment combinations, laid out in Randomized Block Design and replicated thrice. The results showed that the plots with most narrow plant-plant spacing (60cm x 15 cm) showed higher plant average height (182.18 cm). Maximum plant dry weight at 60DAS (170.09 g) was recorded in plots of 75% RDN through Urea + 25% RDN through Vermicompost with the spacing of 60cm x 20cm. Also the same plot showed highest Test weight (258.5gm) as well as Grain yield (9.52t/ha). However the factor of seed inoculation with azotobacter showed little positive effect on the grain yield.