Influence of spatial arrangement and nitrogen scheduling on crude protein content and uptake of nitrogen in maize (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted at Department of Agronomy of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore to study the effect of spatial arrangement and nitrogen scheduling on N uptake and crude protein content in maize. The experiments were laid out in split plot design and replicated thrice. The following spatial arrangements viz., 60 x 25, 30 x 30, 35 x 35, 40 x 40, 45 x 45 and 50 x 50 cm were alloted to main plots. Three nitrogen scheduling approaches were assigned to sub plots. Growth stage based N scheduling approaches were compared with Leaf Colour Chart based (LCC) N management. Based on the experimental results, N uptake was higher under 30 x 30 cm arrangement throughout growth stage and reached maximum at 90 DAS ( 290.2 and 307.9 kg ha-1). Among N schedling approaches, LCC based N scheduling removed more N (261.6 and 284.2 kg ha) at 90 DAS than conventional approach. Similarly LCC based N management resulted more crude protein (7.68%) content in maize.