Characteristics of Punjab's typic haplustept soil for the maize (Zea Mays L.)

Abstract

The experimental site was located at 31°14’ N latitude, 75°.41’ E longitude. During the kharif season 2022 and 2023, a field experiment was conducted at the Lovely Professional University's soil science research farm in Jalandhar, Punjab. It was done using a randomized block design and included 16 treatments, 3 replications. The nitrogen availability is one of the most significant constraints to crop growth, and the application of nitrogen through mineral and organic fertilizers plays a vital role in sustaining crop production, nitrogen application can play a significant role in improving soil fertility, Fertilization of nitrogen can increase grain yield and biomass in maize. The time of maximum nitrogen accumulation in maize development is dependent on available soil nitrogen when maize begins rapid vegetative growth. About one-half of total nitrogen uptakes by maize occur by the time maize biomass is about one-fourth of the maximum, maize nitrogen use efficiency is estimated globally to be 33 per cent, in part due to loss of fertilizer nitrogen from leaching below the root zone, denitrification, and soil and plant-derived volatilization. Although the application of nitrogen fertilizer can improve maize yield, excess nitrogen application due to low knowledge of the mechanisms of nitrogen use efficiency poses serious threats to environmental sustainability.