Influence of FYM, vermicompost, inorganic and nano-Zn nutrient management on growth, yield, and quality of kharif maize (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during Kharif session 2024 to study the impact of organic manure and nutrient management on the growth and yield of hybrid maize (DKC-9144). The experiment followed a factorial randomized block design with 21 treatment combinations, replicated thrice. Treatments included three organic manure levels: control, FYM at 10 t ha⁻¹, and vermicompost at 5 t ha⁻¹, along with seven nutrient management practices: control, 75% RDF, 75% RDF + ZnSO₄, 75% RDF + Nano-Zinc, 100% RDF, 100% RDF + ZnSO₄, and 100% RDF + Nano-Zinc. Results showed that the highest maize grain yield (68.09 q ha⁻¹) was achieved with vermicompost at 5 t ha⁻¹, marking a 16.20% yield increase over the control, followed by FYM at 10 t ha⁻¹ (66.12 q ha⁻¹). Among nutrient practices, 100% RDF + Nano-Zinc produced the highest yield. The best benefit-cost (B:C) ratio among manure treatments was recorded in the control (3.08), while among nutrient treatments, the highest B:C ratio (3.00) was obtained from both 100% RDF + Nano-Zinc and 100% RDF. Overall, the combination of vermicompost and 100% RDF + Nano-Zinc was most effective in enhancing yield and profitability of hybrid maize.