Effect of Inorganic fertilizers and organic manure on soil properties and yield attributes of Maize (Zea mays L.) var. Ganga

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at the research farm in the ‘Central Research Farm, Sam Higginbottom Institute of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences’ during the kharif season to study the effect of inorganic fertilizers and organic manure on the soil properties, yield and growth attributes of maize. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design (RBD) comprising of 9 treatments and 3 replications of varying levels of FYM (0, 10, 20 t ha-1) and Zinc (0, 5, 10 kg ha-1). The application showed a significantly higher values in the soil properties, growth and yield attributes of maize. Maximum values and increased percentage were recorded in respect to the plant height, weight per cob, cob length, cob girth, grain yield and stover yield of 100.90 cm, 303.89 g, 18.81 cm, 18.45 cm, 4,494 kg ha-1, 5,111 kg ha-1 with T9 followed by T8, T7 and T6. The lowest values were recorded in the T1 with absolute control followed by T2 were only the NPK were applied. The soil samples were found to be slightly acidic in reaction, with medium organic carbon content, low available nitrogen, medium phosphorous level and zinc and high in available potassium. The studies proved the previous studies that the application of Zinc and FYM has a significant effect on the soil health enhancing its physical attributes and also supplying nutrients to the plants for their growth by increasing their availability in soil.