Influence of plant density and sowing methods on growth and soil nutrient dynamics in maize under Malwa Region

Abstract

The present investigation titled “Influence of Plant Density and Sowing Methods on Growth and Soil Nutrient Dynamics in Maize under Malwa Region”. The present experiment was conducted at Research Farm, under Mandsaur University, Mandsaur (Madhya Pradesh). Mandsaur (Madhya Pradesh) which is situated at latitude 240C 4’36.61’’N, longitude 7504’9.46’’ E and at an altitude of 442.16 meters above the mean sea level. The experiment involved two main plot treatments: B1 for flat bed sowing and B2 for raised bed sowing. There were four sub-plot treatments based on spacing: S1 for broadcasting, S2 for 30×25 cm spacing, S3 for 45×25 cm spacing, and S4 for 60×25 cm spacing. The treatment combinations were as follows: T1: Flat bed + Broadcasting (B1S1), T2: Flat bed + 30×25 cm spacing (B1S2), T3: Flat bed + 45×25 cm spacing (B1S3), T4: Flat bed + 60×25 cm spacing (B1S4), T5: Raised bed + Broadcasting (B2S1), T6: Raised bed + 30×25 cm spacing (B2S2), T7: Raised bed + 45×25 cm spacing (B2S3) andT8: Raised bed + 60×25 cm spacing (B2S4). There were eight treatments in total, and the experiment was conducted in 24 plots. The gross plot size 4.0 × 5.0 = 20 m2 and net plot size was 3.5 ×4.5 = 15.75 m2. The gross plot area was calculated to be 383 m2. The seed rate used for the experiment was 25 kg per hectare. Raised bed sowing consistently outperformed flat bed across most parameters, including plant height (55.23 cm, 50.15 cm at 30 DAS), plant gross weight (5.72kg/m² and 3.88 kg/m²), and cob yield (39.68 q/ha and 33.00 q/ha). Among spacing treatments, wider spacing of 60×25 cm recorded the highest gross weight (5.72 kg/m²) and nutrient availability (N: 285.5 kg/ha, P: 25.3 kg/ha, K: 236.4 kg/ha). The interaction of raised bed sowing with 60×25 cm spacing (B2S4) resulted in superior growth rate (RGR: 0.055 g g⁻¹ day⁻¹), highest gross weight (6.30 kg/m²), nutrient content (N: 292.5 kg/ha, P: 26.5 kg/ha, K: 242.0 kg/ha), and cob yield (42.1 q/ha). Test weight was highest in raised bed with 45×25 cm spacing (228 g) and lowest under flat bed with broadcasting (200 g). Raised bed sowing accelerated silking (60.11 days) compared to flat bed (62.32 days), with widest spacing (60×25 cm) further reducing time to 58.95 days. Soil quality improved under raised bed with lower EC (0.39 dS/m), slightly lower pH (7.12), and higher organic carbon (0.48%). Economically, the highest Benefit-Cost (B:C) ratio was observed under (1.94) T8 B2S4 (Raised bed + 60×25 cm spacing), indicating the best return on investment under the tested conditions. The study concludes that raised bed sowing combined with wider spacing B2S4 (Raised bed + 60×25 cm spacing) optimizes maize growth, yield, soil nutrient status, and profitability under Malwa agroclimatic conditions.