Effect of integrated phosphorus management on yield attributes of maize (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during the Kharif seasons of 2023 and 2024 at instructional Farm of Rajasthan Collage, MPUAT, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India to evaluate the effect of integrated phosphorus management on yield attributes of maize (Zea mays L.) grown on Typic Haplustepts. The experiment consisted of twelve treatments involving different combinations of recommended dose of phosphorus (RDP) through single super phosphate (SSP) and organic sources viz., farmyard manure (FYM), vermicompost (VC), enriched compost (EC) and poultry manure (PM). The treatments were laid out in a randomized block design with three replications. Yield attributes such as cob length, number of cobs per plant and number of grains per cob were recorded and pooled analysis was carried out. The results revealed that integrated application of phosphorus significantly improved all the yield attributes of maize compared to control and sole application of inorganic phosphorus. Among the treatments, application of 50% RDP through SSP + 25% RDP through vermicompost + 25% RDP through enriched compost recorded the maximum cob length (21.38 cm), number of cobs per plant (1.67) and grains per cob (309.53) in pooled data. These treatments were significantly superior to control and remained statistically at par with other integrated phosphorus management treatments. Improved yield attributes under integrated phosphorus management may be attributed to enhanced phosphorus availability, improved soil biological activity and better nutrient synchronization during crop yield. The study concludes that integrated use of inorganic and organic phosphorus sources is an effective strategy for improving yield of maize under Typic Haplustepts.