Optimization of nitrogenous fertilizers using leaf-colour chart for irrigated hybrid maize (Zea mays) grown in Vertisol of sub-tropical India

M.R. UMESH; M.A. BASAVANNEPPA; SHIVAKUMAR; MALLESH; B.M. CHITTAPUR; M.Y. AJAYAKUMAR; B.K. DESAI; N. ANANDA

doi:10.59797/ija.v65i1.2952

Authors

M.R. UMESH
M.A. BASAVANNEPPA
SHIVAKUMAR
MALLESH
B.M. CHITTAPUR
M.Y. AJAYAKUMAR
B.K. DESAI
N. ANANDA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59797/ija.v65i1.2952

Keywords:

Leaf colour chart, LCC thresholds, Maize, Nitrogen-use efficiency, Vertisols

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at Raichur, Karnataka, India, during the rainy seasons of 2016 and 2017, to study the response of hybrid maize leaf-colour chart (LCC) to N and evaluate threshold to enhance crop yields, N- use efficiency (NUE) by altering splits as per crop need guided by LCC. Treatments included LCC thresholds of 1, 2, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5 and 6 compared with fixed splits at definite growth stages and absolute control. Application of 30 kg N/ha, whenever greenness of first fully opened leaf from the top was less than shade of the thresholds on the LCC. Hybrid maize showed significant response to application of N up to 120 kg N/ha in 3 equal split doses. Be- yond this level, fertilizer NUE was significantly reduced. The LCC < 5 proved better than other LCC shades for guiding real-time N management and achieving higher NUE. Application of 80110 kg N/ha using threshold LCC < 4.5 inclusive of 62.5 kg N/ha basal resulted in higher grain yield of maize which was at par with the application of 150 kg N/ha applied in 3 equal split doses.

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