Evaluation of combination of organic sources for organic maize (Zea mays) production

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during the rainy (kharif) seasons of 2013, 2014 and 2015 on red sandy loam soil of Mandya, to study the effect of different organic manures on growth and yield of maize (Zea mays L.) under irrigated condition in Cauvery Command Area of Karnataka.The experiment was laid out in a randomized com- plete-block design with 3 replications. There were 11 treatments, comprising different levels of compost manure equivalent (75, 100 and 125 kg N/ha) with FYM @ 10 t/ha, beejamrutha and jeevamrutha. The results indicated that, application of 100% N equivalent compost + FYM @ 10 t/ha + beejamrutha + Jeevamrutha @ 500 liter/ha re- corded significantly higher grain yield (6.13 t/ha), stover yield (7.84 t/ha), cob length (15.10 cm), number of leaves per plant (12.77) and plant height (226.0 cm), which was closely followed by application of 100% N equivalent compost + beejamrutha + jeevamrutha @ 500 litres/ha and 125% N equivalent compost + beejamrutha + jeevamrutha @ 500 litres/ha. Soil chemical properties, viz. soil pH, organic carbon content and electric conductiv- ity, were not influenced by application of the organic manures. However, there was an increasing trend in the soil chemical properties compared to initial soil data. However, application of 100% N equivalent compost + FYM @ 10 t/ha + beejamrutha + jeevamrutha recorded significantly higher available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium content in the soil compared to the other treatments.