Response of maize (Zea mays) hybrids to varying spacing and fertility levels grown during spring season

ASHU SHARMA; DILEEP KACHROO; R. PUNIYA; N.P. THAKUR

doi:10.59797/ija.v62i2.4286

Authors

ASHU SHARMA
DILEEP KACHROO
R. PUNIYA
N.P. THAKUR

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59797/ija.v62i2.4286

Keywords:

Fertility levels, Hybrid, Nutrient uptake, Row spacing, Spring maize, Yield

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during the spring season of 2013 at Chatha, Jammu, to study the response of maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids to varying spacing and fertility levels. The row spacing of 60 cm resulted in signifi- cantly higher grain yield, stover yield, heat-use efficiency (HUE), heliothermal-use efficiency (HTUE) and total NPK uptake by spring maize with higher net returns and benefit: cost ratio than row spacing of 70 cm. Among the . hybrids, PMH 1 exhibited significantly higher total NPK uptake of spring maize with concomitant significant in- crease of grain, stover yield and harvest index than JH 3459. However, the HUE and HTUE were significantly higher in JH 3459 than PMH 1. Hybrid PMH 1 also recorded higher net returns and benefit: cost ratio than JH 3459. Amongst the fertility levels, the application of N P K kg/ha resulted in the highest grain and stover 140 30.5 29.2 yields, nutrient uptake and soil-nutrient build up, which was statistically at par with N P K kg/ha and signifi- 120 26.20 25 cantly higher than N P K kg/ha and N P K kg/ha. The highest benefit: cost ratio was recorded with the 80 17.5 16.7 100 21.8 20.8 application of N P K kg/ha followed by N P K kg/ha. 120 26.2 25 140 30.6 29.2

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