Yield components and nutrient accumulation in maize (Zea mays) under variable growing environments and chlorophyll meter-guided nitrogen fertilization

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during 201415 on sandy loam soil at ICARIndian Agricultural Research In- stitute, New Delhi, to study the effect of different growing environments and chlorophyll meter-based nitrogen (N)- management practices on yield components, yield and nutrient uptake in maize (Zea mays L.) cultivars. Maize hy- brid PEEHM 5 exhibited significantly larger yield attributes and higher grain yield than Pusa Composite 3 (PC 3), and earlier planting dates, 9 July and 24 July, depicted significant edge over later planting on 7 August. Chlo- rophyll meter-based N application up to silking (CMB), i.e. 30 kg/ha N basal + 30 kg/ha N top-dressed when soil- plant analysis development meter (SPAD) value falls to ? 37.5, increased the magnitude of all yield attributes and yield compared to soil-test-crop response based (STCRB)-N application. Grain N, P and K uptakes were 13.3, 30.7 and 11.8%, respectively, higher in PEEHM 5 than in PC 3. Similarly, CMB N application resulted in 17.2, 18.7 and 11.2% higher N, P and K uptake in grain and 9.3% greater grain yield compared to STCRB N. Overall, variety PEEHM 5 planted on 9 July and fertilized with N based on chlorophyll meter readings was a better option than the others with respect to yield attributes, yield and nutrient uptake in the north Indian plains.