Nitrogen application based on decision support tools to enhance productivity, nutrient-use efficiency and quality of sweet corn (Zea mays)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59797/ija.v63i3.5657Keywords:
Agronomic efficiency, Light interception, N decision support tool, Sweet corn yieldAbstract
A field experiment was conducted during the winter (rabi) seasons of 2014 and 2015 at Raichur, Karnataka, to establish optimum thresholds of leaf colour chart (LCC), chlorophyll meter (SPAD) and normalized differential vegetation index (NDVI) to guide in-season crop need-based N fertilizer application. Treatment consisted of LCC thresholds 4 and 5, SPAD 40 and 50, NDVI thresholds 0.6 and 0.8 with 30 kg/ha N whenever N level fell below threshold, blanket N (150 kg N/ha) either 2 or 3 splits, half recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) basal + half to foliage as 2% urea at 30, 45 and 60 days after planting (DAP), and control (without N). Results revealed that LCC 5, SPAD 50 and NDVI 0.8 corresponding to 120 kg N/ha recorded higher sweet corn yield with or without husk cob, fresh grain quality and nutrient uptake over blanket 150 kg N/ha at fixed intervals. These decision support tools based N management helped to save N fertilizer 20 to 40 kg/ha besides improving agronomic efficiency of N.
References
Balasubramanian, V., Morales, A.C., Cruz, R.T., Thiyagarajan, T.M., Nagarajan, R., Babu, M., Abdulrachman, S., & Hai, L.H. (2000). Application of the chlorophyll meter (SPAD) technology for real-time N management in rice–A review. IRRI Notes, 251, 4–8.
Blackmer, T.M., & Schepers, J.S. (1995). Use of a chlorophyll meter to monitor nitrogen status and schedule fertigation for corn. Journal of Production Agriculture, 8(1), 56–60.
Kar, P.P., Barik, K.C., Mahapatra, P.K., Garmayak, L.M., Rath, B.S., Bastia, D.K., & Khanda, C.M. (2006). Effect of planting geometry and N on yield, economics and N uptake of sweet corn (Zea mays). Indian Journal of Agronomy, 51(1), 43–45.
Ladha, J.K., Pathak, H., Krupnik, T.J., Six, J., & Kessel, C.V. (2005). Efficiency of fertilizer nitrogen in cereal production: retrospects and prospects. Advances in Agronomy, 87, 85–156.
Moges, S.M., Raun, W.R., Girma, K., Freman, K.W., Zhang, H., Arnall, D.B., Tubana, B., Teal, R., Holtz, S.L., Walsh, O., & Chung, B. (2007). In-season estimation of grain sorghum yield potential using a handheld optical sensor. Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science, 53, 617–628.
Oktem, A. (2008). Effect of nitrogen on fresh ear yield and kernel protein content of sweet corn (Zea mays L. saccharata) under upper Mesopotamia region of Turkey. Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 78(1), 50–52.
Oktem, A., Oktem, A.G., & Emeklier, A.Y. (2010). Effect of nitrogen on yield and some quality parameters of sweet corn. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis, 41(7), 832–847.
Raja, V. (2001). Effect of N and plant population on yield and quality of super sweet corn (Zea mays L). Indian Journal of Agronomy, 46(2), 246–249.
Sahoo, S.C., & Mahapatra, P.K. (2007). Response of sweet corn (Zea mays) to plant population and fertility levels during rabi season. Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 77(11), 779–781.
Singh, V., Singh, B., Singh, Y., Thind, H.S., & Gupta, R.K. (2010). Need-based nitrogen management using the chlorophyll meter and leaf color chart in rice and wheat in South Asia: a review. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems, 88, 361–380.
Singh, V., Singh, Y., Singh, B., Thind, H.S., Kumar, A., & Monkia, V. (2011). Calibrating the leaf color chart for need-based fertilizer N management in different maize (Zea mays) genotypes. Field Crops Research, 120, 276–282.
Singh, V., Bhatnagar, A., & Singh, A.P. (2016). Evaluation of leaf color chart for need-based nitrogen management in maize (Zea mays) grown under irrigated condition in Mollisols. Indian Journal of Agronomy, 61(1), 47–52.
Taufik, M., Yusuff, M., Osumanu, H.A., Asrina, W., Muhamad, N., & Majid, A. (2007). Effect of organic and inorganic fertilizers on nitrogen and potassium uptake and yield of sweet corn grown on an acid soil. American Journal of Agriculture and Biology, 2(2), 118–122.
Teal, R.K., Tubana, B.S., Girma, K., Freeman, K.W., Arnall, D.B., Walsh, O., & Raun, W.R. (2006). In-season prediction of corn grain yield potential using normalized difference vegetation index. Agronomy Journal, 98, 1488–1494.
Umesh, M.R., Shankar, M.A., Manjunatha, N., & Jagadeesha, N. (2014). Influence of nutrient supply levels on yield, nutrient uptake, grain quality and economics of corn (Zea mays L.) in Alfisols of Karnataka. Indian Journal of Dryland Agriculture Research Development, 29(1), 73–78.
Yao, Y., Yuxin Miao, Qiang Cao, Hongye Wang, Martin L, Gnyp, Georg Bareth, Khosla, Rajiv, Wen Yang, Fengyan Liu, & Cheng Liu. (2014). In-season estimation of rice nitrogen status with an active crop canopy sensor. IEEE Journal, 7(11), 4403–4413.
