Effect of integration of chemical fertilizers with organic manures on growth, yield and nutrient uptake in hybrid maize (Zea mays L.) ​ ​

Abstract

Maize (Zea mays L.) becoming very popular cereal crop in India because of high production potential of hybrid varieties and it requires heavy doses of fertilizers. But the excessive and continuous use of chemical fertilizers has damaged the soil health, at the same time, the sole use of organic manure cannot compensate the produce obtained by inorganic application. Hence, it is important to reduce the usage of chemical fertilizers and supplementing the same through organic manures. Therefore, field experiment was conducted in Experimental Farm of Annamalai University during 2020 to evaluate the effect of different levels of inorganic fertilizers with different sources of organic manures on the growth, yield and nutrient uptake in hybrid maize. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with nine treatments viz., 100% recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF), 100% RDF + Seaweed granules @ 20 kg/ha, 100% RDF + Pressmud granules @ 125 kg/ha, 100% RDF + Poultry manure @ 2.5 t/ha, 100% RDF + Urban waste compost @ 10 t/ha, 75% RDF + Seaweed granules @ 20 kg/ha, 75% RDF + Pressmud granules @ 125 kg/ha, 75% RDF + Poultry manure @ 2.5 t/ha, 75% RDF + Urban waste compost @ 10 t/ha and replicated thrice. The results revealed that plant height, leaf area index, dry matter production, grain and stover yield and benefit : cost ratio were favourably influenced by the application of 100% RDF+Poultry manure @ 2.5 t/ha. In nutrient status, uptake of nitrogen and phosphorus was found to be significantly higher with application of 100% RDF+Poultry manure @ 2.5 t/ha, whereas potassium uptake was higher under application of 100% RDF+Pressmud granules @ 125 kg/ha. Thus, for achieving higher productivity, integrated application of 100% RDF with poultry manure @ 2.5 t/ha may be preferred to the hybrid maize cultivating farmers.