Effect of Nitrogen Sources, doses and Split applications on yield and economics of maize (Zea mays L.) in the Malwa region of Madhya Pradesh (India)

Abstract

Maize is a important crop for food, feed and industrial utilization and grown in 7.8 M ha land with 14.05 M tones of production and 1885 kg/ha productivity in India. But its productivity is very low in Madhya Pradesh and India due to wide range of production constraints, such as limited irrigation facilities and low Nutrient use efficiency. Experiment was conducted in Kharif seasons of 2009-10 and 2010-11 at Research Farm, National Livelihood Resource Institute, Ratlam (Madhya Pradesh) in the typical medium black clayey soil. The rainfall observed during crop periods was 874.4 and 510 mm in 2009-10 and 2010-11, respectively. The soil was low in organic carbon and available nitrogen , medium in available phosphorus and medium in available potassium with a pH of 7.76 and EC of 0.26 dSm -1 The experiment consisted of twenty seven treatment combinations of three levels each of the three factors viz. levels, source and schedules of nitrogen application viz., 50, 75 and 100 kg N/ha in the form of Prilled urea, Granular urea and Neem coated urea applied either in single dose at sowing or in two split (basal and 25 DAS) or in three split (basal, 25 and 45 DAS). A common dose of 40 kg P2O5 and 40 kg K2O/ha was applied at sowing. The experiment was laid out in completely randomized block design with 3 replications. Level, scheduling and source of nitrogen significantly interacted for seed yield per hectare. N3T3S3 (100 kg N/ha through Neem coated urea in three splits) produced significantly maximum seed yield 6133.42, 6387.33 and 6260.37 kg/ha during both the year. The B: C ratios of 5.33, 6.07 and 5.7 were found highest under the treatment combinations N3S2T3 followed by N3S3T3 during 2009, 2010. On the basis of the two years experimentation, it can be achieving the higher yields with better monetary returns from maize variety JM-216 through Neem coated urea @ 100 kg/ha in 3 splits doses i.e. basal, 25 and 45 DAS.