Effect of nutrient management and plant density on productivity of QPM hybrids of maize (Zea mays)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during the rany season of 2014 and 2015 at the Rajasthan College of Agriculture, Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology, Udaipur, Rajasthan to study the effect of nutrient-management approaches on the performance of quality protein maize hybrids at varying plant densities. The results showed that ‘HQPM 1’ produced significantly higher yield attributes and yield over Pratap QPM hybrid– 1. Significantly higher yield parameters of QPM hybrids were observed in normal density (60 cm × 20 cm) over high density (50 cm × 20 cm) however, the yield was significantly higher with high density than the normal density. Nutrient application through soil-test-crop response (STCR) approach resulted in significantly higher yield parameters and yield over site-specific nutrient management (SSNM), recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) and green seeker approaches during both the years. Thus, growing of ‘HQPM 1’ with 1,00,000 plants/ha and STCR approach followed by SSNM approach may be adopted for higher yield.