Effect of nutrients sources on spring maize (Zea mays) and its residual effect on succeeding basmati rice (Oryza sativa)

Abstract

A two-year field experiment was carried out at Regional Research Station, Karnal during 2016 and 2017 to study the effect of different nutrient sources on spring maize (Zea mays L.) and succeeding basmati rice (Oryza sativa L.) utilizing four organic manures [pressmud @7.5 t ha-1, vermicompost @ 7.5 t ha-1, farmyard manure @15 t ha-1 and control] and six fertilizer levels [135 , 180 kg N ha-1, 135 kg N ha-1 + 30 kg P2O5 ha-1, 180 kg N ha-1 + 30 kg P2O5 ha-1, 75% RDF and 100% RDF]. The results of the study revealed that the application of pressmud and vermicompost applied each at 7.5 t ha-1 recorded the higher dry matter accumulation, cob length, cob girth, number of kernels/cob, test weight and yield (grain and biological) of spring maize over no organic manure treatment. Increase in grain and biological yield of maize with application of pressmud over farmyard manure was 8.4 and 10.1%, and 7.97 and 9.61% during 2016 and 2017, respectively. Among fertilizer levels, application of 100% RDF being at par with 75% RDF and 180 kg Nha-1 + 30 kg P2O5 ha-1 recorded the higher dry matter accumulation, yield attributes and yield of maize.The residual effect of 100% RDF being at par with 75% RDF and 180 kg N ha-1+ 30 kg P2O5 ha-1 was found superior over 135 kg N ha-1 with respect to yield attributes and yield of basmati rice.