Effect of plant spacing and date of sowing on yield and yield attributes of popcorn (<em>Zea mays everta</em>) under rainfed conditions of valley

Abstract

Two field experiments were conducted at DARS Budgam, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir during 2016 and 2017 under rainfed conditions with the objective to study the growth and yield of popcorn at different sowing dates, plant spacing and nitrogen levels. Experiment was laid in split-split plot design assigning three Sowing Dates 19th Standard Metrological week (May 02-May 08) (D1), 21th Standard Metrological week (May 16-May 22) and 23nd Standard Metrological week (May 30-June 05). Two plant spacings where maintained viz: S1i.e 60cm X 20cm (83000 plants ha-1) and S2 i.e. 60cm X 15cm (104166 plants ha-1) along with three nitrogen levels viz: N1 =90 kg ha-1 N2 =120 kg ha-1 and N3=150 kg ha-1. The results revealed that grain and stover yield of maize increased significantly for maize sown in 21th standard meteorological week with concomitant increase in its yield attributes viz., cob length, cobs per plant, no. of grains per cob and 100-grain weight and growth characters like plant height, number of leaves per plant, leaf area index and dry matter accumulation which had longer vegetative phase than late planting dates for both the years. Among planting density, 60cm×20cm (S1) recorded significantly higher grain yield (3.48 and 3.73 ton ha-1) and stover yield (5.76 and 6.12 ton ha-1) for the year 2106 and 2017 respectively. Growth and yield attributing characters also recorded highest value with planting density 60cm×20cm (S1). Popping percentage recorded for plant spacing S1 (60cm×20cm) was statistically superior as compared with same of S2 (60cm×15cm). As far as Nitrogen levels are concerned, growth characters like plant height, total number of leaves per plant, dry matter accumulation increased significantly with 120kg/ha nitrogen. Also grain and stover yield showed significant and consistent improvement with increased dose of nitrogen (120 kg/ha). Yield attributing characters showed significant improvement with increasing the level at 150kg/ha. Also popping percentage and nutrient content of plant at anthesis and grain was significantly higher for 150kg/ha nitrogen whereas popping volume and nitrogen content in stover was statistically at par with respect to three nitrogen levels.