Growth Parameters and Protein Content of Maize as Influenced by Sowing Methods and Different Levels of Nitrogen

Abstract

The field experiment was carried out at Research Farm, Integral University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India during Kharif season, 2021. The experiment envisages to study the effect of Sowing methods and different Nitrogen levels on yield and attributes of maize crop. The experiment was laid down in the Split Plot Design and the treatments were replicated three times. The maximum plant height of 56.92 cm, 235.17 cm and 237.16 cm was observed in the ridge method of sowing at knee height stage, tasselling stage and at harvest stage, respectively. Among nitrogen levels, the maximum plant height of 57.61 cm, 235.29 cm and 238.38 cm was observed at knee height stage, tasselling stage and at harvest stage, respectively in the treatment (N5) 25% N through granular urea + 75% N through Nano-urea. Among nitrogen levels, the maximum DMA of 86.30, 425.36 and 1287.73 g sqm-1 day-1 was observed at knee height stage, tasselling stage and at harvest stage, respectively in the treatment (N5) 25% N through granular urea + 75% N through Nano-urea. At harvest stage number of leaves per plant were highest in the S1 (14.33) and N5 (16.13) treatment. Among nitrogen levels, the maximum leaf area index (LAI) of 1.55, 2.49 and 1.9 was observed at knee height stage, tasselling stage and at harvest stage, respectively in the treatment N5. Among sowing methods, highest protein content was found in the ridge method (10.14%) followed by flat method (9.81%) and broadcast method (9.42%) of sowing. The protein yielded maximum of 586.15 kg ha-1 in the N5 treatment. All parameters showed better in granular urea application rather than nano-urea, when used solely.