Plant density and fertilization in hybrid quality protein maize (Zea mays): Effects on the soil nutrient status and performance of succeeding wheat (Triticum aestivum) and productivity of cropping system

Abstract

After introduction of hybrid under maize (Zea mays L.) cultivation in India it became competitive to rice and found suitable for crop diversification. Due to higher nutrient demand and differential plant type the hybrid needs modification in production technology especially for nutrient and plant geometry. So, this study was conducted in maize-wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) (MW) system in western Indo-gangetic plains in sandy loam soil for two consecutive years (2010-12) to explore best maize density and nutrient management in system in order to enhance soil nutrient status and productivity. The results showed that the application of the highest dose of nutrients in maize, i.e. 300: 45.9: 87.5 N:P:K kg/ha resulted in higher organic carbon, macro and micronutrient availability in soil while application of the lowest dose of fertilizer gave significantly higher CEC and available sulphur. Significantly higher CEC, organic carbon and available nutrients were observed in 66 000 plants/ha which gave significantly higher plant height and effective tillers in wheat. The growth and yield attributes of wheat, viz. plant height, effective tillers, spike length, spikelets/spike and spike weight in wheat were significantly higher with residual effect of 300: 45.9: 87.5 N:P:K kg/ha nutrient application in maize which were on par with 250: 39.9: 75.0 N:P:K kg/ha. Amongst the direct nutrient application in wheat significantly higher LCC, SPAD, plant height, effective tillers, spike length, spikelet/spike, and grain weight/spike were recorded with 125% RDF which were on par with RDF or 75% RDF. The better nutrition in maize compared to ad-hoc recommendations resulted in significant (P<0.05) enhancement of system productivity by 17 to 19%. The direct application of nutrient in wheat gave 14 to 19 higher yield of wheat as well as 6 to 8% higher yield of the MW system. So, on the basis of two years study it was concluded that growing of maize with 66 000 plants/ha and 250:39.9:75 kg/ha N:P:K application followed by 90:19.8:24.0 kg/ha N:P:K application in wheat may be adopted for higher yield and soil nutrient status in western Indo-gangetic plains.