Yield and economic response of Rabi maize (Zea mays L.) to different mulching and nutrient management

Abstract

An experiment was conducted during Rabi season of 2019-20 with the objective of evaluating the effect of mulching and nutrient management practices on growth, yield and economics of maize (Zea mays L.) at Balindi Research Complex, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Nadia, West Bengal, India on clay loam soil. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with nine treatment (T) combinations such as T1- Live mulch (Trifolium alexandrium)+50% recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) [120:60:40 kg /ha N, P2O5 and K2O], T2- Live Mulch+75% RDF, T3- Live Mulch+100% RDF, T4- Straw Mulch (rice straw)+ 50 % RDF, T5- Straw Mulch+75% RDF, T6- Straw Mulch+100% RDF, T7- No Mulch+50% RDF ,T8- No Mulch+75% RDF and T9- No Mulch+100 % RDF, replicated thrice. Experimental results revealed that different mulching and nutrient levels exerted significant influence on growth, yield, net return and benefit-cost ratio (B:C). Application of straw mulch+100% RDF (T6) resulted in the highest plant height (164.57 cm), grain yield (5.28 tonnes /ha), stover yield (7.65 tonnes/ha) and B: C (2.16), however, treatment T7 recorded the lowest grain and stover yield. So, the integrated application of straw mulch along with 100% RDF could be recommended for better yield and higher profit of Rabi maize. Integration of organic mulch might be useful for long-term soil health benefits for the nutrient exhaustive maize crop.