Cob Girth Research Articles

Combining Ability and Gene Action for Grain Yield and Attributing Traits in Maize (Zea mays L.) Subjected to Drought Stress

Background: Maize production is subdued by many impediments that cause yield minimization. Among various biotic and abiotic stress factors, one significant cause of yield reduction in maize is drought stress. Methods: A set of 15 inbreds which were crossed with 3 narrow base testers in line × tester mating design, and resulting 45 F1s along with the parent inbreds and 3 commercial checks were then, in RCBD, subjected to drought stressed and well-watered conditions to assess their genetic worth during spring 2021. Result: The ANOVA unraveled significant mean sum of squares due to lines, testers and line × tester in pooled analysis for all the ten traits. The inbred EI-2188-2 followed by EI-2448 and EI-03-3 contained fair per se performance and significant high GCA effects over the environments for grain yield/plant, proline content and cob length whereas the cross EI-2448-1 × EI-2156 was found most promising hybrid with significant and high SCA effects across the environments regarding grain yield/plant, proline content and cob girth. Prevalence of non-additive type of genetic variance in governing most of the traits suggests adoption of heterosis breeding will be rewarding for improving yield and drought tolerance. Heterotic pooling of the highlighted inbreds and utilization of the superlative hybrids in further breeding programmes for drought tolerance is proposed.

Effect of Nano-ZnO on Growth and Yield of Summer Maize under Drip Irrigation in Laterite Soil

A field experiment was conducted at Agricultural Farm, Palli Siksha Bhavana, Visva-Bharati, West Bengal, India during summer season (February–June), 2022 and 2023, respectively to investigate the effects of drip irrigation and nano zinc oxide biofortification on maize. In the main plot, four drip irrigations scheduling treatments viz., once-in-2 days, once-in-3 days, once-in-4 days and Irrigation by surface flooding method were accommodated. The sub-plot treatments consisted of five methods of zinc applications viz., control, soil application of ZnSO4 at 20 kg ha-1, foliar application of ZnO NP at 40 ppm, seed priming of ZnO NP (NP:Nano Particles) at 40 ppm, and seed coating of ZnO NP at 40 ppm. Growth parameter like plant height and number of leaves were highest with application water through drip irrigation once-in-3 days and seed coating of ZnO NP at 40 ppm at 30 DAS for both the years but at 90 DAS, drip irrigation once-in-2 days and seed coating of ZnO NP recorded highest growth parameters. Aerial dry matter accumulation in unit area recorded maximum in drip irrigation once-in-3 days and seed coating of ZnO NP at 40 ppm at 30 DAS but at 90 DAS drip irrigation once-in-2 days and seed coating of ZnO NP recorded highest. Cob girth, number of grains cob-1, seed index, grain yield and biological yield was observed highest with drip irrigation once-in-2 days and seed coating of ZnO NP in zinc treatment for both the years.

Potassium Management for Corn Growth, Yield and Sweetness under Sabah Sandy Soil

A study was conducted to determine the effect of potassium (K) with organic fertilizers on the growth, yield and sweetness of reddish waxy corn. The treatments were: (T1) standard fertilizer rate of 60 kg ha-1 K2O without organic fertilizer (control); (T2) 30 kg ha-1 K with organic fertilizer; (T3) 90 kg ha-1 K with organic fertilizer and (T4) 120 kg ha-1 K with organic fertilizer. Organic fertilizer used was 1.5 t ha-1 Bokashi and 20 t ha-1 chicken manure biochar (CMB). The planted corn received 120 kg ha-1 N and 60 kg ha-1 P2O5. The experimental design was Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with six replications. Stem girth, number of leaves, the height of the first cob, fresh weight of the first cob, 100 grains weight, cob girth, cob length and sweetness (Brix scale, %) data were analyzed using ANOVA (Analysis of Variance) at 5% significant levels. The Least Significant Different (LSD) was used to compare the means for significantly different results. Significant differences in growth were obtained at (p<0.05) in waxy corn for the number of leaves, the height of the first cob, length of cob, and girth between the control and all treatments. However, there is no significant difference for the sweetness of waxy corn for all treatments. Mean total for growth parameters; the number of leaves, stem girth and height of the first cob from soil surfaces and mean total for yield parameters; cob girth, length of cob, fresh weight of cob, 100 grains weight and the number of kernels was significantly higher for all treatments of T2, T3 and T4 compared to control the treatment of T1. The study showed no significant difference in the sweetness of waxy corn with increasing potassium application, resulting in increased total soluble content. Similar studies for a different rate of organic fertilizers and soil analysis can be done to ascertain further the effects on growth, yield, and sweetness parameters of reddish waxy corn with selected soil properties.

Correlation Studies on Growth, Yield Parameters and Yield of Maize as Influenced by Conservation Tillage Practices and Site-Specific Nutrient Management in Maize (Zea mays L.)

To meet the ever increasing needs of the growing human population ensuring sustainable use of natural resources, maintaining the standards essential for competing in the global market especially in case of major cereals like rice, wheat and maize is a never ending challenge. Keeping this in mind, to increase the productivity of maize by resource conservation techniques with different nutrient management practices, an experiment was laid out at a farmer’s field of Chella, Kamarapara, West Bengal, during pre-kharif season of 2022. The treatments consisted of 2 levels of tillage practices and 7 levels of SSNM treatments. The experimental finding revealed no significant difference between grain and stover yield with different tillage treatments. Whereas significantly higher grain and stover yield `was seen with SSNM through NE, lower grain and stover yield was recorded with control. Correlation studies revealed that plant height, dry matter accumulation, crop growth rate, cob girth, cob length, number of grain rows per cob, and number of cobs were highly significant and positively correlated with grain yield.

Effect of Lime Application for Neutralizing Fertilizer Acidity on Growth and Yield of Maize in Alfisols

A field experiment was conducted at College of Agriculture, V. C. Farm, Mandya during Kharif 2021-22 to evaluate the effect of lime application for neutralizing fertilizer acidity on growth and yield of maize in Alfisols. There were eight treatments that include 500 kg lime (T3) and 250 kg granular dolomite (T4) + FYM and recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF), 100% RDF and FYM + 100 and 50% fertilizer acidity neutralization with lime (T5 and T6) and granular dolomite (T7 and T8), absolute control (T1) and FYM + 100 % RDF (T2). The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. The results revealed that application of lime @ equivalent to 100% neutralization of fertilizer acidity with 100% RDF and FYM (T5) recorded significantly higher plant height (221.56 cm), number of leaves (13.01 plant-1), leaf area (6389 cm2 plant-1) and total dry matter accumulation plant-1 (168.74 g plant-1) which was on par with T8, T6, T7 and T4. Similarly, significantly higher yield parameters like cob length (21.98 cm), cob girth (20.01 cm), number of rows cob-1 (16.86), number of kernels row-1 (36.98) and test weight (35.98 g) were recorded in T5 when compared to T2, T3 and T1. Kernel and stover yield (81.57 and 90.67 q ha-1, respectively) was observed to be significantly higher in T5 treatment which was on par with T6 which clearly indicated that 100% neutralization of fertilizer acidity with lime along with 100% recommended dose of fertilizer and FYM is necessary for obtaining higher growth and yield of maize.

Effect of Nitrogen Management through Nano Fertilizers on Growth, Yield Attributes and Yield of Maize (Zea mays L.)

A field experiment was carried out during Kharif 2022-23 at Integrated Farming System demonstration unit, L-block, GKVK, Bengaluru, consisting 11 treatments replicated thrice and laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design. The treatments consisted of T1-(No nitrogen), T2-Nitrogen management as per package of practices (UASB), T3-50%RDN+foliar spray of nano-N at 30 and 50 DAS, T4-50%RDNP+ foliar spray of nano-NP at 30 and 50 DAS, T5-Foliar spray of only nano-N at 30, 50 and 70 DAS, T6-Foliar spray of only nano-NP at 30, 50 and 70 DAS, T7-25%RDN+foliar spray of nano-N at 30, 50 and 70 DAS, T8-25%RDNP+foliar spray of nano-NP at 30, 50 and 70 DAS, T9-100% RDN+NDVI based nano-N spray, T10-100% RDN+NDVI based nano-NP spray and T11-100% RDN+NDVI based conventional urea spray. The results revealed that application of 100%RDN+NDVI based nano-N spray recorded higher plant height (229.3 cm), number of leaves at 90 DAS (15.76), dry matter production (354.9 g plant-1), GreenSeeker reading at 30, 50 and at 70 DAS after spray (0.43, 0.58 and 0.73, respectively), cob length, cob girth and cob weight (20.5 cm, 5.49 cm and 201.9 g plant-1, respectively) and higher kernel and stover yield (7729 and 8948 kg ha-1, respectively)over other treatments and on it was par with 100% RDN+NDVI based conventional urea spray and 100% RDN + NDVI based nano NP spray.

Comparative analysis of the growth, yield attributes and grain yield of kharif maize (Zea mays) under varying doses of biochar, fertility levels, and biofertilizer treatments

A field experiment was conducted during the rainy (kharif) seasons of 2021 and 2022 at the research farm of Acharya Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, Kumarganj Ayodhya, Uttar Pardesh, to evaluate the effect of graded doses of biochar and fertility levels with and without biofertilizer under partially reclaimed sodic soils on maize (Zea mays L.) performance. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design (RBD) which with 3 replications. Experiment comprised of 8 treatments, viz. T1 , Control; T2 , 100% RDF 100 : 60 : 40 N, P2 O5 and K2 O; T3 , 50% RDF + 2.5 t/ha biochar; T4 , 50% RDF + 2.5 t/ha biochar + ZMB Biofertilizer; T5 , 50% RDF + 2.5 t/ha biochar + ZMB Biofertilizer + Zn; T6 , 100% RDF + 5 t/ha biochar; T7 , 100% RDF + 5 t/ha biochar + ZMB Biofertilizer; T8 , 100% RDF + 5 t/ha biochar + ZMB Biofertilizer + Zn. The study’s comparative analysis revealed the positive effects of applying biochar, optimal fertility levels, and biofertilizers on the yield attributes and grain yield of kharif maize. Notably, treatment T8 showed significant improvements, with a 53% increase in cob length, 34% increase in cob girth, 83% increase in the number of grains per row, 138.4% increase in grain yield, and 134% increase in stover yield compared to the control treatment. These findings demonstrate the successful impact of application of 100% RDF + 5 t/ha biochar + ZMB Biofertilizer + Zn in enhancing various aspects of maize growth and yield, surpassing the outcomes achieved with the control treatment and may be recommended for achieving high-quality maize production in partially reclaimed sodic soils of eastern Uttar Pradesh and comparable agro-ecoregions.

Assessing of Residual Legume Effect on Growth and Yield Parameters of rabi Maize under Irrigated Conditions

An experiment was conducted to study the residual influence of preceding legumes and nitrogen levels on growth and yield parameters of rabi maize at Maize Research Centre, AgriculturalResearch Institute, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, during kharif and rabi of 2021 and 2022. The experiment was laid out in split-plot design with 18 treatments consisted of C1N1: groundnut100% RDN- maize, C1N2: groundnut75% RDN- maize, C2N1: soybean100% RDN- maize, C2N2: soybean75% RDN- maize, C3N1: greengram100% : greengram100% RDN- maize, C3N2: greengram75% RDN- maize as main-plots and 3 subplots viz.100% RDN, 125% RDN, 150% RDN (kharif and rabi respectively) during twoyears of study. Among the different cropping systems, the preceding kharif greengram with 100% RDN on rabi zero-till maize showed higher growth interms i.e. plant height, leaf area, leaf chlorophyll content (SPAD reading) at 30 DAS, cob length, cob girth and yield in both years. However, with respect to nitrogen levels, application of 150% RDN to rabi maize showed significantly higher growth and yield followed by 125% RDN and lowest was seen in 100% RDN in rabi respectively. On the other hand, the interaction effect with the preceding legume residues on succeeding rabi maize with addition of varied nitrogen levels was found non-significant in 2021-22 and 2022-23.

Pyrolyzed and unpyrolyzed residues enhance maize yield under varying rates of application and fertilization regimes.

Biochar is increasingly gaining popularity due to its extensive recommendation as a potential solution for addressing the concerns of food security and climate change in agroecosystems, with biochar application for increased carbon sequestration, enhanced soil fertility, improved soil health, and increased crop yield and quality. There have been multiple studies on crop yield utilizing various biochar types and application amounts; however, none have focused on the influence of diverse biochar types at various pyrolysis temperatures with different application amounts and the integration of fertilizer regimes in maize crops. Therefore, a two-year factorial field experiment was designed in a temperate Himalayan region of India (THRI) to evaluate the residual effect of different biochar on maize yield under different pyrolysis temperatures, various application rates and fertilizer regimes. The study included three factors viz., amendment type (factor 1), rate of application (factor 2) and fertilizer regime (factor 3). Amendment type included 7 treatments: No biochar- control (A1), apple biochar @ 400°C pyrolysis temperature (A2), apple biochar @ 600°C pyrolysis temperature (A3), apple residue biomass (A4), dal weed biochar @ 400°C pyrolysis temperature (A5), dal weed biochar @ 600°C pyrolysis temperatures (A6), and dal weed residue biomass (A7). The rate of application included 3 levels: Low (L- 1 t ha-1), medium (M- 2 t ha-1), and high (H- 3 t ha-1). At the same time, the fertilizer regimes included 2 treatments: No fertilizer (N) and recommended dose of fertilizer (F). The results revealed that among the various amendment type, rate of application and fertilizer regimes, the A3 amendment, H rate of application and F fertilizer regime gave the best maize growth and productivity outcome. Results revealed that among the different pyrolyzed residues used, the A3 amendment had the highest plant height (293.87 cm), most kernels cob-1 (535.75), highest soil plant analysis development (SPAD) value (58.10), greatest cob length (27.36 cm), maximum cob girth (18.18 cm), highest grain cob yield (1.40 Mg ha-1), highest grain yield (4.78 Mg ha-1), higher test weight (305.42 gm), and highest stover yield (2.50 Mg ha-1). The maximum dry weight in maize and the number of cobs plant-1 were recorded with amendments A4 (14.11 Mg ha-1) and A6 (1.77), respectively. The comparatively 2nd year of biochar application than the 1st year, the H level of the rate of application than the L rate and the application and integration of the recommended dose of fertilizer in maize results in significantly higher values of growth and productivity in maize. Overall, these findings suggest that the apple biochar @ 600°C pyrolysis temperature (A3) at a high application rate with the addition of the recommended dose of fertilizer is the optimal biochar for enhancing the growth and productivity of maize in the THRI.

Effect of Crop Specific Blended Fertilizers on Growth and Yield of Maize (Zea mays L.)

A Field experiment was conducted during Rabi 2022-23 at Agricultural and Horticultural Research Station, Kathalagere, KSNUAHS, Shivamogga, to study the effect of crop specific blended fertilizers on the growth and yield of maize. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design with ten treatments replicated thrice. Nutrient composition of blended fertilizer used for basal application was 16:18:11:4:1 N:P2O5:K2O:S:Zn and for top dress was 27: 0:13 N:P2O5:K2O. The treatments T1, T2, T3 consisted of application of basal blended fertilizer @ 312.5, 412.5 and 515 kg ha-1, respectively and top dress blended fertilizer @ 237.5, 312.5 and 390 kg ha-1, respectively. Basal blended fertilizer @ 412.5 kg ha-1 + top dress of urea at 30 and 45 DAS (T4), Package of practice (PoP) through straight fertilizer (T5), PoP through complex fertilizer (T6), recommended dose through Urea, DAP, MOP and ZnSO4 + top dress of nano urea @ 0.4% at 30 and 45 DAS (T7), physical blending of Urea, SSP, MOP and ZnSO4 (16:18:11:4:1 N:P:K:S:Zn) for basal and Urea and MOP (27:0:13 N:P:K) for top dress (T8), farmers' practice (T9) and absolute control (T10). Among all treatments, the application of basal blended fertilizer @ 515 kg ha-1 + Top dress of blended fertilizer @ 390 kg ha-1 recorded the maximum plant height (222.4 cm), number of leaves (10.3 plant-1), total dry matter accumulation (285.86 g plant-1), cob length (21.31 cm), cob girth (18.31 cm), number of kernels per cob (516.57) and test weight (24.22 g) at harvest as compared to PoP through straight and complex fertilizer and absolute control. The same treatment recorded significantly higher kernel and straw yield (69.51 and 89.36 q ha-1, respectively) in comparison to other treatments but it was on par with T2, T5 and T6. The treatment T3 recorded 27.8 % higher yield compared to T9. In study area the application of basal blended fertilizer @ 515 kg ha-1 + Top dress of blended fertilizer @ 390 kg ha-1 is recommended to achieve higher growth and yield of maize.

Evaluation on Genetic Variation, Correlation and Path Analysis in Zaid Maize (Zea mays L.) for Quantitative Characters

The present investigation was carried out to evaluate genetic variability parameters, correlation and path analysis in twenty-one maize genotypes for 21 quantitative traits in Zaid 2023 at Field Experimentation Centre, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Naini Agricultural Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture Technology and Sciences, Uttar Pradesh in Randomized Block Design replicated thrice. Analysis of Variance for all characters revealed that treatment differences were highly significant under study at 1% level. Genotype MZ-1917 depicted highest grain yield in the grown environment. The values of PCV were higher than GCV values for all the characters and large differences PCV between the values of PCV and GCV of characters like number of leaves per plant, leaf length, tassel length, cob length, cob girth and shelling percentage indicating that environmental factors significantly influenced the expression of these traits. All the traits studied had higher heritability, high genetic advance coupled with high heritability was observed for anthesis-silking intervals, ear height, cob weight, number of kernels per row, shank weight, 100 kernels weight, biological yield and grain yield per plant indicating the presence of large proportion of additive genetic action deciding these traits. Correlation and path coefficient analysis suggest that selection based on characters cob length, cob weight, shank weight, 100 kernels weight had positive correlation and direct effects with grain yield per plant. Therefore, it concludes that effective selection must be attempted for these traits, which would help in improvement of grain yield in maize genotypes grown during Zaid season of eastern Uttar Pradesh.

Character Association Study in Maize Hybrids Developed through Integration of Rapid Cycle Genomic Selection and Doubled Haploid Technology for Heat Stress Tolerance

Heat stress is becoming a major constraint for maize production; therefore heat stress resilience has emerged as an important aspect in maize hybrids targeted for post rainy spring season. Selection of genotypes based on high grain yield under heat stress condition is often misleading and the identification of secondary traits also associated with grain yield may help in development of heat tolerant cultivars. Hence, the present research work to study the association of traits was conducted during summer and kharif 2018 and rabi 2018-19 at Bheemarayanagudi and Raichur using 111 testcross progenies of doubled haploids derived from C1, C2 and C3 cycles of multi-parental synthetic population 1 and 2 improved through rapid cycle genomic selection for heat stress tolerance. The phenotypic correlation analysis under heat stress and optimal conditions, number of kernels per cob and cob girth exhibited the strong positive association with grain yield per plant. Further, under early spring condition number of kernels per cob, cob length, cob girth and 100 grain weight recorded the strong positive association with grain yield per plant. However, when considering across heat stress, early spring and optimal conditions, the grain yield per plant showed positive and significant strong to moderate association with the traits viz., number of kernels per cob, cob length and cob girth under all the seasons. In addition, days to 50% silking showed significant negative correlation with grain yield per plant under heat stress and optimal condition. Hence, the simultaneous selection criteria for the genotypes that exerts early silking, higher number of kernels per cob, higher cob girth and lengthy cob should be the priority of breeders to achieve higher grain yields in maize under heat stress condition as well as optimal conditions.

Effect of Nano-Fertilizers on Growth and Yield of Summer Hybrid Maize (Zea mays L.) in Gangetic Plains of India

Nano fertilizer contains the nutrients in a concentrated and energy farm which would also pave the way to have a successful harvest without soil application and to reduce the ill effect on soil. In this regard, the present experiment was carried out over two years at BCKV, West Bengal, India in the Gangetic alluvial soil, to assess the impact of nano fertilizer management on growth and yield of summer hybrid maize cv. ‘Kaveri 50’. The treatments comprised different percentage of recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) with or without nano fertilizer application. Results revealed that application of 50 % RDZn and 100 % N-P-K along with 2 foliar sprays of Nano-Zn @ 4 ml litre-1 at 25 and 50 DAS (T8) recorded better results of growth attributes. The yield attributes like number of cobs plant-1 (1.30), cob length (21.30 cm), cob girth (16.25 cm), number of rows cob-1 (13.97), number of grains cob-1 (317.6), seed index (25.40 g) and single cob weight (128.74 g) also found highest from the same treatment. Higher grain (8.16 t ha-1) and stover yield (12.22 t ha-1) were recorded in T8 treatment and yield variation was 2.21 to 63.86 % over control with highest benefit-cost ratio (2.35). Hence, application of 50 % RDZn and 100 % N-P-K along with 2 foliar sprays of Nano-Zn @ 4 ml litre-1 at 25 and 50 DAS could be more effective in augmenting yield, available nutrient status and economics of summer maize in the Gangetic plains of India.

Effect of Compost Coated and Blended Phosphatic Fertilizers on Growth, Yield and Nutrient Uptake by Maize under Alfisols in India

During kharif 2020 a field experiment was conducted at College of Agriculture, V. C. Farm, Mandya, India to study the effect of compost coated and blended phosphatic fertilizers on growth, yield and nutrient uptake of maize. There were eight treatments that include 100, 75 and 50 per cent of compost coated DAP (T3, T4 and T5, respectively) and compo blended rock phosphate (T6, T7 and T8, respectively) along with recommended dose of nitrogen and potassium, keeping 100% recommended dose of fertilizers (using uncoated DAP) as check. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. The results revealed higher growth parameters viz., plant height (222.75 cm), no. of leaves plant-1 (12.98 plant-1), leaf area (6387.55 cm2 plant-1) and total dry matter accumulation plant-1 (167.20 g plant-1) were recorded with application of 75 per cent RDP through compost coated DAP with recommended dose of N and K (T4) which was on par with T7, T3 and T6, respectively. Similarly, significantly higher yield parameters like cob length (21.87 cm), cob girth (20.76 cm), no. of rows cob-1 (16.56 cob-1), no. of kernels row-1 (36.03 row-1) and test weight (35.73 g) were recorded in T4 when compared to T2, T5 and T8, respectively. Kernel and stover yield (82.19 and 91.44 q ha-1, respectively) was observed to be higher in T4 coupled with higher uptake of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn which clearly indicated that application of 75% RDP through compost coated DAP is optimum for obtaining higher growth, yield and nutrient uptake by maize.

Genetic variability and correlation studies of yield and yield related attributes in BC2F2 population of sweet corn

The present study was carried out to study the genetic variability, heritability, genetic advance as percent of mean, correlation, skewness, and kurtosis of the backcross population BC2F2 derived from the cross SCM-Se-Sh-2 × DBT 17. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance was observed for cob girth, number of kernels per row, cob weight, 100 grain weight and single plant yield, suggesting additive gene action and selection of progenies based on this trait will result in higher genetic gain. Association studies showed that single plant yield was positively correlated with all yield attributes, viz., cob weight, number of kernels per row, 100 grain weight and plant height. These results depicted that cob weight, numbers of kernels per row and 100 grain weight may be used as reliable criteria for improving grain yield. Single plant yield, 100 grain weight, cob weight and plant height showed positive skewness and platykurtic distribution. This indicates that traits are governed by a large number of genes, and most of the genes exhibited complementary gene action, suggesting rigorous selection to achieve genetic gain. Overall, it is seen that this population has potential for yield improvement with enriched beta-carotene content.

Genetic Studies for Yield Components and Screening for Drought Tolerance at Seedling Stage of Maize (Zea mays L.) Genotypes

A field experiment involving 30 genotypes of maize was carried out under the field condition during Rabi 2021-2022 to study the association of yield contributing characters among themselves along with direct and indirect effects on grain yield per plant and identify the genotypes which are highly efficient with respect to different PEG induced drought stress. The results of the study revealed that plant height, leaf length, ear height, number of grain rows per cob, number of grains per row, cob girth, cob weight, biological yield per plant, 100 grains weight and harvest index showed positive significant association with grain yield per plant both at genotypic and phenotypic levels. Plant height showed positive significant association with leaf length, ear height, number of grain rows per cob, cob girth, cob weight, 100 grains weight, biological yield per plant and grain yield per plant. Days to fifty per cent silking, anthesis to silking interval, days to maturity, number of grain rows per cob exhibited negative direct effect while number of cobs per plant, leaf width, cob length, cob weight, biological yield per plant and harvest index exhibited positive direct effect on grain yield per plant. For improvement of seed yield, attention should be given for traits such as cob weight, biological yield per plant and harvest index which showed high positive correlation coefficients with a considerable direct and indirect effect on grain yield. MGC-192 has shown high root length, shoot length, seedling length, seedling dry weight, seedling vigour index 1, seedling vigour index II, germination percentage and MGW-392 has shown high relative water content under PEG induced stress condition, hence this genotype is suggested for future selection.

Effect of Growth Enhancer on Growth and Productivity of Maize (Zea mays L.)

The experiment was conducted during Rabi 2021 at Zonal Agricultural Research. Station, GKVK, Bangalore to study the efficacy of a Growth Enhancer (GE) as a foliar nutrient source for enhancing maize growth and yield. The field investigation was carried out using Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) having eleven. treatments viz., T1: GE 10.0 ml per litre + 50 % RDF, T2: GE 10.0 ml per litre + 75 % RDF, T3: GE 10.0 ml per litre + 100 % RDF, T4: GE 20.0 ml per litre + 50 % RDF, T5: GE 20.0 ml per litre + 75 % RDF, T6: GE 20.0 ml per litre + 100 % RDF, T7: Urea spray - 0.5 % + 100 % RDF, T8: Nano N two sprays at 30 and 60 DAS + 50% RDN and 100% P&K, T9: Nano N & P two sprays at 30 and 60 DAS + 50% RDNP and 100% K, T10: RDF with FYM, and T11: Only RDF with three replications. The results of the study revealed that among different treatments application of growth enhancer 20 ml per litre of water with 100 % RDF was recorded a significantly higher plant height, dry matter accumulation in leaves, stem, cob and total dry matter accumulation, cob length, cob girth,, number of kernels cob-1 and weight of kernels cob-1, kernel and stover yield in comparison to all other treatments. Similarly higher gross returns, net returns and benefit cost ratio were obtained with the application of GE 20.0 ml per litre + 100 % RDF.

Assessment of Genetic Variation and Character Association among Yield and Yield Attributing Traits in Sweet Corn (Zea mays L. saccharata) Inbred Lines

In this study, forty-six sweet corn inbred lines were evaluated to assess the variability and association among 11 yield and yield attributing traits at College Farm, College of Agriculture, Rajendranagar, PJTSAU. The traits plant height, ear height, cob length, cob girth, number of rows per ear, number of kernels per row, cob weight with husk and cob weight without husk have shown moderate to high range of PCV, GCV, heritability and genetic advance over mean displaying the importance of these traits in selecting superior sweet corn inbreds. Critical analysis of results obtained from correlation and path analysis revealed that the traits cob length, cob girth, number of kernel rows per ear and cob weight without husk posses high positive significant associations and positive direct effects. From this study it was concluded that cob length, cob girth, number of kernel rows per ear and cob weight without husk are the key traits to be given prime importance during selection for further improvement of production as they exhibited significant positive direct effects with cob weight with husk.

Agronomic Evaluation of Nitrogen and Boron on Growth and Yield of Baby Corn (Zea mays L.)

The experiment was conducted at CRF, Department of Agronomy (SHUATS, Prayagraj) during Rabi season 2022-2023 on babycorn. Treatments consisting of 3 levels of nitrogen (40,50,60 kg/ha) and 3 levels of boron (5,6,7 kg/ha) and with A control. The experiment was arranged in a randomized block design with 10 treatments and replicated thrice. The result concluded that significantly higher plant height (125.32 cm), dry weight (85.96 g/plant), cob length (20.19 cm), cob girth 10.36 cm, number of cobs (2.17) , yield of cob without husk (1498.59 kg/ha) and yield of cob with husk (3110.46 kg/ha) is observed when applying nitrogen 60 kg/ha + boron 7 kg/ha (125.32 cm).

Effects of Crop Geometry and Split Nitrogen Application on Spring Maize Growth, Yield Components and Yield in Digam, Gulmi, Nepal

Maize (Zea mays L.) is a heavy nutrient feeder that needs optimum spacing and appropriate time to apply nitrogen to get maximum yield. A field study was carried out at Digam, Gulmi, from February to June 2022 to examine the impact of crop geometry and split application of nitrogen on spring maize in two factorial randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications. Factor A was the split application of nitrogen; (120 kg ha-1N at the time of sowing) and (60 kg ha-1N at the time of sowing + 30 kg ha-1N at knee height stage + 30 kg ha-1N before tasseling stage) and factor B included the three levels of spacing (75 cm x 25 cm, 60 cm x 25 cm and 50 cm x 25 cm). Plant height , stem girth , leaf number, cob girth, thousand grain weight, number of kernel rows per ear, number of kernels per row, and grain yield (3.45 MT ha-1) were all highest for treatment (60 kg ha-1N at sowing + 30 kg ha-1N at knee height + 30 kg ha-1N before tasseling). Likewise, plant height, leaf area index, cob length, cob girth, cob weight, thousand grain weight, number of kernels per row, grain yield (3.04 MT ha-1) and harvest index were highest in plant spaced at (75 cm x 25 cm), while the number of kernel rows per ear was highest in plants spaced at (60 cm x 25 cm). The lowest value of all parameters was found in plants at treatments; (120 kg ha-1N at the time of sowing) and (50 cm x 25cm). Similarly, the treatment (60 kg ha-1N at the time of sowing + 30 kg ha-1N at knee height stage + 30 kg ha-1N before tasseling stage) combined with spacing of (60cm x 25cm) was found to have a significant effect on grain yield (3.99 MT ha-1) which was statistically at par to the treatments, (60 kg ha-1 N at the time of sowing + 30 kg ha-1 N at knee height stage + 30 kg ha-1 N before tasseling stage) combined with spacing of (75 cm x 25 cm) (3.95 MT ha-1 ) . Thus, for the optimum and sustainable production of the spring maize, crop geometry of (75 cm x 25 cm) or (60 cm x 25 cm) can be recommended with three splits application of nitrogen at Digam, Gulmi.