Enhancing maize productivity through the use of split application of phosphorus and potassium in the acid soils of Rampur, Chitawan [printed text] / Adhikary, Bishnu H., Author ; Babu R. Pandey, Author . - 2009.
In: IAAS Journal 2009, 30:57-62.
Languages : English (eng)

Keywords:

Crop  growth  and  yield  parameters;  phosphorus  potassium  application  methods;  significant  effect;  increment  Zea  mays.

Abstract:

Phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) are the major food elements for the crop growth and grain production of maize (Zea mays L.).Their response to crop production could vary with their application method and times. Split application of P and K increases the efficacy of the given nutrients and thus increased grain yield could be expected in acid soil condition. To evaluate the effects of methods of P and K application , series of experiments were conducted on maize for 3 consecutive years (2005, 2006 and 2007) in the acidic soils ( 4.77 – 5.09 pH) in the farmland of NMRP, Rampur. The experiments were conducted in RCB design with 3 replications in the plot size of 12 sq.m. The crop was planted in the month of September and harvested in February. The crop growth and production parameters were studied and analyzed statistically. The results revealed that ear height and kernel rows were found statistically affected in the year 2005 and 2006. Similarly, ear length and kernel numbers were affected significantly in the year 2007. Thousand grain weight was also found significantly affected in all years. The highest 1000 grain weight of 457.66 g was recorded in the year 2007 when the crop was supplied with 40 kg P2O5 (half basal and half topdress) and 30 kg K2O (half basal and half top-dress) along with 10 t of compost and 100 kg /ha of nitrogen. Significant effect of treatments was also observed in straw production during the years 2005 and 2006. The highest straw yield (6.33 t /ha) was recorded in the year 2005 when the crop was fertilized by split application of P and basal dose of 30 kg K2O /ha along with 10 t /ha of compost and 100 kg N. The effects of treatments were observed highly significant on the grain production in all years. Three years mean result revealed that highest grain yield (6.16 t /ha) was recorded when the crop was fertilized by 10 t compost plus 100 kg N applied along with 40 kg P2O5 and 30 kg K2O which were applied half as basal and the other half as topdressing, respectively. The highest yield increment (205.5 %) over the control plot was recorded at this level of fertilization and method of P and K application. Farmers are suggested to apply P and K fertilizers half as basal dressing and the other half as topdress in acid soil condition of Chitwan.