Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management on Growth and Yield Parameters of Maize (Zea mays.) (Poaceae)

Aim: To study effect of integrated nutrient management on growth and yield of maize (Zea mays L.).

Study Design: A field experiment was conducted at Agronomy farm, school of agriculture, Lovely Professional University, Punjab, India during kharif season of 2022.

Methodology: The experiment trail was laid out in randomized block design. It consisted of three replications with ten treatment combinations i.e. T1- 100% Recommended dose fertilizers (RDF) + Farmyard manure(FYM)15 t ha-1;, T2- 100% RDF + Vermicompost7.5 t ha-1;, T3-100% RDF + seed priming with Biofertilizers (Azotobacter), T4- 75% RDF + FYM 11 t ha-1;, T5- 75% RDF + Vermicompost 5.6 t ha-1;, T6-75% RDF +seed priming with Biofertilizers (Azotobacter);,T7- 50% RDF basal dose + Nano urea spray 0.15% (25 and 50 Days After Sowing);, T8- 50% RDF basal dose + Nano urea spray0.30% (25 and 50 DAS);, T9- Vermicompost 3.5 t ha-1 + seed priming with Biofertilizers (Azotobacter); T10- control.

Results: The results showed that application of T2 100% RDF + Vermicompost 7.5 t ha-1 had significant effect on growth and yield of maize. The plant height, number of leaves per plant and dry matter accumulation were also significantly higher in T2followed by T1100% RDF + FYM 15 t ha-1. The highest grain yield (64.36 q ha-1) was obtained in T2 followed by T1 (63.6 q ha-1), T3 (57.92 q ha-1) andT8 (56.16 q ha-1).

Conclusion: Overall, the results and the study suggest the use of integrated nutrient management can improve the growth and yield of maize and provide sustainable solution to meet the nutrient requirements of the crop.