Effect of Planting Density and Nitrogen Levels on the Yield Attributing Characters of Fodder Maize (Shalimar Fodder Maize-1)
Aadil Akbar Wani
Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, 190025, J&K, India.
Faisul Ur Rasool *
Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, 190025, J&K, India.
Latief Ahmad
Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, 190025, J&K, India.
Mohammad Iqbal Bhat
Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, 190025, J&K, India.
Kahkashan Qayoom
Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, 190025, J&K, India.
Aamir Hassan Mir
Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, 190025, J&K, India.
Raies A Bhat
Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, 190025, J&K, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Maize (Zea mays L.) is widely known as a ready-made fodder crop. Maize is the third major cereal crop in the world, and in India, it ranks third. Maize has been an important cereal crop owing to its highest production potential and wider adaptability to varied agroclimatic conditions, hence being called the ‘Queen of Cereals’. The production potential of forage maize can be altered with changes in agronomic practices. The present study was undertaken with the objective of improving the yield attributes and quality traits of forage maize (Shalimar Fodder Maize-1). The experiment consisted of two factors, viz., three planting densities (viz., D1= 30cm x 10cm, D2= 40cm x 10cm, and D3= 50cm x 10cm) as main plots and five nitrogen levels (viz., N1= Control, N2= 75% RDN (recommended dose of nitrogen), N3= 100% RDN, N4= 125% RDN, and N5= 150% RDN) as subplot treatments with three replications, laid out in split plot design (SPD). The parameters such as yield attributes, and quality parameters were significantly higher when plants were grown at a density of 30 cm x 10 cm with a nitrogen level of 150 % RDN.
Keywords: Maize, planting densities, nitrogen levels, growth parameters