Influence of balanced nutrition, seed rate and plant geometry on fodder maize in south-eastern Rajasthan

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during summer season of 2009 and 2010 at Borkhera farm, Kota, Rajasthan to find out the effect of row spacing, seed rate and balanced nutrition on fodder maize. Plant height, leaf area index, green and dry fodder yield, crude protein content, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and zinc uptake was significantly increased as the row spacing increased from 30 to 45 cm. Maximum green fodder (45.10 t/ha) and dry fodder (11.96 t/ha) yields were obtained with the row spacing of 45 cm, which was significantly superior to row spacing of 30 cm. Seed rate 60 and 75 kg/ha being at par, registered significantly highest plant height, leaf area index, green and dry fodder yield over seed rate 45 kg/ha. Significantly highest green and dry fodder yields (48.06 and 12.70 t/ ha) were recorded with application of N 100 kg + P 30 kg + K 30kg + Zn 5kg /ha. This nutrient combinations also significantly increased nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and zinc uptake and their content in fodder maize.