Vol. 11, Issue 11 (2022)

Today increasing the yield of maize both in terms of grain and fodder with judicial application of nutrients by means of various sources is key for food security and animal fodder industry. A field experiment was conducted on HQPM1 maize with three types of manures (FYM, poultry manure and vermicompost, three levels of NPK application (0% Recommended dose of fertilizer RDF, 50% RDF and 100% RDF) and three Zn application rate (0 kg/ha, 15 kg/ha and 30 kg/ha). Results showed that among the three sources of manure, poultry manure was the best in terms of reducing the number of days to attain 50% tasselling, 50% silking; and increasing grain yield and stover yield of HQPM1. While for NPK and Zn application their highest levels i.e., 100% RDF and 30kg/ha Zn respectively, resulted in significantly lowest days to 50% tasselling, 50% silking; and highest grain yield (kg/ha) and stover yield (kg/ha). Only fertilizer levels and Zinc application could exert significant influence on nitrogen content and uptake, phosphorus content and uptake; zinc content and uptake; protein and carbohydrate content in the HQPM-1 maize. The treatment combination involving 100% RDF and 30 kg/ha Zinc exerted the best results among all the combinations. Economic analysis of maize production indicated that integrated nutrient management significantly increased the overall profitability of the maize production. M2F3Z3 with B:C ratio and net return of 2.22 and ₹60684.83 ha-1 respectively, was the best treatment due to significantly higher grain and stover yield of maize plants.