Vol. 11, Issue 12 (2022)

Author(s):
Azra Khan, ZA Dar, FA Sheikh, AB Shikari, MA Wani, Fehim Jeelani wani, Angrej Ali, MH Khan, NA Dar, Shamshir Ul Hussan, Nusrat Ul Islam, Bisma Rashid, Shaila Din and Uzma Fayaz

Abstract:
The present study was under taken during Kharif 2019, Rabi 2019-20, Kharif 2020 and Rabi 2020-21 at Dry Land Agriculture Research Station (DARS) Srinagar, Faculty of Agriculture Wadura and Winter Nursery Centre Hyderabad. Experimental materials comprised of two early maturing single cross maize hybrids viz SMH-3 (Shalimar Maize Hybrid-3) and SMH-5 (Shalimar Maize Hybrid-5). Three treatment combinations viz. M1: RDF (150:75:40 NPK kg/ha) + ZnSO4 10 kg/ha, M2: RDF (150:75:40 NPK kg/ha) + FeSO4 10 kg/ha and M3: RDF (150:75:40 NPK kg/ha) + 10 kg ZnSO4 + FeSO4 10 kg/ha with two maize inbreds which were allotted in main plots are female and male inbred for four planting ratios viz: P1: 4:1 (Female: Male), P2: 4:2 (Female: Male), P3: 5:1 (Female: Male)and P4: 6:2 (Female: Male). Five plants were tagged at random for recording various morphological traits viz plant height at 30, 60 and 90 Days after sowing (DAS), Days to 50 percent male tassel initiation and Days to 50 percent female silk initiation. The observations recorded from the growth parameters like plant height at 30, 60 and 90 DAS (days after sowing) did not differ significantly due to the effect of planting ratios. The application of micronutrients like zinc alone or in combination with iron initially at crop growth stage increased growth which is attributed to internode elongation and higher growth rate of stem that ultimately played a major role in increasing the plant height. Non-significant differences on male tasseling due to planting ratio and hybrid were recorded at both the locations, however, the interactions were found to differ significantly. The observations recorded on number of days to female silking in female lines showed significant difference with respect to hybrids and their interaction with planting ratios and application of micronutrients at both the locations.