Vol. 12, Issue 11 (2023)

Author(s):
Hikmatullah Hussainee, BK Sagarka and RK Mathukia

Abstract:
To determine how spacing and different NPK levels affect high quality protein maize (Zea mays. L. Var. HQPM-1), in summer of 2016, a field experiment was carried out in Junagadh (Gujarat). Three different levels of spacings (45 cm × 20 cm, 60 cm × 20 cm, and 75 cm × 20 cm) with four NPK levels (0-0-0, 90-45-45, 120-60-60 and 150-75-75 kg N-P₂O₅ and K₂O ha^-1) were combined into twelve different treatments. The experiment was set up using three factorial randomized block design replications. The finding showed that, under 45 cm × 20 cm significantly higher values of growth parameters such as plant height, dry matter per plant and number of internodes per plant were observed. Yield attributes viz. cob length, number of cobs per plant, number of grains per cob, 100-grain weight, shelling per cent, harvest index, grain and fodder yields, quality parameter viz., protein content and protein yield and N, P, K content, uptake and availability in soil were recorded significant highest under spacing 60 cm × 20 cm over 75 cm × 20 cm. Application of 150-75-75 kg N-P₂O₅ and K₂O ha^-1 being at par with 120-60-60 kg N-P₂O₅ and K₂O ha^-1 recorded significantly higher growth parameters viz., plant height, functional leaves per plant, dry matter per plant, leaf SPAD meter value, yield attributes viz., cob length, number of cobs per plant, number of grains per cob, 100-grain weight, shelling percentage, harvest index along with higher grain and fodder yields, quality parameters viz., protein content and protein yield and higher N, P, K content, uptake and availability in soil over 0-0-0 kg N-P₂O₅ and K₂O ha^-1. The highest net return (₹ 37106 and ₹ 36303 ha^-1) and BCR (2.42 and 2.07) were realized with spacing 60 cm × 20 cm and fertility level 120-60-60 kg N-P₂O₅ and K₂O ha^-1 respectively.