Vol. 11, Issue 1 (2022)

Author(s):
Brijesh Kumar and Tarence Thomas

Abstract:
4Fertilizers played a key role in raising food production. Nutrients present in a soil govern its fertility and control the yield of crops. Soil macronutrients are essential to maintain ecosystems and high crop yields. The field experiment was conducted on sandy loam texture soil at experiment farm of Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology & Sciences, Prayagraj to assess the impact of different levels of nitrogen and phosphorus on the growth and yield of maize (Zea mays L.) and Physico-Chemical properties of post- harvest soil in randomized block design (RBD) with nine treatments replicated thrice. The study consisted to three levels of Nitrogen (0,100 and 120 kg ha^-1 as Urea), Phosphorus (0, 80 and 100kg ha^-1 as SSP) and Potassium (60 kg ha^-1 as MOP). The parameters taken into consideration were Soil texture, EC, Organic carbon, Soil nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and plant analysis. The results revealed that the medium available nitrogen 256.32 kg ha^-1, high available phosphorus 28.23 kg ha^-1 and medium available potassium 246.00 kg ha^-1, pH 7.6, Organic carbon 0.26%, EC 0.24 dsm^-1 was recorded in post-harvest soil. The maximum plant height 215.99 cm, No. of leaves per plant. 12.44, No. of cobs per plant 2.22, grain yield 5.83 t ha^-1 and stover yield 13.12 t ha^-1 in 100 DAS was recorded with application of 120 kg N+ 100 kg P kg ha^-1 respectively. The application of optimum doses of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium was found highly beneficial for growth and yield of maize. There was a significantly increase in available nitrogen and phosphorus of the post- harvest soil.