Response of maize (Zea mays L.) to foliar application of zinc and planting geometry

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during kharif season of 2018 at Crop Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, SHUATS, Allahabad to study the growth and yield of Maize (Zea mays L.) as influenced by foliar application of zinc and planting geometry. The experiment is comprised of Randomized Block Design with three replications and twelve treatments. It consisted of foliar applied Zn concentrations (control, 0.5%, 0.75% and 1.0%) and three planting geometry (30 x 30 cm, 45 x 20 cm and 60 x 15 cm). It was observed that T11 (1.0% Zn l-1 at 45 x 20 cm) gave highest plant height (174.99 cm). It also gave highest number of grains cob-1 (302.45), grain yield (9.34 t ha-1), test weight (284.19 g) and highest net return (₹ 121399.67 ha-1) and B:C ratio (3.24) indicating better yield attributes as compared to other treatments. However, T10 (1.0% Zn at 30 x 30 cm) was found to be more effective for higher stover yield up to 10.11 t ha-1.