Effect of integrated nutrient management on yield, quality, nutrient uptake, and soil properties of sweet corn (Zea mays convar) under lateritic soils of Konkan

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of biofertilizers and inorganic fertilizers on yield, quality, nutrient uptake, and soil properties of sweet corn during Rabi 2024-25 at the Research and Instruction Farm, Department of Agronomy, Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli. The study was laid out in a Randomized Block Design with eight treatments: absolute control (T1), biofertilizers only (T2), 100% RDF (T3), 100% RDF + biofertilizers (T4), 125% RDF (T5), 125% RDF + biofertilizers (T6), RDF through Konkan Annapurna Briquettes (KAB) (T7), and RDF through KAB + biofertilizers (T8). Results revealed that application of KAB + biofertilizers (T8) recorded the highest green cob yield of 26.42 t/ha with total sugar of 14.21%, while 125% RDF + biofertilizers (T6) recorded the highest dry fodder yield (15.86 t/ha), protein content (12.44%), and total N uptake (708.07 kg/ha). Further, post-harvest soil analysis indicated significantly higher available N (382.59 kg/ha) and P (3.53 kg/ha) with T8, Thus, integrated use of biofertilizers with inorganic fertilizers, particularly KAB + biofertilizers, proved most effective for sustainable sweet corn production in lateritic soils of Konkan.