Effect of spacing and fertilizer dose on growth, yield, quality and economics of fodder maize (Zea Mays)

Introduction

Maize (Zea mays L.), being one of the most popular dual crops grown widely in kharif season for grain as well as for fodder in India (Subrahmanya et al., 2017) [8] . India holds the seventh position in global maize production, contributing a modest 2.7 percent to the total global output of maize ( (Anonymous, 2024). India has largest animal population of the world and first position in milk production. However, milk productivity is less compared to developed countries due to shortage of green, succulent and nutritious fodder. Among fodder crops, maize (Zea mays L.) is the most important silage plants in the world because of its high yield, high energy forage produced with lower labour and machinery requirements than other forage crops (Kumar et al., 2016). Forage maize responds differently to spacing and fertilizer dose under different environmental and cultural factors which influence maize forage yield and quality. However, plant spacing and nitrogenous fertilizer application is considered most important factors which can increase fodder production significantly. Competition associated with different spacing alters plant morphology in various ways. As such there is a considerable scope for increasing yield by adjusting optimum plant spacing. An adequate supply of nutrients at each growth stage is highly essential for good yield and quality of fodder maize (Paul et al., 2019) [5] . NPK fertilization of maize influences DM yield by influencing leaf area index, leaf area duration and photosynthetic efficiency (Kumar et al., 2016) [4] .

Material and Methods

A field experiment was carried out at the Agronomy Research Farm, College of Agriculture, Nagpur, during the 2025-2026 kharif season. The investigation was conducted to determine the "Growth, yield and quality of fodder maize (Zea mays) as influenced by spacing and fertilizer dose". The experiment was laid out in Split Plot Design with three replications and twelve treatments. viz., two spacing 30 cm x 10 cm (S1) and 45 cm x 7 cm (S2) in main plot and six fertility levels in subplots (F1) 100% RDF (80:30:20 kg NPK ha -1 ), (F2) 125% RDF (100:37.5:25 kg NPK ha -1 ), (F3) 150% RDF (120:45:30 kg NPK ha -1 ), (F4)75% RDF (60 :22.5 :15 kg NPK ha -1 ) + 2% DAP spray at 20 DAS, (F5) 75% RDF (60 :22.5 :15 kg NPK ha -1 ) + 2% urea spray at 20 DAS and (F6) 75% RDF (60 :22.5 :15 kg NPK ha -1 ) + 2% DAP spray at 20 DAS + 2% urea at 40 DAS of recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF 80 :30 :20 kg NPK ha -1 ). The soil of the experimental site was clay in texture, low in available nitrogen, phosphorous and sulphur and rich in available potash. Organic carbon content was medium and soil reaction was slightly alkaline. Fodder maize PDKV-Aarambh (BMH 18-2) was sown on June 29, 2025 and harvested on August 26, 2025.

Results and Discussion

Effect of spacing Growth attributes

Spacing 30 cm x 10 cm recorded maximum and significantly higher plant height as compared to spacing 45 cm x 7 cm at 40 DAS and at harvest, fresh weight of leaves plant -1 (g) recorded maximum and significantly higher due to spacing 30 cm x 10 cm at 40 DAS. These results might be due to increased competition for light often causes plants to grow taller as they try to overtop neighbouring plants. These findings are accordance with the findings of Satpal et al. (2024) [6] . Leaf area plant -1 (dm 2 ) was recorded maximum and significantly influenced by spacing 30 cm x 10 cm at 40 DAS and at harvest but leaf area index was found maximum and significantly higher at all growth stages. While spacing 45 cm x 7 cm recorded maximum and significantly higher stem girth at 40 DAS and at harvest, leaf: stem ratio at 15 DAS, dry matter accumulation (g) plant -1 at 30 DAS. RGR of dry matter found maximum and significantly higher for 15 -30 DAS interval due to spacing 45 cm x 7 cm which was at par with spacing 30 cm x 10 cm and CGR of dry matter recorded maximum and significantly higher for 0 -15 DAS interval due to spacing 45 cm x 7 cm. These results might be due to the more space available under spacing 45 cm x 7 cm, reduced competition between rows, usually allows each plant more access to resources like sunlight, nutrients etc. resulting in maximum stem girth of plants. Shivakumar et al. (2022) [7] . also reported similar findings.

Yield and yield attributes

Spacing 30 cm x 10 cm recorded maximum and significantly higher total fresh weight (g) plant -1 at 40 DAS and at harvest respectively, moisture percent on fresh weight basis and green fodder yield (g) plant -1 at harvest. Highest green fodder yield (t) ha -1 was recorded due to spacing 30 cm x 10 cm and was at par with spacing 45 cm x 7 cm. The higher fodder yield under closer spacing (30 cm × 10 cm) might be the cumulative effect of more fresh weight, more leaf area, more plant population, higher plant height, higher fodder yield plant -1 . Wani et al. (2024) [10] . reported the highest green fodder yield due to 30 cm x 10 cm spacing than other two planting spacing.

Quality parameters

Wider spacing of 45 cm x 7 cm recorded numerically higher total digestible nutrients and crude protein (%) content while closer spacing of 30 cm x 10 cm recorded maximum and significantly higher crude fiber content at both 45 DAS and at harvest. Wider plant spacing improved forage quality due to reduced inter-plant competition, resulting in better nutrient accumulation and digestibility characteristics which enhance nitrogen accumulation in plant tissues and ultimately increases crude protein content and TDN. A similar trend was reported by Kumar et al. (2017) [3] . in fodder maize, where planting density significantly influenced quality parameters.

Economics

Closer spacing of 30 cm x 10 cm recorded maximum and significantly higher gross monetary return and net monetary return as compare to wider spacing of 45 cm x 7 cm. The higher benefit-cost (B:C) ratio of fodder maize was recorded under spacing of 30 cm × 10 cm as compare to wider spacing of 45 cm x 7 cm. The higher GMR and NMR under closer spacing (30 cm × 10 cm) might be due to higher plant population per unit area, which resulted in more green fodder yield per hectare. Bharti et al. (2019) [2] . also found highest and significantly superior gross return under the spacing of 30 cm x 20 cm over all plant spacing.

Effect of fertilizer dose Growth parameters

Higher fertilizer dose F3 150% RDF (120:45:30 kg NPK ha⁻¹) recorded maximum and significantly higher plant height, stem girth, fresh leaf weight (g) plant -1 , fresh weight of stem (g) plant - 1 recorded at 40 DAS and at harvest as compare to all other fertilizer treatments and was at par with fertilizer dose F1 100% RDF (80:30:20 kg NPK ha -1 ), F2 125% RDF (100:37.5:25 kg NPK ha -1 ) and F6 75% RDF (60 :22.5 :15 kg NPK ha -1 ) + 2% DAP spray at 20 DAS + 2% urea at 40 DAS. The maximum and significantly higher leaf area index recorded with application of higher fertilizer dose treatment F3 150% RDF (120:45:30 kg NPK ha⁻¹) at 40 DAS and was at par with fertilizer dose F1 100% RDF (80:30:20 kg NPK ha -1 ), F2 125% RDF (100:37.5:25 kg NPK ha - 1 ), F5 75% RDF (60 :22.5 :15 kg NPK ha -1 ) + 2% urea spray at 20 DAS and F6 75% RDF (60 :22.5 :15 kg NPK ha -1 ) + 2% DAP spray at 20 DAS + 2% urea at 40 DAS. While leaf area plant -1 , number of leaves plant -1 and dry matter accumulation plant -1 was not significantly influenced by fertilizer dose at any crop growth stages but numerically maximum values recorded due to application of higher fertilizer dose treatment F3 150% RDF (120:45:30 kg NPK ha⁻¹). Leaf stem ratio not significantly influenced by fertilizer dose at harvest. RGR and CGR of dry matter recorded numerically highest due to application of higher fertilizer dose treatment F3 150% RDF (120:45:30 kg NPK ha⁻¹) for 40 DAS -harvest interval. Higher fertilizer dose leading to higher vegetative growth, especially nitrogen play an important role on vegetative growth of plant which improved leaf size, chlorophyll content and photosynthetic efficiency. Varma et al. (2022) [9] . also reported significantly higher growth attributes like plant height due to 150% RDF than other treatments.

Yield and yield attributes F3 150% RDF (120:45:30 kg NPK ha⁻¹) recorded maximum and significantly higher total fresh weight plant -and fodder yield (g) plant -1 at harvest among all other fertilizer treatments and was at par with F1 100% RDF (80:30:20 kg NPK ha -1 ), F2 125% RDF (100:37.5:25 kg NPK ha -1 ) and F6 75% RDF (60 :22.5 :15 kg NPK ha -1 ) + 2% DAP spray at 20 DAS + 2% urea at 40 DAS. The green fodder yield (t) ha -1 also recorded maximum and significantly higher due to application of higher fertilizer dose treatment F3 150% RDF (120:45:30 kg NPK ha⁻¹) as compare to all other fertilizer treatments and was at par with F1 100% RDF (80:30:20 kg NPK ha -1 ) and F2 125% RDF (100:37.5:25 kg NPK ha -1 ). While maximum moisture percent on fresh weight basis recorded numerically higher at harvest due to fertilizer dose treatment F1 100% RDF (80:30:20 kg NPK ha⁻¹). Application of higher fertilizer doses increased the availability of essential nutrients, particularly nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, which enhanced chlorophyll formation, photosynthetic efficiency, leaf area development, stem elongation, and dry matter accumulation. Wani et al. (2024) [10] . also reported among nitrogen levels, the highest green fodder yield (538.89 q ha -1 ) with application of 150% RDN.

Quality parameters

Total digestible nutrients (TDN %) and crude protein (%) content recorded maximum and significantly higher at 45 DAS and at harvest due to application of higher fertilizer dose treatment F3 150% RDF (120:45:30 kg NPK ha⁻¹) however TDN % was at par with F2 125% RDF (100:37.5:25 kg NPK ha -1 ), F4 75% RDF (60 :22.5 :15 kg NPK ha -1 ) + 2% DAP spray at 20 DAS and F6 75% RDF (60 :22.5 :15 kg NPK ha -1 ) + 2% DAP spray at 20 DAS + 2% urea at 40 DAS while the application of F4 75% RDF (60:22.5:15 kg NPK ha -1 ) + 2% DAP spray at 20 DAS recorded maximum and significantly higher crude fiber (%) content at harvest and was at par with F6 75% RDF (60 :22.5 :15 kg NPK ha -1 ) + 2% DAP spray at 20 DAS + 2% urea at 40 DAS. The increase in TDN might be due to higher nutrient uptake and higher available nutrients. These findings are in agreement with Kumar et al. (2017) [3] . who reported that increasing fertility levels significantly improved fodder quality parameters. Adequate nutrient supply promotes better growth and accumulation of plant constituents, resulting in higher values of the parameter studied. Wani et al. (2024) [10] . also recorded significantly highest protein content (9.75%) due to 150% RDN than 125% RDN and 100% RDN. The present result 150% RDN are in conformity with the above result.

Economics

Application of higher fertilizer dose F3 150% RDF (120:45:30 kg NPK ha⁻¹) recorded maximum and significantly higher gross monetary return and net monetary return and was at par with application of F2 125% RDF (100:37.5:25 kg NPK ha -1 ) and F1 100% RDF (80:30:20 kg NPK ha -1 ). The higher benefit-cost (B:C) ratio of fodder maize was recorded under application of 150% RDF (120:45:30 kg NPK ha⁻¹). The higher GMR under 150% RDF might be due to increased fodder yield due to balanced nutrient supply. Adequate nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium improved vegetative growth, biomass production and fodder yield, resulting in greater income. Bharti et al. (2019) [2] . also found highest and significantly superior gross return with the application of 150% N kg ha -1 as compare to other fertilizer levels.

Interaction effect Growth parameters

Growth parameters like stem girth, leaf: stem ratio, fresh leaf weight (g) plant -1 , Fresh weight of stem (g) plant -1 , leaf area plant - 1 leaf area index, number of leaves plant -1 , dry matter accumulation plant -1 , RGR and CGR of dry matter found nonsignificantly influenced by interaction of spacing and fertilizer treatments at all observation stages, while interaction of spacing 30 cm x 10 cm with 75% RDF (60:22.5:15 kg NPK ha -1 ) + 2% DAP spray at 20 DAS (S1 x F4) fertilizer treatments recorded significantly influenced for plant height at 40 DAS and at harvest and was at par with the all the fertilizer management practices with 30 cm x 10 cm.

Yield and yield attributes

At harvest, total fresh weight (g) plant -1 was maximum and significantly higher due to interaction of spacing 30 cm x 10 cm with 100% RDF 80:30:20 kg NPK ha -1 (S1 x F1) and was at par with S1 x F2, S1 x F3, S1 x F4, S1 x F5 and S1 X F6. At harvest, the moisture content (%) in plant on fresh weight basis was maximum and significantly higher due to interaction of spacing 30 cm x 10 cm with 75% RDF 60:22.5:15 kg NPK ha -1 + 2% urea spray at 20 DAS (S1 x F5) and was at par with S1 x F1, S1 x F2, S1 x F3, S1 x F4 and S1 x F6. At 40 DAS, green fodder yield (g) plant -1 was maximum and significantly higher due to interaction of spacing 30 cm x 10 cm with 75% RDF 60:22.5:15 kg NPK ha -1 + 2% DAP Spray at 20 DAS (S1 x F4) and was at par with all the interactions except S2 x F4, S2 x F5 and S2 x F6. At harvest, green fodder yield (g) plant -1 was maximum and significantly higher due to interaction of spacing 45 cm x 7 cm with 120% RDF 100:37.5:25 kg NPK ha -1 (S2 x F2) and was at par with all other interactions except S2 x F1, and S2 x F3. While, interaction effect between spacing and fertilizer levels on green fodder yield (t) ha⁻¹ was found to be nonsignificant.

Quality parameters

The interaction effect between spacing and fertilizer levels on TDN content, crude protein (%) content and crude fiber (%) was found to be not significant at 45 DAS and at harvest.

Economics

GMR and NMR was not significantly influenced by interaction effect of spacing and fertilizer dose.

Conclusion

The present study evident that spacing 30 cm x 10 cm and among fertilizer treatments 100% RDF found best for the growth, yield, quality and economics of fodder maize as compare to all other treatments.

Acknowledgement

Acknowledgement I am sincerely thankful to Dr. D. D. Mankar, Chairman of advisory committee and Professor of Agronomy (CAS), Agronomy Section, College of Agriculture Nagpur, Dr. V. S. Khawale, Professor of Agronomy, Agronomy Section, College of Agriculture Nagpur Agronomy Farm, College of Agriculture, Nagpur, Dr. P. D. K. V. Akola, (MH) for providing research farm for my experimental trail.

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