Author(s):

AP Bhagat, VM Bhale, BV Saoji, KJ Kubde, VK Kharche, PR Kadu and PN Patle

Abstract: A field experiment entitled “Response of fodder maize to irrigation regimes and fertilizer levels in summer season”<strong> </strong>was conducted at Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola during <em>Summer </em>season of 2017-18. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with four main plot and four sub plot treatments and three replications, in order to study the response of fodder maize to irrigation levels and fertilizer levels. The main plot treatments were : I1- Irrigation at 0.6 IW/CPE, I2- Irrigation at 0.8 IW/CPE, I3- Irrigation at 1.0 IW/CPE and I4- Irrigation at 1.2 IW/CPE and subplot treatments consisted of : F1-120:60:30 kg NPK ha-1, F2-120:60:30 kg NPK ha-1 + Vermicompost 5 t ha-1, F3 -180:90:60 kg NPK ha-1 and F4- 150:75:45 kg NPK ha-1. The gross plot size was 5.4m x 4.6 m and the net plot size was 4.5 m X 3.6 m. Sowing of the fodder maize was undertaken during 18th April, 2017. Sowing was done by dibbling method and the inter- cultivation practices were kept common as recommended. The final harvesting of green fodder was taken on 2nd July 2017. The experimental results revealed that the fodder maize performed best at 1.2 IW/CPE. All the growth attributes viz., plant height plant-1, number of functional leaves plant-1, leaf area plant-1 and dry matter weight plant-1 were observed to be the highest in irrigation provided at 1.2 IW/CPE, being at par with 1.0 IW/CPE in respect of all growth parameters except dry matter accumulation plant-1. Green fodder yield of maize was found to be the maximum at irrigation provided with 1.2 IW/CPE (55522 kg ha-1), being at par with irrigation at 1.0 IW/CPE (51120 kg ha-1). The irrigation levels at 0.6 IW/CPE recorded the highest water use efficiency of 7.25 kg ha-1mm-1. However, highest consumptive use of water 840 mm was recorded with irrigation levels at 1.2 IW/CPE. The fertilizer application with 180:90:60 kg NPK ha-1 recorded highest values for all the growth characters viz., plant height in cm, number of leaves plant-1, leaf area plant-1, dry matter accumulation plant-1. Significantly highest green fodder yield was recorded by fertilizer treatment 180:90:60 kg NPK ha-1 (47013 kg ha-1), being at par with fertilizer treatments 150:75:45 kg NPK ha-1 and 120:60:30 kg NPK ha-1+ Vermicompost 5 t ha-1.

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