Effect of Organic Manure and Zinc on Growth, Yield Attributes and Economics of Maize

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during Rabi 2022 season at Crop Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, Naini Agriculture Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, to study the response of organic manure and soil application of zinc on the growth, yield attributes and economics of maize. The treatment consists of three level of zinc sulphate (2, 4 and 6 kg/ha) vermicompost (12 t/ha), poultry manure (4 t/ha) and control. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with ten treatment and replicated thrice. The soil of the experimental field was sandy loam with pH (8.0), EC (0.56 ds/m), organic carbon (0.62%), available N (225 kg/ha), available P (38.2 kg/ha), and available K (240.7 kg/ha). The results showed that application of 50% poultry manure and 50% vermicompost along with zinc 6kg/ha recorded significantly higher plant height (208.33 cm), higher dry weight (89.90 g), number of cobs/plants (2.93), cob length (29.80 cm), number of seeds/cob (414.70). Maximum gross returns (254310.40 INR/ha), net returns (173950.40 INR/ha) and Benefit Cost (B.C) ratio (2.16).