No abstract

The nutrient use efficiency of maize (Zea mays L.) due to NPK fertilization alone is low, while, an integrated use of nutrients enhances the uptake and efficiencies of applied nutrients. A field study was carried out to test the effect of fertilizer NPK, microbial seed treatment and panchagavya on grain yield, nutrient uptake and use efficiencies of relay cropped maize during the summer season of 2018 in Annamalai University Experimental Farm, Annamalainagar, Tamil Nadu. Thirteen treatments comprised of 100, 75 and 50% of RDF in combination with and without seed treatment of microbial consortia and 3% panchagavya foliar spray at knee high and pre-tasseling stages. The maximum grain yield, NPK uptake, physiological efficiency, internal efficiency and unit area efficiency were registered with integrated application of 100% RDF (250:75:75 kg N, P 2 O 5 and K 2 O/ha) along with seed treatment with microbial consortium and foliar application of panchagavya at knee high and pre-tasseling stages. However, grain yield and NPK uptake were statistically on par with integrated application of 75% RDF (188: 56: 56 N, P 2 O 5 and K 2 O kg/ha), seed treatment with microbial consortium (20 ml/kg) and 3% panchagavya foliar application at knee high and pre-tasseling stages. The agronomic efficiency, apparent nutrient recovery, value cost ratio was high in integrated application of 75% RDF, seed treatment with microbial consortium and 3% panchagavya foliar application at knee high and pre-tasseling stages and was considered as an effective agro-technology.

Aim: The present investigation was carried out to evaluate the suitable organic manure to sustain the soil fertility, yield of baby corn and also opt a best alternate crop for rice fallow pulses presumably in missing season.. Materials and Methods: Field experiments were conducted in the Experimental Farm of the Department of Agronomy, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar during summer and kharif season of 2017 in Randomized block design to study the response of baby corn (Zea mays L.) to different organic manures for their growth, yield attributes and cob and green fodder yield.. Result: Among the different treatments, RDF (150:60:40 kg NPK ha-1) had a positive effect on the growth, yield attributes, cob and green fodder yield in baby corn for I and II crops which was at par with the application of vermicompost @ 5 t ha-1. The lowest values of growth, yield attributes and yield were recorded by Farm compost @ 5 t ha-1. Conclusion: Application of fertilizer may be good in the short term for getting maximum yield and net income to the farmers; but, in the long run, to increase the corn quality and sustain the soil fertility, T3 vermicompost @ 5 t ha-1 treatment is the best and thus this practice can be recommended to the maize growing farmers in Tamil Nadu.