Effect of Decomposed Crushed Seeds, Oil Cakes and Deoiled Cakes of Neem on Growth and Development of Maize (Zea mays)

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to study the “Effect of decomposed crushed seeds, oil cakes and deoiled cakes of neem on maize (Zea mays)” under the greenhouse condition. The three forms of neem cakes were subjected to decomposition for a period of 30, 60 and 90 days in a plastic containers of capacity five kg. The chemical composition of deoiled cake was 4.51 % N, 0.79 % P, 1.40 % K, 57 ppm Zn, 640 ppm Fe, 1.40 ppm Ca and oil content 1.09 % while in oil cake and crushed seeds 4.21 and 3.99 % N, 0.71 and 0.64 % P, 1.30 and 1.10 % K, 49 and 43 ppm Zn, 630 and 633 ppm Fe, 1.40 and 1.30 ppm Ca and oil content 10.27 and 22.53 % respectively. The Plant height, root length, fresh weight, dry weight and chlorophyll (SPAD) has increased by increasing number of days of decomposition and the significant increase was observed in deoiled cake at 90 days of decomposition as compare to oil cake and crushed seeds at 30, 60 and 90 days of decomposition.