Influence of sulphur, phosphorus and farm yard manure on yield attributes and productivity of maize (Zea mays L.) in humid south eastern plains of Rajasthan

A field experiment was conducted during the kharif seasons of 2008 and 2009 on clay loam soil, to study the effect of sulphur, phosphorus and farm yard manure on yield attributes and yield of maize. Data indicated that all yield attributes, seed yield per plant, seed, stover and biological yield except shelling % and harvest index (%) of maize increased significantly as a result of sulphur application. Application of S @ 60 kg/ha recorded significantly higher seed, stover and biological yields over control and 30 kg S/ha by 29.08 & 10.99, 25.08 & 9.48 and 26.31 & 9.94 per cent, respectively. Application of 40 kg phosphorus significantly increased yield attributes and seed, stover and biological yields over 20 kg P₂O₅/ha and representing a mean increase of 13.63, 12.48 and 12.83 per cent, respectively. Application of 5t FYM/ha improved significantly the yield attributes and yield over no farm yard manure to the magnitude of 13.91 in seed, 11.23 in stover and 12.04 per cent in biological yield, respectively.