Department of Soil Conservation and Water Management, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture & Technology, Kanpur, (U.P.).
A field experiment was conducted during Kharif 2001 and 2003 on light textured soil at Kanpur to evaluate the effect of fertility levels and moisture conservation practices on yield and economics of maize variety “Azad Uttam” under rainfed condition. Results revealed that the highest average grain (25.59 q/ha) and fodder (78.42 q/ha) yields were observed under the application of 80kg N + 40 kg P2O5 + 40 kg K2O + 30 kg ZnSO4/ha which was significantly higher to the tune of 19.08 & 15.77 and 94.90 & 80.82 than that of 40 kg N + 20 kg P2O5 + 20 kg K2O + 15 kg ZnSO4/ha and control, respectively. The highest gross return, net return and cost: benefit ratio were also obtained under this treatment. The highest grain and fodder yields of 23.33 and 72.07 q/ha, respectively were obtained under ridging and furrowing + dry grass mulching in between the crop rows after 20 days of sowing was significantly superior than other moisture conservation practices. In addition, cost of cultivation and gross return were also notices more. However, ridging and furrowing treatment resulted in the highest net return and cost: benefit ratio.
