Response of quality protein maize (Zea mays L.) cultivars to nitrogen levels

A field experiment was conducted at ASPEE Agricultural Research Development Foundation, Tansa Farm, District Thane (Maharshtra) during rabi season of 2002–03 to study the suitability of quality protein maize (Zea mays L.) varieties under varying nitrogen levels. Four varieties (Shaktiman-1, CML-142 x CML-150, CML-186 and Gangasafed-2) and five nitrogen levels (0, 60, 120, 180 and 240 kg N ha⁻¹) were evaluated. Gangasafed-2 registered the tallest plant, while Shaktiman-1 recorded the higher dry matter production. Shaktiman-1 proved it's superiority over other varieties in respect of yield attributes, viz. plant height, dry matter production, length of cob, girth of cob, grains cob⁻¹, grain weight cob⁻¹, 1000-grain weight and grain yield. Shaktiman-1 registered highest gross (35478 ha⁻¹) and net returns (14945 ha⁻¹) and benefit: cost ratio (1.72). Variety CML142 x CML-150 ranked second place in terms of yield attributes, yield and net returns. Increasing levels of nitrogen from0 to240 kg ha⁻¹ significantly increased the stover and grain yield as well as yield attributing characters of quality proteinmaizecultivars. Applicationof 240kg Nha⁻¹resulted in the highest net return, which was 6.81, 35.43, 67.34 and 165.52% higher than that of 180, 120, 60 kg ha⁻¹ and no nitrogen, respectively.