Effect of nitrogen and farmyard manure application on maize (Zea mays) varieties

A field experiment was conducted during the rainy (kharif) seasons of 1996 and 1997 at Salooni, Himanchal Pradesh, to study the response of 3 maize (Zea mays L.) varieties to nitrogen and farmyard manure (FYM) application under rainfed condition. Among the varieties, ‘Salooni Local’ recorded the highest plant height, cob length, grains/cob and 100-grain weight, resulting in higher grain and stover yields. Application of 90 kg N and 15 tonnes FYM/ha resulted in the maximum plant height, cob length, grains/cob, grain weight, harvest index and thereby higher yields. Maximum agronomic efficiency was recorded with application of 45 kg N and 15 tonnes FYM/ha.