Effect of planting time, fertility level and phosphate-solubilizing bacteria on growth, yield and yield attributes of winter maize (Zea mays) under rice (Oryza sativa)-maize cropping system

An experement was conducted during winters of 2000–01 and 2001–02 to find out effect of planting time, fertility level and phosphate-solubilizing bacteria on winter maize (Zea mays L) after rice (Oryza sativa L.) at Varanasi, on sandy-loam soil conditions of eastern plain zone of Uttar Pradesh. Delay in planting from 15 December to 30 December decreased the maize yield by 19.25% with mean reduction of 82.7 kg maize yield/ha/day. Fertility level up to 180, 90 and 60 kg N, P₂O₆and K₂O/ha significantly improved growth, yield and yield attributes. On the basis of the 2 years average data (pooled), the increase in maize yield was 52.6 and 82.97% with 120, 60 and 40 kg N, P₂O₅ and K₂O/ha and 180, 90 and 60 kg N, P₂O₅ and K₂O/ha, respectively, over 60, 30 and 20 kg N, P₂O₅and K₂O/ha. Phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) inoculation alone or along with 5 tonnes FYM/ha and no-PSB inoculation also differed significantly with regarding to above parameters. The maximum maize yield was abtained with PSB inoculation along with 5 tonnes FYM/ha, whereas no-PSB inoculation gave the minimum maize yield.