Response of popcorn (Zea mays everta) varieties to varying plant densities and fertility levels

A field experiment was conducted during the rainy season of 2013 and 2014 at Instructional Farm, Rajasthan College of Agriculture, Udaipur, to ascertain suitable popcorn (Zea mays everta) variety, its fertility level and plant density. Treatments consisted 3 popcorn varieties, (‘VL Amber Popcorn’, ‘Bajaura Popcorn’ and ‘Amber Popcorn’), 3 fertility levels, viz. (90 + 30 and 110 + 40 kg N + P2O₅/ha) and site-specific nutrient management (SSNM) based fertility level, viz. (134 + 52 kg N + P2O₅/ha) and 2 plant densities, viz. (66, 666 and 83, 333 plants/ha). The soil of experimental site was having medium fertility status. Pooled results indicated that highest values of growth, yield-attributing parameters, grain (1.62 t/ha), stover yield (2.47 t/ha), net returns (× 10³65.21/ha and benefit: cost ratio 3.29) were obtained with ‘VL Amber Popcorn’. Application of SSNM-based fertility level improved the growth, yield components and consequently the grain (1.68 t/ha), stover (2.65 t/ha) over rest of the fertility levels and proved economically beneficial with the highest net return (×10³68.03/ha) and B: C ratio (3.34). Significantly highest grain (1.55 t/ha), stover (2.39 t/ha), net returns (×10³61.51/ha) and benefit: cost ratio (3.09) recorded under 83, 333 plants/ha, being significantly higher than those with 66, 666 plants/ha. At harvesting experimental soil with ‘VL Amber Popcorn’ had significantly lower N and P status; however, K status of soil did not vary significantly. At harvesting, SSNM-based fertility level had significantly higher N and P content of soil. The K status of did not differ significantly under varying fertility levels. Likewise, plant densities did not influence N, P and K status of soil.