Indian Journal of Agricultural Research
SCOPUSWeb of Science
  • Year: 2026
  • Volume: 60
  • Issue: 5

Effect of Zinc-Urea Foliar Application on Yield Parameters of Fodder Maize (Zea mays L.)

  • Author:
  • Sudip Bhaumik1, Rajeev1*, Rohit Kumar2, Shubh Laxmi3, Rajneesh Bhardwaj4, Vineet Kumar5, Alka Sahrawat6, Byreddy Jaswanth Reddy1
  • Total Page Count: 8
  • Page Number: 702 to 709

1Department of Agronomy, School of Agriculture, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara-144 401, Punjab, India.

2Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, GLA University, Mathura-281 406, Uttar Pradesh, India.

3Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur-813 210, Bihar, India.

4Graphic Era Hill University, Dehradun-248 002, Uttarakhand, India.

5Department of Soil Science, School of Agricultural Sciences, IIMT University, Meerut-250 001, Uttar Pradesh, India.

6Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, School of Allied and Health Care Sciences, GNA University, Phagwara-144 401, Punjab, India.

*Corresponding Author: Rajeev, Department of Agronomy, School of Agriculture, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara-144 401, Punjab, India. Email: rajeev.26421@lpu.co.in

Abstract

Fodder maize is a demanding crop that requires a lot of minerals to meet its nutritional demands, the misuse of chemical fertilizers has decreased the fertility of the soil. Nevertheless, using large amounts of fundamental nutrients should not adversely affect the soil’s health. In light of these considerations, the current study was directed to identify the most effective management strategy to increase fodder maize growth in Punjab conditions.

The experimental site was Eastern India, which falls under the zone of Northern Plain of agro-climatic zones of Punjab. The experiment consisted of three replications and was set up using a randomized block design (RBD). Two different treatment levels of urea (1% and 2%) and two different treatment levels of zinc (0.25% and 0.50%), together with recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) and an absolute control, were applied to the fodder maize crop. These treatments were employed and organized into nine distinct treatment combinations.

The best results were found at 65 DAS from the treatment of T9 (RDF + 2% urea + 0.50% zinc), the plant height (104.11 cm), leaf length (71.16 cm), root volume (39.17 cm3), fresh weight (299.32 g), number of leaves (12.67), internode distance (6.78 cm), chlorophyll content (64.18 μmol.m-2) and stem girth (3.02 cm), respectively.

Keywords

Fodder growth, Fodder maize, Fodder productivity, Urea, Zinc