Standardization of Agro-techniques for Enhancing Growth and Yield in Pre-released Maize Hybrids

Maize is a staple crop of significant importance in global food systems, contributing to both food security and economic stability. Optimizing agronomical practices for hybrid maize varieties is essential to enhance productivity, and to standardize agro-techniques for pre-released maize hybrids to maximize yield and profitability the following field experiment was conducted at M block, Agroforestry unit, GKVK, UAS, Bangalore during kharif-2023. The experiment was laid out in factorial randomized complete block design consisting of three factors viz., two hybrids (MAH 14–5 and MAH 15–84), two spacings (45 cm × 30 cm and 60 cm × 30 cm) and three nutrient levels (100 % RDF, 125 % RDF and 150 % RDF) with 12 treatment combinations replicated thrice. Among hybrids, MAH 15–84 recorded significantly higher plant height (220.7 cm), total dry matter production (253.6 g plant⁻¹), kernel yield (7738 kg ha⁻¹) and stover yield (10290 kg ha⁻¹). Wider spacing of 60 cm × 30 cm recorded significantly higher plant height (221.6 cm), total dry matter production (253.6 g plant⁻¹), kernel yield (8354 kg ha⁻¹) and stover yield (11110 kg ha⁻¹). Application of 150 per cent RDF recorded significantly higher plant height (220.4 cm), total dry matter production (254.9 g plant⁻¹), kernel yield (8259 kg ha⁻¹) and stover yield (10984 kg ha⁻¹). Higher gross returns ( 216744 ha⁻¹), net returns ( 163547 ha⁻¹) and B:C ratio (4.07) was observed in MAH 15–84 hybrid with spacing of 60 cm × 30 cm under 150 per cent RDF.