Comparative studies on response of Maize (Zea mays) crop to organic and straight chemical fertilizers.

Field experiment was conducted at the outdoor nursery of School of Earth Sciences, Department of Environmental Science, Solapur University, Solapur. The objectives of the experiments were to evaluate the effects of organic fertilizers in comparison with chemical fertilizer on Maize growth in terms of growth parameters. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Block Design and replicated three times. Plot size used for the experiment was 2m x 1m (2m²). Application of vermicompost, NADEP compost, pit compost at the rates of 1kg (@ 0.5kg/sq. m), 1.25 kg (@0.625kg/sq. m) and 1.25 kg (@0.625kg/sq. m) respectively used to the plots one month prior as per required experimental treatments. Straight chemical fertilizers such as urea, single super phosphate and murate of potash were combinelly used according to the recommended doses of fertilizers. The field study revealed that T₁-vermicompost @ 1 kg (@0.5kg/sq. m) had higher yield per plot than remaining fertilizers treatments. The treatment T₂ receiving recommanded dose 1.25 kg (@0.625kg/sq. m) showed maximum crop height (175.26cm) and fruit length/crop (19.95 cm/crop) at growth period of 90 days after sowing. Maximum average dry weight in terms of grains of fruits (gm/fruit/crop), weight of 100 grains (gm) and yield/plot were recorded after 90 days in (T₁) at recommended dose @ 1 kg (@0.5kg/sq. m).