Effect of nitrogen and phosphorus level on grain yield of forage maize (Zea mays L.) under rainfed condition of the Kymore plateau and Satpura hill zone of (Madhay Pradesh)

The field experiment, conducted during the Kharif season of three consecutive years of 2009, 2010 and 2011 to find out the suitable dose of nitrogen and phosphorus for the forage maize (Zea mays L.) variety “African tall” under rainfed condition, revealed that maize grain yield responded to N upto 80 kg ha⁻¹ in 2009 but significant increases up to 60 kg N ha⁻¹ was observed in 2011and on pooled basis. The highest net return (Rs. 8266 ha⁻¹) and benefit cost ratio (2.66) were observed with higher dose of N. Maize responded significantly up to 60 kg P₂O₅ ha⁻¹ only in 2009.