Effect of Planting Methods and Fertility Level on Growth of Hybrid Maize

A field study was conducted to assess the growth behaviour of hybrid maize variety Allrounder under different planting methods and nutrient levels. The treatments comprised of three planting methods i.e. flat sowing in single row at 70 cm spacing, in double-rows on strips of 105 cm wide and on ridges at 70 cm spacing. The nutrient levels tested were 250 kg N, 250 kg N + 150 kg P, 250 kg N + 150 kg P + 100 kg K, 250 kg N + 150 kg P + 100 kg K + 15 kg S, 250 kg N + 150 kg P + 100 kg K + 15 kg Mg and 250 kg N + 150 kg P + 100 kg K + 15 kg S + 15 kg Mg/ha. Leaf area index (LAI) of 4.21, dry matter (DM) of 1377.61 g/m², crop growth rate (CGR) of 30.11 g/m²/day and net assimilation rate (NAR) of 7.08 g/m²/day were found significantly higher (P<0.05) in crop sown on ridges than on flat surface. The effect of application of sulphur was significant on growth parameters of maize as LAI, DM, CGR and NAR were higher in treatments where 15 kg S was applied along with 250 -150 kg NP than NP alone. The effect of application of S or Mg or both S + Mg to NPK 250--150-100 kg/ha was significant in terms of increase in growth of maize than NPK alone.