Effect of Planting Time on Growth and Yield of Winter Maize (Zea mays L.) after Harvesting Rice

A study was conducted to assess the effect of planting time on growth and yield of winter maize (Zea mays L.) after harvesting rice for two successive winter season at Nyigam village, West Siang District near ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Arunachal Pradesh centre Basar. Two planting time viz 15^th and 30^th November were tested in three replications. After 90^th day stage of crop growth (120 DAS and maturity) the maize planted on 15^th November produced taller plants, more green leaves, leaf area, leaf area index and dry matter production plant⁻¹. Due to variation in the planting time, almost all the yield attributing characters i.e. cobs plant⁻¹, first and second cobs plot⁻¹, cob length and girth (cm), kernels row cob⁻¹, kernels row⁻¹, grains cob⁻¹, grain weight (g cob⁻¹), test weight (g), first and second cobs grain yield (kg plot⁻¹), shelling percentage, harvest index were affected and showed significant superiority in the crop planted on 15^th Nov. than sown on 25^th Nov. Higher grains and stover yields (kg ha⁻¹) were also observed in 15^th Nov. planting. In the maize planted on 15^th Nov nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) content in grain and stover found higher. The uptake of N, P and K by grain and stover as well as total uptake of nutrients by crop was more with 15^th Nov planting. However, the available N, P and K content in soil at harvest was more with 30^th Nov planting. In the grain of maize crop planted on 15^th Nov the grain quality parameters such as protein and carbohydrate percentage were found in higher amount.