Influence of Different Planting Methods and Mulching on Growth and Yield of Spring Maize (Zea mays L)

The field experiment was conducted to study the effect of different planting methods and mulching on the growth and yield of spring maize (Zea mays L)on sandy loam soil, low in organic carbon and available N and high in available P and K. The experiment was carried out in split plot design with twelve treatment combinations having three planting methods viz., single row on bed (SR), double row on bed (DR) and paired row on bed (PR) in main plots and four live mulch treatments in sub plots including control, moong, mash and cowpea replicated four times. The results indicated that different planting methods and mulching had a significant effect on the growth and yield components of spring maize. The planting of maize with double row on bed gave significantly higher plant height, periodic leaf area index, dry matter accumulation, number of cobs per plant, number of grains per cob, straw yield and harvest index. Test weight was not influenced significantly. Grain yield (kg/ha) were also significantly more in double row on bed over paired row on bed but single row on bed was at par with it. Among the mulch plots mulching with cowpea recorded the highest growth and yield components. Test weight was not influenced significantly. Grain yield (kg/ha) was recorded maximum in cowpea mulch plots followed by moong, mash and least was in control plot.