Influence of seed rate on growth, yield and economics of hydroponic fodder maize production

An investigation was conducted at AICRP for Dryland Agriculture, University of Agricultural Science, GKVK, Bengaluru to record the influence of seed rate on growth, yield and economics of hydroponic fodder maize production during 2017–18. Experiment was laid with completely randomized design having five replications with six seed rate treatments viz., 1.50 (T₁), 1.75 (T₂), 2.00 (T₃), 2.25 (T₄), 2.50 (T₅) and 2.75 (T₆) kg m⁻². The study indicated that 2.50 kg m⁻² seed rate had significantly higher shoot length (29.42 cm), root length (26.58 cm), total dry matter per kg seed (1600 g), green fodder yield per kg seed (4672 g) and green fodder yield (11.49 kg m⁻²). But the quality attributes viz., crude fibre, total carbohydrate and crude protein content of fodder maize were not influenced by seed rates. The higher growth and yield attributes led to higher net returns (Rs. 144 m⁻²) and B: C ratio (2.00) under 2.50 kg m⁻² seed rate as compared to other seed rates/treatments.