Growth, Yield and Yield Components of Hybrid Maize (Zea mays L.) as Influenced by Different Nutrient Combinations Under Integrated Farming System

A field experiment was carried out during kharif season of 2011 at Integrated Farming System (IFS) unit, E and F Block of MARS farm, Raichur, Karnataka (India) to study the response of different nutrient combinations on growth, yield and yield components of irrigated Maize (Zea mays L.). The results revealed that among different nutrient combinations, IFS manure (5 t/ha) + V.C (2.5 t/ha) + 125% RDF recorded significantly higher grain yield (79.13 q ha⁻¹), stover yield (110 q ha⁻¹), grain weight per cob (279.36 g), number of grains cob⁻¹ (668.99), number of grains per row (37.67), grain rows cob⁻¹ (17.77) and cob length (23.63 cm). With respect to growth parameters, IFS manure (5 t/ha) + V.C (2.5 t/ha) + 125% RDF recorded significantly higher higher dry matter production (389.98 g plant⁻¹), plant height (236.60 cm), leaf area per plant (8599 cm²) and leaf area index (LAI) (4.7) over recommended dose of fertilizers (150:75:40 kg NPK ha⁻¹), IFS manure @ 5 t/ha, Vermicompost (V.C.) @ 2.5 t/ha and Poultry manure (P.M.) @ 1 t/ha.