Rainfed Popcorn Productivity as Influenced by Plant Densities and Nitrogen Levels

A field experiment was conducted during kharif seasons of 2011 and 2012 at Maize Research Centre, ARI, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad to study the influence of varying plant densities and nitrogen levels on growth parameters, yield attributes, yield and economics of first popcorn hybrid BPCH-6. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with factorial concept with three plant densities {P1-1,11,111/ha (60 x 15 cm), P2-1,11,111/ha(45 x 20 cm) and P3-83,333/ha (60 x 20 cm)} and four nitrogen levels (N1-80 kg/ha, N2-120 kg/ha, N3-160 kg/ha and N4-200 kg/ha) and replicated thrice. Mean data over 2 years indicated that plant height and leaf area index were significantly higher with high plant density of 1, 11,111/ha whereas dry matter production (g/plant) was significantly higher with 83,333/ha. Yield attributes like cob length, cob girth, number of rows per cob and number of seeds per row was significantly superior with low plant density of 83,333/ha. Hundred seed weight was not significantly influenced either by plant densities or nitrogen levels. On the contrary pooled data over 2 years revealed that cob, grain and fodder yields were significantly higher with a plant density of 1,11,111/ha. Gross returns, net returns and benefit-cost ratio were higher when a population of 1,11,111 plants/ha was maintained. Application of 200 kg nitrogen/ha had significantly higher growth parameters, yield attributes, yield and gross returns but it was on par with 160 kg N/ha and both were significantly superior over 120 and 80 kg N/ha whereas net returns and benefit-cost ratio were higher with 160 kg N/ha. Therefore, it is profitable to grow popcorn hybrid at a plant density of 1,11,111/ha (60 x 15 cm) with 160 kg N/ha in peri urban areas.