Influence of Fertilizer Levels and Mycorrhiza on Yield Attributes, Yield and Grain Quality of Hybrid Maize

A field experiment was conducted at Agricultural Research Station, Bhavanisagar during kharif 2009 to study the influence of mycorrhizal inoculation and fertilizer levels on the yield and grain quality of hybrid maize under irrigated condition. The experiment was laid out in a factorial randomized block design with four replications. Four fertilizer levels viz., 200:100:100, 150:100:100, 200:75:100 and 150:75:100 NPK kg ha -1 were the treatments under factor 'A'. Two mycorrhizal treatments viz., no inoculation of mycorrhiza (control) (M - ) and inoculation of mycorrhiza (M + ) were included under factor 'B'. The results revealed that application of 200:100:100 NPK kg ha -1 recorded higher yield attributes, yield and higher crude protein content. Among the mycorrhiza, mycorrhizal inoculated treatments recorded higher grain and stover yield. Regarding the treatment combinations, application of 150: 75:100 NPK kg ha -1 along with mycorrhizal inoculation recorded significantly higher yield parameters and yield. However, the yield was comparable with 200:75:100 NPK kg ha -1 along with mycorrhizal inoculation. Higher dose of NPK resulted in higher crude protein content but starch content showed a declining trend.