Effect of integrated nutrient management on growth, yield and quality of maize (Zea mays L) in temperate conditions

A field experiment was carried out for two consecutive kharif seasons of 2006 and 2007 on silty clay loam (6.8 pH, organic carbon 0.91% and available N, P and K of 236.06, 15.56 and 184.46 kg ha−1, respectively) to study the effect of inorganic fertilizers, organic manure and biofertilizers on growth, yield attributes, yield and quality of maize (Zea mays L. There was positive and significant increase in the leaf area index (7.03%), cob−1 length (50.5%), grain row cob−1 (41.73%), grains row (19.73%), grains cob−1 (14.44%), 1000 grain weight (2.21%), cob girth (19.50), grain yield (23.78%), stover yield (19.63%), protein (20.31%) and starch content (14.71%) of maize with increase in the levels of inorganic fertilizers from 60 to 100% of recommended dose of NPKZn. Application of 30 t FYM ha−1 had a favorable and significant effect on growth, yield attributes, yield, quality and total N, P and K uptake. Dual inoculation of seed with Azotobacter + Phosphorus Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB) also showed similar results.