Effect of Application of Various Inputs by the Farmers and the Yield of Spring Maize Hybrids

A study was conducted to assess the use of various inputs by farmers in the cultivation of spring maize and its impact on yield obtained as compared to the recommendations made by the research institutes. The data suggested that farmers in Kapurthala district mainly opt for spring maize hybrids namely DKC 9108, 31Y45, Dow 2244 and P 1844 and achieved an average gross return of Rs 70,104 to Rs.76,860/ha. It was observed that farmers were applying urea in recommended dose but the time of application was different than the recommendations. As per recommendations, urea needs to be applied in three equal splits during basal, vegetative and tasseling stage. While, farmers were applying 75 per cent urea only during vegetative stage and 24 per cent during tasseling stage. In case of DAP, 63 per cent of farmers were adding higher quantity of phosphorus fertilizer than the recommended dose. Insecticide application was not adopted by 32.3 per cent of the farmers, simultaneously herbicide application was not adopted by 50 per cent farmers and only 29 per cent farmers applied insecticide and herbicide both in their fields. It was also observed that grain yield of spring maize during spring 2015 was reduced to 11.9 per cent as compared to spring 2014 season.