AGRONOMIC RESPONSES OF MAIZE TO PLANT POPULATION AND NITROGEN AVAILABILITY-A REVIEW

Maize is one of the most important versatile cereal crops grown in tropical and temperate regions of the world. India ranks fifth in area and third in production and productivity among cereal crops. Potentiality of maize crop for its growth and development can be fully exploited by adopting suitable agronomic practices such as optimum spacing, fertilizers, soil conditions, growing season and water availability. The major plant nutrients N, P and K limit the normal plant growth. Increasing the productivity per unit area through agronomic management is one of the important strategies to enhance the productivity of maize. Keeping this in view an attempt was made to review the work done on the effect of plant population and N level on yield and economics of maize under irrigated as well as no-till conditions. In maize, the effect of plant density and N management was well documented.