Study about the interaction effects on varieties and plant geometry on growth and yield of hybrid and composite maize (Zea mays L.) on rabi season

An experiment was conducted at Agronomy research Farm of C.S.A University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur (U. P), during winter season in 2010-11 and 2011-12. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three replications. The main plots were occupied by maize hybrid (cv DHM-117) and composite (cv Madhuri) along with three plant geometry, 45cm x 20 cm (1,11,111 plants/ha), 60cm x 20 cm (83,3,33 plants/ha) and 60cm x 25 cm (66,6,66 plants/ha) and sub plot was allotted by three fertility levels viz, F1- N, 120 kg, P2O5, 60 kg, K2O, 40 kg and ZnSo4, 15 kgha-1, F2 - N, 150 kg, P2O5, 80 kg, K2O, 60 kg and ZnSo4, 20 kgha-1 and F3 - N, 180 kg, P2O5, 100 kg, K2O, 80 kg and ZnSo4, 25 kgha-1. The experiment results revealed that all the growth and yield parameters like plant height (cm), number of leaves/plant, dry weight (g/m2) and leaf area index (LAI), maize grain and stover yield (t/ha) and harvest index % (HI%) at harvest stage were found significant interaction between varieties and plant geometry. The maize hybrid was found better than Composite in among parameters. Plant geometry 60cm x 20cm was obtained significantly maximum yield (6.7 t/ha) compared to plant geometry 45cm x 20cm (6.20 t/ha), 60cm x 25cm (6.15 t/ha), respectively. In various fertility levels F1 was found superior followed by F2 and F3 treatments, respectively. While the harvest index (%) and Shelling (%) were did’t found significant in among the treatments.