Effect of fertility levels on growth, yield and soil fertility status of maize (Zea mays L.) in vertisol of Maharashtra

A field experiment was conducted at the experimental farm, AICRP on Integrated Farming Systems, Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani during 2014-15 to assess the nitrogen, phosphorus and zinc requirement for maize crop. The experiment was laid out in a split plot design using eight treatments with three replications. The main plot consists of three levels of Nitrogen i.e., 100 kg ha-1(N1), 125 kg ha-1(N2),150 kg ha-1(N3) with two Zinc levels viz.,25 kg ha-1(Z1), 35 kg ha-1(Z2) and sub plot comprised of three levels of 50 kg ha-1(P1), 75 kg ha-1(P2)and 100 kg ha-1(P3). Application of 150 kg N ha-1, 100 kg P ha-1 and 35 kg Zn ha-1 recorded significantly higher growth at 5% level of significance attributes viz., plant height (218.64), no. of functional leaves (11.30), leaf area plant-1 (65.07 cm2), total dry matter plant-1 (269.08) and grain yield (6705.8 kg ha-1), husk yield (1378.2 ha-1), spindle yield (1642.6 ha-1), stover yield (7161.0 ha-1) and biological yield (13866.8 ha-1). The nutrient status after harvest of maize was highest in the treatment combination of N3P3Z2 receiving 150 kg N ha-1, 75 kg P ha-1 and 35 kg ZnSO4 ha-1. But the result were at par with the treatment combination N2P2Z1 which received 125 kg N ha-1, 75 kg P ha-1 and 25 kg ZnSO4 ha-1. From the results, it was concluded that the maximum growth, yield, & post harvest nutrient status could be achieved by judicious application of chemical fertilizers (N, P & Zn).