Influence of Targeted Yield Approach on Yield, Yield Attributes, Nutrient Uptake and Economics of Maize

The experiment was conducted during kharif 2011 in sandy clay loam soil at Zonal Agricultural Research Station, UAS, GKVK campus, Bengaluru, Karnataka to study yield attributes, nutrient uptake and yield of maize (Zea mays L.) hybrid NAH 1137 (Hema) and economics of maize cultivation as influenced by nutrient management through various fertilization approaches. The investigation consisted SSNM through fertilizers for targeted yield of 8 and 10 t ha-1, SSNM through INM for targeted yield of 8 and 10 t ha-1, STCR through fertilizers for targeted yield of 8 and 10 t ha-1, STCR through INM for targeted yield of 8 and 10 t ha-1. These eight treatments were compared with 100 per cent RDF and100 per cent RDF + FYM @ 10 t ha-1, and were replicated thrice. Among the treatments, SSNM through fertilizers for targeted yield of 10 t ha-1 recorded higher dry matter production (501.4 g), cob length (20.3 cm), number of grain rows cob-1 (20.5), number of grains row-1 (41.3), number of grains plant-1 (891.2) test weight (32.9 g) and significantly higher grain yield (9.77 t ha-1) as compared to other treatments. Whereas, significantly lower cob length (16.5 cm) number of grain rows cob-1 (13.6), number of grains row-1 (31.4), number of grains plant-1 (426.7) test weight (21.4 g), Grain yield (4.04 t ha-1) were recorded in the treatment with the application of 100 % RDF. Significantly higher nutrient uptake (504.8, 103.1 and 212.3 N, P and K kg ha-1) was recorded in SSNM through fertilizers for targeted yield of 10 t ha-1 over 100 % RDF (219.4, 32.2 and 73; N, P and K kg ha-1) and economics.