Effect of organic and inorganic sources of nutrients on yield attributes and yield of hybrid maize (Zea mays L.)

Field experiments were carried out to study the effect of different sources of organic manures and inorganic fertilizers on yield attributes and yield of hybrid maize at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Kallakurichi during Rabi 2023 and 2024. The experiments were laid out in split-plot design consisting of twelve treatments with 3 replications. The main plot consisted of Farm yard manure @ 12.5 t ha^-1 (M1), Vermicompost @ 5.0 t ha^-1 (M2), Fish pond silt @ 5.0 t ha^-1 (M3) and Composted poultry manure @ 5.0 t ha^-1 (M4) and sub plot consisted of 100 per cent recommended dose of fertilizers NPK (S1), 75 per cent recommended dose of NPK (S2) and 50 per cent of recommended dose of NPK (S3). Results revealed that application of vermicompost @ 5.0 t ha^-1 (M₂) recorded significantly higher cob length (22.0 and 22.0 cm), higher cob weight (202.6 and 208.6 g), higher number of grains cob^-1 (456.8 and 472.8) and higher grain yield (5614 and 5789 kg ha^-1) and higher stover yield (9291 and 9545 kg ha^-1) as compared to other organic manures treatment in both the years. It was followed by composted poultry manure @ 5.0 t ha^-1 (M₄) and FYM @ 12.5 t ha^-1 (M₁) in both the years. In addition, application of recommended dose of 100 per cent NPK (S₁) significantly registered higher cob length (20.9 and 21.5 cm), higher cob weight (192.4 and 199.5 g), higher number of grains cob^-1 (439.2 and 450.9) and higher grain yield (5489 and 5618 kg ha^-1) and higher stover yield (9125 and 9286 kg ha^-1) over 75 and 50 per cent of NPK levels in both the years. It was on par with the application of 75 per cent recommended NPK (S₂) in both years. However, the interaction between organic manures and fertilizer levels were not significant on number of grains cob^-1, grain yield and stover yield of hybrid maize but significant on cob length, cob weight. The study showed that hybrid maize responded well in terms of yield attributes, grain yield and stover yield by the application of vermicompost @ 5.0 t ha^-1 and 75 per cent recommended dose of NPK fertilizers.