Effect of Biofertilizers and Zinc Micronutrients on yield and Economics of Maize (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

The research work was done out during Kharif season of 2023 at the Crop Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, Naini Agricultural Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj U.P( India), to study the effect of biofertilizers and zinc sulphate on growth and yield of Maize. The treatments consist of Bio-fertilizers PSB, Azotobacter,( PSB) + Azotobacter and ZnSO4 (20, 25, 30 kg/ha) done under RBD with ten treatments and replicated three times. The soil of research trial plot was sandy loamy in texture, nearly neutral in soil reaction (pH 7.8), low in organic carbon (0.35%). The outcomes showed that the taller plants (159.03 cm), higher plant dry weight (162.70 g/plant), maximum crop growth rate (26.250 g/m2/day), number of cobs/plant (1.8), higher number of rows/cob (16.8), number of seeds per cob (553.4),were achieved by the application of PSB + Azotobacter + ZnSO4 30 kg/ha. Higher gross return (INR 1,49,119.5/ha), higher net return (INR 1,08,439.5.00/ha) and higher Benefit Cost ratio (2.66) were also obtained by the using of (Azotobacter 25 g/kg + PSB: 25 g/kg + 1% Zn+B 1 %).