Effect of Sowing Time and Integrated Nitrogen Management on Yield and Post-harvest Soil Nutrient Status of Black Glutinous Maize (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

Aim: To study the effect of sowing time and integrated nitrogen management on yield and post-harvest soil nutrient status of black glutinous maize (Zea mays L.). Study Design: Factorial randomized block design (FRBD). Place and Duration of Study: Experimental field of College of Agriculture, Central Agricultural University, Imphal, Manipur, pre-kharif season of 2018. Methodology: The treatment consisted of four different integrated nitrogen management practices and three sowing dates. Results: The result revealed that maximum cob length (16.97cm), cob girth (15.71cm), test weight (257g), grain yield (32.9 q/ha) and shelling % (80.31%) was observed in the treatment N3         (RDN- 75% through urea + 25% through FYM) among different integrated nitrogen management practices. The highest yield among different sowing dates was recorded on plants sown on 9th April (28.23 q/ha). The different integrated nitrogen management showed significant difference in residual nutrients and organic carbon in soil. Maximum available nitrogen (275.97 kg/ha), phosphorus (19.21 kg/ha), potassium (210.05 kg/ha) and organic carbon (1.10%) were observed in treatment N4 (RDN- 100% through FYM). Lowest values of nutrients under study were observed in treatment N1 where the crop received only chemical fertilizer.