Effect of Value Added Vermiwash on Yield and Economics of Kharif Maize (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

Sustainable nutrient management practices are gaining importance in maize cultivation because of rising fertiliser costs and concerns about soil and environmental health. Enriched vermiwash formulations containing beneficial microorganisms, botanical extracts and micronutrients may improve crop productivity and profitability. A field experiment was conducted at the Instructional Farm of GIET University, Gunupur, Rayagada, Odisha, during kharif 2025 to evaluate the effect of value-added vermiwash formulations on the yield and economics of kharif maize (Zea mays L.) variety DHM-206. The experiment comprised nine treatments arranged in a Randomised Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Treatments included plain water spray (T₁, control), plain vermiwash (T₂), vermiwash enriched with neem leaf extract, calotropis leaf extract, Pseudomonas + neem, and their combinations with zinc and boron (0.25% each), along with a Glyricidia leaf extract variant. Foliar sprays were applied at 45, 60 and 75 DAS with a uniform dose of 120:60:60 kg N:P₂O₅: K₂O ha⁻¹. Results showed that T₈ (vermiwash + 5% Pseudomonas + neem leaf extract + Zn + B at 0.25% each) recorded the highest kernel yield (9.10 t ha⁻¹), fresh stalk yield (9.93 t ha⁻¹), gross returns (₹2,27,500 ha⁻¹), net returns (₹1,38,604 ha⁻¹) and benefit-cost ratio (2.37), significantly outperforming the other treatments. Harvest index was inversely related to yield, with the lowest value under T₈ (47.82%) due to proportionally higher total biomass production. The study indicates the economic viability and productivity potential of enriched vermiwash as a sustainable foliar input for kharif maize cultivation in southern Odisha.