Impact of Environmental Modifications and Fertility Regimes on Nutritional Quality and Nutrient Use Efficiency of Quality Protein Maize (QPMH-1)

Abstract

Maize (Zea mays L.) is a globally important cereal crop, providing staple food for humans and feed for livestock. Although rich in carbohydrates and high in caloric energy, its protein is deficient in essential amino acids like lysine and tryptophan. Quality Protein Maize (QPM) has been developed to improve these nutritional limitations, offering enhanced protein quality while retaining the crop’s traditional benefits. The present study was conducted during Kharif season of 2023 at the Agronomy Research Farm, Division of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, SKUAST-K, Wadura, Sopore, to evaluate the effects of sowing dates and fertility levels on nutrient use efficiency and grain quality of Quality Protein Maize. The experiment was laid out in a split-plot design with three replications, comprising three sowing dates corresponding to the 16th, 19th, and 22nd Standard Meteorological Weeks as main-plot treatments, and four fertility levels including control, 75% RDF, 100% RDF, and 125% RDF as sub-plot treatments. The maize variety tested was Shalimar QPMH-1. The results indicated that sowing dates and fertility levels had no significant effect on nutrient concentration, but exerted a pronounced influence on nutrient uptake, nutrient use efficiencies, and grain protein content. Sowing on 12 May resulted in the highest nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium uptake in both grain and stover, along with superior agronomic, physiological, and recovery efficiencies. Among fertility treatments, application of 125% RDF recorded the maximum nutrient uptake and nutrient-use efficiencies, accompanied by enhanced grain protein and lysine content. The interaction between sowing during the 19th Standard Meteorological Week and application of 125% RDF proved most effective in enhancing nutrient utilization and grain quality, indicating this combination as the optimal agronomic practice for improving nutrient use efficiency and nutritional quality of Quality Protein Maize (QPMH-1) under the temperate agro-climatic conditions of the Kashmir Valley.