Influence of Plant Densities and Nitrogen Levels on the Performance of Popcorn Hybrid

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at the Maize Research Centre, Agricultural Research Institute (ARI), Rajendranagar, Hyderabad during the rabid seasons (15 October to 15 January) for two years to study the effect of plant densities and nitrogen levels on growth parameters, yield characteristics, yield and economics of the newly published popcorn hybrid BPCH-6 by Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agri-6 (Previously Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural University). Three plant densities (P1–1,11,111 ha-1 (60 x 15 cm), P2–1,11,111 ha-1 (45 x 20 cm) and P3–83,333 ha-1 (60 x 20 cm) and four levels of nitrogen (N1–80 kg ha-1, N2–120 kg ha-1, N3–160 kg ha-1 and N4–200 kg ha-1) were taken in a randomised block configuration with three repeated factorial principles.  Significantly higher plant height with a population of 1, 11,111 ha-1 (45x20 cm), significantly higher leaf area index with a population of 1, 11,111 ha-1 (60x15 cm) and significantly higher dry matter production (g plant-1) with a population of 83,333 plants ha-1 (60x20 cm) was observed as per pooled mean over two years.  Yield attributes like cob girth, number of rows cob-1 and 100 seed weight were not influenced significantly whereas cob length and number of seeds row-1 were significantly superior with optimum plant density of 83,333ha-1. A plant density of 1, 11,111 ha-1 (60x15 cm).  recorded significantly higher cob, grain fodder yields. When a population of 1, 11,111 plants ha-1 (60x15 cm) was maintained, gross and net returns and profit cost ratios were higher. The use of 200 kg of nitrogen ha-1 resulted in slightly higher growth parameters, yield characteristics and yield, but it was equal to 160 kg of N ha-1  and both were greater than 120 and 80 kg of N ha-1.. Application of 160 Kg N ha-1 recorded higher gross and net returns and benefit cost ratio compared to 200 Kg N ha-1.