Maize Growth, Yield, and Economic Returns as Influenced by Phosphorus and Defoliants in a Pigeonpea-Maize Cropping System under rainfed conditions in Telangana, India

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the effects of residual phosphorus and defoliant applications on the growth, yield, and economic aspects of maize cultivation in pigeon pea-maize cropping systems under rainfed conditions in Telangana. Phosphorus plays a fundamental role in plant growth and metabolism, influencing photosynthesis, root development, energy transfer, carbon assimilation, enzyme activity, signalling, and nucleic acid synthesis. It is critical for sustaining soil fertility, particularly in intensive agricultural systems, yet remains one of the least accessible nutrients in the soil. The field experiment was conducted at College Farm, PJTAU, Hyderabad, India during 2016-17 and 2017-18. The application of 20:75:0 N: P2O5:K₂O kg ha-1 + Defoliant (T7) resulted in the highest growth, yield, and economic returns, followed by 20:50:0 N: P2O5:K₂O kg ha-1 + Defoliant (T6), with significant differences from other treatments. T7 recorded the highest plant height (197.25, 198.59, and 202.82 cm in 2016-17; 198.09, 200.64, and 204.15 cm in 2017-18 at 60, 90 DAS, and harvest) and the highest leaf area index (0.54, 4.93, 4.53, and 2.11 in 2016-17; 0.53, 5.26, 4.73, and 2.30 in 2017-18 at 30, 60, 90 DAS, and harvest). The highest grain yield (7329 and 7498 kg ha⁻¹) and stover yield (10,260 and 10,782 kg ha⁻¹) were obtained with T7 in both years. The economic analysis confirmed T7 as the most profitable, with the highest gross margins, net returns, and benefit-cost ratio, while T6 followed as the next best treatment, demonstrating significant agronomic and economic benefits in the pigeon pea-maize cropping system.