Modulating Maize Productivity, Grain Quality and Economic Resilience through Conjoint Use of Phosphorus, Boron and Lime under Typic Hapludalf Soils

Abstract

Soil acidity is a pervasive obstacle to global crop productivity, profoundly restricting availability of essential nutrients especially, phosphorus (P) and boron (B). Addressing their deficiencies along with liming is the key to secure sustainable harvests. The present study explores the impact of graded applications of P, B and liming under maize in the Typic Hapludalf soils of Palampur region of Kangra valley, H.P. This endeavour tested graded doses of P (P0: 0, P1:45 and P2: 60 kg P ha-1) and B (B0: 0, B1: 1 and B2: 2 kg B ha-1) with 2 liming rates (L0: no lime and L1: 3.6 t ha-1) in a randomized completely block design replicated thrice. The study assessed their impacts on nutrient acquisition, quality and monetary returns with the hypothesis that maximum doses would prove their superiority. Significant interactions (P × L, B × L, P × B) were evident only for plant height. Grain and stover yields increased notably with 60 kg P and 2 kg B ha⁻¹. Liming boosted yields by about 13.4 and 18.7%, respectively over controls. Likewise, total nutrient uptake (N, P, K and B), protein content and protein yield also enhanced under same treatments. Economic analysis identified T18 (P2B2L1) as the highest yielding with net returns of ₹49681 but was, second in economic viability (B:C, 0.87), behind T5 (P1B1L0) with highest ratio (0.94).