Effect of Different Spacing and Nutrient Management on Growth and Yield of Maize: A Review

Abstract

Optimal plant density influenced by crop geometric/planting techniques factors are crucial in achieving high yield to maize. In addition, nutrient management further enhances productivity.  Increasing plant density can lead to higher grain yield per unit area, but it also reduces the yield per individual plant as the competition between plant to plant will increase. From different research it indicates that plant density lower than the optimum number result in higher productivity rate per plant but lower yield per area unit. After reviewing various research articles, it was concluded that the maximum growth and yield attributes of maize obtained with spacing 60: 20-30 cm. Highest nitrogen application up to 160 kg N per ha-1 by split application at sowing, 25 DAS and tasselling is most reliable to increase the maize productivity. The combined application of 70 kg ha-1 phosphorus and 60 kg ha-1 potassium is the most suitable to obtain the maximum growth and yield attributes such as plant height, number of leaves per plant, cob length, cobs per plant, dry matter accumulation and crop growth rate. Effective nutrient management, aligned with proper planting density, played a pivotal role in maximizing maize productivity, meeting the demands of a growing population, and contributing to sustainable agriculture.