Productivity and profitability of quality protein maize hybrids under graded fertility levels in coastal Andhra Pradesh

Abstract

Field study was conducted during rabi, 2023
24 to evaluate the performance of quality protein maize
(QPM) hybrids under graded fertility regimes. The trial
was laid out in a split-plot design with three fertility
levels in the main plots {100%, 125% and 150% of
recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF)} and four QPM
hybrids (APQH 1, APQH 5, HQPM 1 and HQPM 5) in
the sub-plots. Increasing fertilizer dose to 150% RDF
(360:120:120 kg N:P2
O5
:K2
O/ha) significantly improved
growth and yield parameters, resulting in higher grain
yield (8535 kg/ha), which was 18.5% higher over 100%
RDF, along with increased net returns (Rs. 1,08,727/ha),
representing a 28% gain over 100% RDF (Rs. 85,026/
ha), with a B:C ratio of 2.56. Among the tested hybrids,
HQPM 1 outperformed the others by registering the
highest grain yield (9110 kg/ha), stover yield (10453 kg/
ha) and economic returns (Rs. 1,22,805/ha net returns
with a B:C ratio of 2.81). Hence, cultivation of the QPM
hybrid HQPM 1 with 150% RDF is advisable for attaining
greater productivity and profitability during the rabi season
in coastal Andhra Pradesh.