Influence of plant population on nutrient dynamics, growth and quality of kharif maize (Zea mays L.) under diverse paired row planting arrangements

Abstract

A field experiment was carried out during kharif season of 2022 at the Regional Research Station of Punjab Agricultural University, located in Gurdaspur, Punjab. The study aimed to determine the optimal plant population and row arrangement for hybrid maize, focusing on its growth and quality, and the nutrient status of both soil and plants. The study comprised of twelve treatments including nine paired row treatments (sown on flat beds) of varying intra-row and inter-row spacing, and three different sowing methods treatments. The result revealed that close spaced paired row panted maize at 20-30 cm intra and 60-80 cm inter row spacing improved plant height, photosynthetically active radiation, and leaf area index. Various planting methods and population densities did not affect the crop reproductive cycle. Highest available soil N content (187.7 kg/ha) was recorded in sparsely planted plot (40 cm intra paired row distance, 100 intra paired row distance having least population of 71,428 plants/ha. Maize planting at 20-30 cm intra paired row distance and 60-80 cm inter paired row distance (90,909-1,25,000 plants/ha) improved maize yield by 15-25 per cent over conventional planting at 60 × 20 cm. These densely sown treatments also recorded increased plant uptake of N, P and K. Higher yield obtained from the paired row planted maize with deteriorating.