Evaluation of medium-maturity maize genotypes under varying planting densities and fertility levels

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at the Agricultural Research Station, Peddapuram, Kakinada District during kharif, 2019 on sandy loam soils to evaluate the performance of pre-release medium-maturity maize genotypes under varying planting densities and fertility levels. The experiment was laid out in a split-split plot design with three replications. The main plots comprised two planting densities viz., 60 × 20 cm and 50 × 20 cm. The sub-plots included two fertility levels viz., 100 per cent recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF)- 200:60:50 kg NPK/ha and 150% RDF (300:90:75 kg NPK/ha) and in the sub-sub plot, two genotypes viz., H1- INDAM 1122, H2 BIO - 9544© were tried. The results revealed that the maize genotype INDAM 1122, when planted at 50 × 20 cm spacing with 150% RDF, recorded the highest net returns (Rs. 83,891/ha) and benefit-cost (B:C) ratio (2.38). Moreover, maize genotype INDAM 1122 produced a 7.04% higher grain yield (8,247.6 kg/ha) compared to the check hybrid BIO 9544, which yielded 7,666.5 kg/ha. Thus, maize hybrid INDAM 1122 at 50 × 20 cm spacing with 150% RDF is recommended for realizing higher yield and profitability under Andhra Pradesh condition.