IMPACT OF DIFFERENT NPK LEVELS AND SOWING METHODS ON MAIZE GROWTH, YIELD, AND QUALITY CHARACTERISTICS

Crop management practices are crucially important to increased yield and quality. This research study was planned to investigate the effects of different levels of NPK and sowing methods on maize. Results showed that different NPK levels and sowing methods significantly affected the growth and yield traits of maize (p<0.05). The better results for plant height (cm), leaf area index, cob length (cm), grains per cob, 1000-grain weight, grain yield (kg ha-1), protein content (%) total sugars (%) and starch (%) were recorded when crop-fertilized NPK with 150-120-120 kg ha-1. However, all these parameters were marginally different compared to NPK rate of 120-90-90 kg ha-1, except for plant height (cm). This treatment produced significantly higher grain yield and quality traits of maize compared to lower and control treatment. Minimum values for plant height (cm), leaf area index, cob length (cm), grains per cob, 1000-grain weight, grain yield kg ha-1, protein content (%), total sugars (%) and starch (%) were noted in the control treatment. In case of sowing methods, ridge sowing produced maximum plant height (cm) , leaf area index, 50% days to tasselling and yield contributing characters like cob length (cm), grains cob-1, 1000-grain weight (g) and grain yield (kg ha-1) of maize as compared to broadcasting and drilling sowing methods. But sowing methods did not significantly affected the quality characteristics of maize, particularly protein content (%), total sugars (%) and starch (%). Among different sowing methods,  ridge sowing method produced the maximum grain yield kg ha-1 of maize as compared to drilling and broadcasting. Considering the results comprehensively, the NPK rate of 120-90-90 kg ha-1 under ridge method would be the best management practice for maize cultivation: