Dry Matter Accumulation and Physiological Growth Parameters of Maize as Influenced by Different Nutrient Management Practices

Background: Maize, which is an important cereal for its yield potential and it can be influenced by various agronomic factors. In hybrid maize, dry matter accumulation and leaf area index are strongly affected due to applied nutrients. The amount of dry matter accumulation is directly related to the grain yield. The present study has been conducted with a focus on the effect of nutrient management on dry matter accumulation and other physiological parameters for quantifying the growth of maize. Methods: The present study was conducted during rabi season for two consecutive years of 2021-2022 and 2022-23 at the P.G. Experimental Farm of Centurion University of Technology and Management, Odisha. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with 14 treatments and three replications. The treatment details include different recommended doses of nutrients, leaf colour chart and sufficiency index-based nitrogen management and nutrient expert based nutrient management in maize. Result: The study revealed that application of ample dose of nitrogen, i.e., 200-60-60 kg/ha of N-P2O5-K2O resulted in obtaining the highest dry matter accumulation and leaf area index of maize throughout the growth periods for both the years of maize. Further, the treatments 150% RDF and SI-based N management (N-60-60 kg/ha) at SI 90-95% also performed at par in terms of growth attributes of maize.