Effect of organic mulches and kaolin clay foliar spray on growth, yield attributes and yield of dry land maize (Zea mays)

The study area is warm, semi-arid and is highly variable with droughts and irregular occurrences of above average rainfall resulting in water scarcity thus leading to ground water stress and less soil organic matter which is a major constraint for agriculture. To mitigate this, a field experiment was carried out during kharif June 2020 at farmers’ field of Chinna Dudyala village, Muddanur, Kadapa district, Andhra Pradesh to evaluate the effect of organic mulches and kaolin clay foliar spray in dry land maize. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design consisting of nine treatments and three replications, viz. T1–Paddy straw mulch+Kaolin clay foliar spray @ 3.0% on 40 DAS, T2–Paddy straw mulch+Kaolin clay foliar spray @ 3.0% on 20 and 40 DAS, T3–Groundnut haulm mulch+Kaolin clay foliar spray @ 3.0% on 40 DAS, T4–Groundnut haulm mulch+Kaolin clay foliar spray @ 3.0% on 20 and 40 DAS, T5–Coir-pith mulch+Kaolin clay foliar spray @ 3.0% on 40 DAS, T6–Coir-pith mulch+Kaolin clay foliar spray @ 3.0% on 20 and 40 DAS, T7–Sugarcane trash mulch+Kaolin clay foliar spray @ 3.0% on 40 DAS, T8–Sugar cane trash mulch+Kaolin clay foliar spray @ 3.0% on 20 and 40 DAS and T9–Farmer’s practice (No mulch). Among the different treatments, the growth parameters, yield attributes and yield were favourably influenced with the application of Coir-pith mulch+Kaolin clay foliar spray @ 3.0% on 20 and 40 DAS. These results proved that application of Coir-pith mulch+Kaolin clay foliar spray @ 3.0% on 20 and 40 DAS enhanced the soil physical condition and provided sustainable crop growth and productivity of maize.