Effect of soil moisture conservation practices and foliar fertilization on the performance of hybrid maize (Zea mays) under Cauvery Delta Zone of India

One of the crucial variables that affects the growth and yield of the maize crop is soil moisture. Soil mulching and foliar nutrition are significantly impacted by the absence of moisture in the soil, which has a favourable impact on the growth and yield of the crops. With this background, a field experiment was conducted during kharif 2020 at Annamalai University, Tamil Nadu, India to maximize the productivity and profitability of maize by adopting various soil moisture conservation techniques and foliar fertilization. The experiment was laid out in factorial randomized block design (FRBD) with three replications. The experiment consisted of two factors comprising soil moisture conservation techniques viz., sugarcane trash, water hyacinth, hydrogel and control (no mulch plot), and foliar nutrient management practice at both knee high and tasseling stages using 19 : 19 : 19 1%, DAP 1%+MOP 1%, PPFM (Pink pigmented facultative methylotrophs) 1%, 19 : 19 : 19 1%+PPFM 1%, DAP 1%+MOP 1%+PPFM 1% and control (no foliar nutrition). Among the soil moisture conservation techniques, the results indicated that mulching with water hyacinth registered significantly higher yield parameters, yield and economic returns than other techniques. With regards to foliar nutrients, foliar application of DAP 1%+MOP 1%+PPFM 1% (F6) exhibited higher yield parameters, yield and economic returns than other foliar nutrient treatments. Therefore, integration of soil moisture conservation techniques and foliar nutrients, mulching with water hyacinth and foliar application of DAP 1%+MOP 1%+PPFM 1% (M3F6) significantly produced higher yield parameters, yield and economic benefits in maize cultivation.