Response of enhanced dose and differential time of nitrogen application on growth, yield and economics of irrigated hybrid maize (Zea mays L.)

A field experimental study was conducted during rabi season (2016-17) at Research farm of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore to study the effect of enhanced dose and differential time of nitrogen application on the performance of irrigated hybrid maize (Zea mays L.). The experiment was laid out in a Factorial Randomized Block Design with three replications. The treatments comprised of two factors, in factor A, nitrogen at two levels viz., N1 - Recommended dose (250 kg/ha), N2 - Enhanced (125% of RD) dose (313 kg/ha) and factor B consists of differential time of nitrogen application viz., T1 - application of nitrogen in three uneven splits (25% as basal, 50% on 30 DAS and 25% on 45 DAS), T2 - application of nitrogen in four even splits (25% each at basal, 15 DAS, 30 DAS and 45 DAS), T3 - application of nitrogen in four uneven splits (20% as basal, 30% on 30 DAS, 30% on 45 DAS and 20% on 60 DAS), T4 - application of nitrogen in five even splits (20% each at basal, 15 DAS, 30 DAS, 45 DAS and 60 DAS) and T5 - application of nitrogen in five uneven splits (10% as basal, 20% on 15 DAS, 30% on 30 DAS, 30% on 45 DAS and 10% on 60 DAS). The growth characters viz., plant height, dry matter production, leaf area index and CGR were significantly influenced by application of nitrogen at enhanced dose (125% RD) when compared to the recommended dose (100% RD). Enhanced N dose (125% RD) also showed a significant increase in yield attributes viz., cob length, cob weight, number of grains per cob hundred grain weight, shelling percentage, grain yield and stover yield of maize over the recommended dose. Among the differential time of nitrogen application, nitrogen in five even splits was comparable with application of N in five uneven splits in producing higher grain and stover yield of hybrid maize.