IMPACT OF NITROGEN LEVELS AND APPLICATION METHODS ON AGRONOMIC, PHYSIOLOGICAL AND NUTRIENT UPTAKE TRAITS OF MAIZE FODDER

Field investigations were carried out to test the effect of varying levels of nitrogen (0, 60, 100, 140 and 180 kg ha -1 ) applied through different application methods viz., broadcast, fertigation and side dressing on maize variety Akbar for fodder production. Nitrogen fertigation had better efficiency over broadcast and side dressing. Maximum leaves plant -1 (15.1), stem girth (6.86 cm), green fodder yield (91.25 t ha -1 ), total dry matter (8.90 t ha -1 ), leaf area index (15.57), leaf area duration (201 days), N content (1.35%) and N uptake (120.42 kg ha -1 ) were noted with the application of 140 kg N ha -1 through fertigation. Further increase in nitrogen had non-significant response on these traits. Higher N regime 180 kg ha -1 through fertigation increased growth traits viz., plant height (199 cm) and crop growth rate (16.90 g m -2 day -1 ), followed by broadcast application of 180 kg N ha -1 . It is concluded that application of 140 kg N ha -1 through fertigation method was an optimum N dose for the maize fodder production.