Effects of Nitrogen and Gibberellic acid on Growth, Yield and Economics of Fodder Maize (Zea mays L.)

The experiment was conducted during the Rabi season 2022-23 at Crop Research Farm (CRF), Department of Agronomy, Naini Agricultural Institute, SHUATS, Prayagraj, (U.P.). The experiment was conducted in a Randomized Block Design consisting of 10 treatment combinations and 3 replications. The treatments consist of 3 levels of Nitrogen (60, 80 and 100 kg/ha) and 3 levels of Gibberellic acid (25, 50 and 75 ppm). The treatment combinations are as follows, T1 – [Nitrogen (60 kg/ha) + Gibberellic acid (25ppm)], T2 – [Nitrogen (60 kg/ha) + Gibberellic acid (50ppm)], T3 – [Nitrogen (60 kg/ha) + Gibberellic acid (75ppm)], T4 – [Nitrogen (80 kg/ha) + Gibberellic acid (25ppm)], T5 – [Nitrogen (80 kg/ha) + Gibberellic acid (50ppm)], T6 – [Nitrogen (80 kg/ha) + Gibberellic acid (75ppm)], T7 – [Nitrogen (100 kg/ha) + Gibberellic acid (25ppm)], T8 – [Nitrogen (100 kg/ha) + Gibberellic acid 50ppm)], T9 – [Nitrogen 100 kg/ha) + Gibberellic acid (75ppm)] and T10 – [Control]. The results showed that treatment 9 [Nitrogen (100 kg/ha) + Gibberellic acid (75ppm)] recorded significantly higher plant height (188.83 cm), maximum number of leaves/plant (15.00), higher plant dry weight (71.29 g), maximum stem thickness (2.40 cm), higher green forage yield (43.55 t/ha) and maximum moisture content (83.45 %) compare to all other treatments. The maximum gross return (108875.00 INR/ha), net return (71914.35 INR/ha) and highest B:C ratio (1.94) was recorded in treatment 9 application of [Nitrogen (100 kg/ha) + Gibberellic acid (75ppm)] as compared to all other treatments.

Response of Phosphorus and Zinc on Growth and Yield of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

A field experiment was conducted at the Crop Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj during Rabi season 2022-23 on chickpea crop. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with ten treatments and three replication. The treatments consist of 3 levels of Phosphorus (30, 40 and 50 kg/ha) and 3 levels of Zinc (10, 15 and 20 kg/ha). The treatment combinations are as follows, T1 – 30 kg/ha Phosphorus + 10 kg/ha Zinc, T2 – 30 kg/ha Phosphorus and 15 kg/ha Zinc, T3 – 30 kg/ha Phosphorus and 20 kg/h Zinc, T4 – 40 kg/ha Phosphorus + 10 kg/ha Zinc, T5 – 40 kg/ha Phosphorus + 15 kg/ha Zinc, T6 – 40 kg/ha Phosphorus + 20 kg/ha Zinc, T7 – 50 kg/ha Phosphorus + 10 kg/ha Zinc, T8 – 50 kg/ha Phosphorus + 15 kg/ha Zinc, T9 – 50 kg/ha Phosphorus + 20 kg/ha Zinc and T10 – (control). The nutrient sources were Urea, Single Super Phosphate (SSP) and Muriate of Potash (MOP), applied as per the recommended dose of 20-40-20 kg NPK/ha. As per the treatment, application of phosphorus and zinc were done as basal application. The treatment consisted of soil application of Phosphorus (30 kg/ha, 40 kg/ha and 50 kg/ha), Zinc (10 kg/ha, 15 kg/ha and 20 kg/ha) and zinc and a control (20-40-20 kg NPK/ha). The results of the experiment showed that, plant height (48.81 cm), dry weight (14.88 g) number of nodules/plant (14.67), number of pods/plant (30.07), number of seeds/pod (1.37), seed index (21.36 g), seed yield (2.66 t/ha) and stover yield (4.26 t/ha), harvest index (38.31) were recorded significantly highest with the application Phosphorus 50 kg/ha + Zinc 20 kg/ha. Maximum gross returns (152516.67 INR/ha), net returns (102367.23 INR/ha), and B-C ratio (2.04) were also obtained with the same treatment.

Effect of Bio-fertilizer and Phosphorus on Growth and Yield of Green gram (Vigna radiata L.)

The field experiment was conducted at Crop Research Farm, Naini Agriculture Institute, Department of Agronomy, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj during Zaid 2022 on sandy loamy soil. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design. The experiment consists of treatments i.e., VAM (20g/kg seed) + Phosphorus 30kg ha-1, PSB (20g/kg seed) + Phosphorus 30kg ha-1, VAM + PSB (40g/kg seed) + Phosphorus 30kg/ha, VAM (20g/kg seed) + Phosphorus 40kg ha-1, PSB (20g/kg seed) + Phosphorus 40kg ha-1, VAM + PSB (40g/kg seed) + Phosphorus 40kg/ha, VAM (20g/kg seed) + Phosphorus 50kg ha-1, PSB (20g/kg seed) + Phosphorus 50kg ha-1, VAM + PSB (40g/kg seed) + Phosphorus 50kg/ha, including control i.e., application of 20-40-20 kg NPK ha-1 (Farmer practice), which are replicated thrice. The variety PDM-139 SAMRAT green gram was sown in February 2023. The results of the experiment revealed that the application of VAM + PSB @ (40g/kg seed) along with 50 kg ha-1 of phosphorus significantly increased the growth parameters viz., plant height (32.94 cm), plant dry weight (42.73 g plant-1), crop growth rate (72.1 g m-2 day-1), relative growth rate (2.16 g m-1 day-1), branches per plant (6.53), nodules per plant (16.4) and yield parameters viz, pods per plant (19.20), seeds per pod (11.87), test weight (40.0g), seed yield (1,620 kg ha-1), haulm yield (1,022.22 kg ha-1), harvest index (49.30%) over control. This treatment also showed its positive effect on economics viz., gross returns (Rs. 1,45,770 ha-1), net return (Rs. 1,04,120.40 ha-1) and benefit cost ratio (2.50).