Effect of integrated nutrient management practices for maximizing the Productivity and profitability of fodder Maize
*1V.R. Yadahalli, 2M. Thiruppathi, 3S.B. Patil, 4R. Rex Immanuel and 5R. Gnanasekar
2&4Department of Agronomy, 5Department of Animal husbandry, Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar, Tamil Nadu – 608002 (India) 1&3AICRP (DLR) RARS,Vijayapur.Karnataka, India Corresponding Author:venkyyadahalli@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
Field experiments were conducted during the Summer 2021 and 2022 to find out the effect of integrated nutrient management practices in fodder maize + cowpea intercropping at Vjayapur and Bagalkot District Cooperative Milk Union Ltd., Vijayapur Farm, which is situated between 13017’24’’N latitude and 77º47’60’’ E longitude at an altitude of 650 m above mean sea level and which come under the Northern Dry Zone (ZONE-III) of Karnataka. The field experiments were laid out in split plot design with three replications. In the main plot, different methods and type of biofertilizer application viz., BF1 - control (no biofertilizer), BF2 - seed treatment with Azospirillum, BF3 - soil application of Phosphobacteria and BF4 - seed treatment with Azospirillum and soil application of Phosphobacteria were imposed. Whereas in the sub plot, four INM component such as application of graded levels of recommended dose of nitrogen (75, 100 and 125 % RDN) with vermicompost at equivalent basis of 25, 50 and 75 % of RDN was undertaken along with one absolute control treatment. The impact of treatment imposition were studied on the yield and economics of fodder maize cultivation under fodder maize + cowpea intercropping.The results of the experimental study apparently confirmed that seed treatment with Azospirillum and soil application of Phosphobacteria significantly registered higher green forage yield and gross returns. Among the different N combinations, application 75% recommended dose of N + recommended dose of P and K+ 25% N on equivalent basis of vermicompost proved superior. Interaction effect between types and methods of biofertilizer application and nitrogen management practices was significant. However, seed treatment of Azospirillum and soil application of Phosphobacteria along with application 75% recommended dose of N + recommended dose of P and K+ 25% N on equivalent basis of vermicompost excelled all other treatments and resulted in higher values on green fodder yield and economic returns.