Vol. 10, Issue 11 (2021)

Author(s):
Poondla Madhurya, Mekala Latha, Challa Sujani Rao and Sunkara Prathibha Sree

Abstract:
A field experiment was conducted at Agricultural College, Bapatla during the rabi season of 2020 in sandy loam soil. The objective of the research was to know the influence of different levels of inorganic nitrogen fertilization in combination with FYM and biofertilizers on quality, nutrient content of maize. The maize variety Pioneer - 3396 was taken as test crop. The study was carried out with eight treatments viz., T₁: Control, T₂: 100% RDN, T₃: 125% RDN, T₄: 75% RDN + 25% N through FYM, T₅: 75% RDN + 25% N through FYM + Biofertilizers, T₆: 100% RDN + 25% N through FYM, T₇: 100% RDN + Biofertilizers and T₈: 100% RDN + 25% N through FYM + Biofertilizers. The recommended dose of inorganic fertilizers were followed as 200:60:50 N-P₂O₅-K₂O kg ha^-1 in all treatments except control treatment. The FYM @ 10 t/ha was taken as the organic component. The biofertilizers (Azospirillum, Phosphorus Solubilizing Bacteria (Pseudomonas sp.)) were applied @ 5 kg/ha each. The study revealed that there was a significant influence of INM on nutrient content and quality of maize. Among all the treatments imposed, the treatment which received 100% RDN + 25% N through FYM + Biofertilizers (T₈) performed best and it was found on par with the treatments 100% RDN + 25% N through FYM (T₆) and 125% RDN (T₃) in most cases. Among all the treatments the control (T₁) has recorded the least values for all parameters assessed.