Effect of Different Establishment Methods and Soil Moisture Conservation Practices on Growth Attributes of Spring Maize

Author: Devendra Singh Ginwal, Subhash Chandra, Amit Bhatnagar, Sumit Chaturvedi, Gurvinder Singh and Veer Singh

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Abstract

Maize cultivation during the spring season is a lucrative proposition for the farmers However, high moisture demand of spring maize exerts considerable pressure on more no. of irrigation Thus, a two year field experiment was conducted during spring season of year 2019-21 and 2020-21 at GBPUAT, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand, to study the influence of establishment methods (flat bed and furrow sowing) and different soil moisture conservation practices (Rice straw mulching, plastic mulching, earthing and mulching+ earthing) on growth attributes of spring maize. Experimental results revealed that plant height, stem girth and number of green leaves/plant of spring maize were recorded highest in furrow sowing, which were significantly higher than flat bed sowing method during 60 DAS and at maturity stage of crop. The mean increase in plant height between growth periods of 45 to 60 DAS was 48.7 %, 45.6% and 60 DAS to till maturity 29.2%, 28.8% in 2019-20 and 2020-21 respectively, in furrow sowing. During growth period of 45 to 60 DAS the mean increase in stem girth was 13.78%, 15.5% and between 60 DAS to maturity it showed a declination of 7.2%, 9.71% in both the year, respectively. The mean increase in no. of leaves per plant during 60 DAS to at harvest was 5.3%, 7.75% in furrow sowing and 5.6%, 7.2% in flat sowing in 2019-20 and 2020-21. Amongst the different moisture conservation practices, plant height, stem girth and number of green leaves per plant was significantly at par from each other but statistically significant value was recorded over no mulch treatment. The CGR, RGR and AGR of both the years were at par among different moisture conservation practices under furrow sowing and flat sowing methods at 60 DAS and crop maturity stage. Adoption of moisture conservation practices significantly influence the growth attributes of maize at all growth stages, it might be due to the favorable microclimate created by application of mulch and better availability of moisture during entire crop growth period, better root activity and better nutrients uptake contributes overall plant growth.

Keywords

Maize, Flat, Furrow, Plastic Mulch, CGR, RGR, AGR

Conclusion

Our study demonstrated that the growing of spring maize crops in the tarai region of Uttarakhand, furrow sowing method should be adopted for better crop establishment, as it recorded significantly higher plants growth attributes viz., plant height, stem girth, no. of green leaves per plant, yield, productivity and quality of spring maize. Application of plastic mulch was found to be a viable option, where labour scarcity for earthing and non availability of straw mulch, to conserve available soil moisture and achieve higher productivity of spring maize.

References

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How to cite this article

Devendra Singh Ginwal, Subhash Chandra, Amit Bhatnagar, Sumit Chaturvedi, Gurvinder Singh and Veer Singh (2024). Effect of Different Establishment Methods and Soil Moisture Conservation Practices on Growth Attributes of Spring Maize. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 16(2): 65-70.