GROWTH, YIELD AND QUALITY OF MAIZE (Zea mays L.) FODDER AS AFFECTED BY NITROGEN-ZINC INTERACTION IN ARID CLIMATE

Quality fodder can be produced through balanced use of fertilizers. A field trial was conducted to work out the best combination of nitrogen and zinc for enhancing growth, yield and quality of maize fodder. Seven treatments viz. T1 = Control; T2 = N @ 50 kg ha(-1) + Zn @ 5 kg ha(-1); T3 = N @ 50 kg ha(-1) + Zn @ 10 kg ha(-1); T4 = N @ 100 kg ha(-1) + Zn @ 5 kg ha(-1); T5 = N @ 100 kg ha(-1) + Zn @ 10 kg ha(-1); T6 = N @ 150 kg ha(-1) + Zn @ 5 kg ha(-1) and T7 = N @ 150 kg ha(-1) + Zn @ 10 kg ha(-1) were used to test the crop. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Recommended dose of phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) fertilizer (60 and 75 kg ha(-1)) was applied as basal dose to all treatments. The sources of N, P, K and Zn were urea, single super phosphate (SSP), sulphate of potash (SOP) and zinc sulphate (ZnSO4), respectively. The maize variety Pak Afgooi was used as a test crop. Results showed a significant increase in plant height, stem circumference and biological yield with increased level of nitrogen and zinc fertilizers. Maximum improvement in plant height (160%), biological yield (72%), leaf area (116%), dry matter (80%) and relative water contents (17%) was observed in T7 (N @ 150 kg ha(-1) + Zn @ 10 kg ha(-1)). However, these results were non-significant with T6 (N @ 150 kg ha(-1) + Zn @ 5 kg ha(-1)) where the improvement in these parameters was 152, 69, 103, 79 and 18%, respectively. The T7 also significantly improved crude protein, ash contents, and nitrogen and zinc uptake as compared to control. It may be concluded that treatment combination N @ 150 kg ha(-1) and Zn 5 kg ha(-1) (T6) may be recommended for getting enhanced yield of improved quality maize fodder.