Integrated Impact of Phosphorus and Zinc on Maize (Zea Mays L.) Production under Calcareous Soil

Abstract

Maize (Zea mays L.) is an exhaustive crop and its yield is often limited by the deficiency of phosphorus (P) and Zinc (Zn) particularly in calcareous soil. Therefore, this experiment was conducted to examine the integrated effect of P and Zn [control (T1 ), 35 kg P ha⁻¹ (T2), 44 kg P ha⁻¹ (T3), 10 kg Zn ha⁻¹ (T4), 35 kg P and 10 kg Zn ha⁻¹ (T5), 44 kg P and 10 kg Zn ha⁻¹ (T6), 20 kg Zn ha⁻¹ (T7), 35 kg P and 20 kg Zn ha⁻¹ (T8), and 44 kg P and 20 kg Zn ha⁻¹ (T9)] on maize productivity in calcareous soil. Their application significantly affected plant height, cob length, cob weight, grains per cob, 1000-grain weight, and grain yield, however, shelling percentage and emergence didn’t show any response to their application. The highest cob length (16.97 cm), grains per cob (430.53), 1000-grain weight (289.15 g), shelling percentage (77.66%) and grain yield (5674 kg ha⁻¹), were observed at 35 kg P ha⁻¹ applied with 20 kg Zn ha⁻¹. In contrast, the tallest plants (200.33 cm) and maximum cob weight (161.03 g) were recorded under 44 kg P ha⁻¹ applied with 20 kg Zn ha⁻¹). Therefore, 35 kg P ha-1 along with 20 kg Zn ha-1 is suggested for the better yield of maize crop in calcareous soil.