Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

INFLUENCE OF VARYING LEVELS OF NITROGEN AND SULPHUR ON NUTRIENT UPTAKE, SOIL AVAILABLE NUTRIENT STATUS AND YIELD OF SINGLE CROSS HYBRID MAIZE (ZEA MAYS L)

I. Thirupathi, G.E. Ch. Vidya Sagar, K.B. Suneetha Devi and S. Harish Kumar Sharma

Abstract

Experiment on “Influence of varying levels of nitrogen and sulphur on nutrient uptake, soil available nutrient status and yield of single cross hybrid maize (Zea mays. L )’’ was conducted during Kharif, 2013 at College farm, College of Agriculture, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad to evaluate the effect of nitrogen and sulphur on nutrient uptake, post harvest nutrient status and yield of maize. The experiment was carried out with two nitrogen levels (N1: 180 kg ha-1, N2: 225 kg ha-1) as first factor and five sulphur levels (S0: 0 kg ha-1, S1: 20 kg ha-1, S2: 40 kg ha-1, S3: 60 kg ha-1 and S4: 80 kg ha-1) as second factor comprising ten treatment combinations were laid out in randomized block design with factorial concept replicated thrice. With respect to levels of nitrogen grain and stover yield were recorded highest and significantly higher than N1 (180 kg ha-1), the per cent increase in grain and stover yield were 4, 3.2 respectively over N1. With increasing the levels of sulphur the grain and stover yield were increased in decreased rate but it was on par with S3 (60 kg ha-1). The per cent increase in grain yield was 8.2, 13.8, 23.2 and 20.6 with S1 (20 kg ha-1), S2 (40 kg ha-1), S3 (60 kg ha-1) and S4 (80 kg ha-1) respectively over S0 (0 kg ha-1). Due to combined application of N and S improved the growth and yield attributes of maize and ultimately increased the grain and stover yield. Significantly higher nutrient uptake by grain and stover was observed with N2 (225 kg ha-1) than N1 (180 kg ha-1). Application of sulphur levels shows positive effect on growth and yield of maize as well as nutrient uptake by grain and stover at harvest. In case of nutrient uptake by grain and stover were recorded highest with S3 (60 kg ha-1) and it was significantly higher than S2 (40 kg ha-1), S1 (20 kg ha-1) over S0 (0 kg ha-1) and it was on par with S4 (80 kg ha-1). In general, treatments receiving higher nitrogen N2 (225kg ha-1) application recorded higher available nitrogen status. Increased levels of S influenced the S status in the soil. Available phosphorus and potassium in soil with regards to N & S levels and nitrogen - sulphur interaction was found to be non significant.