Effect of phosphorus and zinc levels on maize (Zea mays L.) forage production grown in calcareous soil in Peshawar valley
Year: 2023
Type: article
Abstract: Lack of macro and micro-nutrients limits the growth and development of exhaustive crops like maize especially in calcareous soil.The present study was carried out in fall 2021 at the Agriculture Research Institute, Tarnab (ARI-Tarnab), Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.Maize variety Kaptan was treated with treatments T1 (Control), T2 (P2O5 @ 80 kg ha -1 ),T3 (P2O5 @ 100 kg ha -1 ), T4 (Zn @ 10 kg ha -1 ), T5, (P2O5 @ 80 kg ha -1 + Zn @10 kg ha - 1 ), T6 (P2O5 @ 100 kg ha -1 + Zn@ 10 kg ha -1 ),T7 (Zn @ 20 kg ha -1 ), T8 (P2O5 @ 80 kg ha -1 + Zn @ 20 kg ha -1 ) and T9 (P2O5 @ 100 kg ha -1 + Zn @ 20 kg ha -1 ).Our findings revealed that various levels of phosphorus (P) and zinc (Zn) had significantly (P≤0.05)affected days to tasseling, days to silking, leaf area (cm 2 ), leaf area index and biological yield (kg ha -1 ) while their effect on harvest index (%) was recorded non-significant.Results of the study revealed maximum leaf area (454.68 cm 2 ), leaf area index (3.79),and biological yield (17831 kg ha -1 ) for T9 (P2O5 @ 100 kg ha -1 + Zn @ 20 kg ha -1 ).While maximum days to tasseling (63.00) and silking (68.33) were observed in treatment T7 (Zn @ 20 kg ha -1 ).Thus it is recommended that if maize crop is grown for fodder purpose under said conditions then the treatment T9 (P2O5@ 100 kg ha -1 + Zn @ 20 kg ha -1 ) is the best option.
Source: Pure and Applied Biology
Author: Shah Fahad
Institution: University of Swabi
Language: English
Subfield: Soil Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $200
OpenAlex ID: W4386975305