DefinePK

Abstract

Food security, zero hunger and poverty alleviation are the major challenges faced by agriculturists worldwide. To achieve this aim, optimum planting time and integrated nutrient management have long been recognized as the most agronomic approaches for the economic yield of maize. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted at the Agronomy Research Farm, the University of Agriculture Peshawar, Pakistan in Kharif season, 2017. The design used was a randomized complete block with a split plot arrangement consisting of four planting dates (25th May, 9th June, 24th June and 9th July) were assigned to main plots, while six nitrogen management treatments (Control, sole urea (U), sole poultry manure (PM), 70% U + 30% PM, 50% U + 50% PM and 30% U + 70% PM) were allotted to subplots for making a total of 140 kg N ha-1. The results revealed that maize planted on 9th June resulted in maximum plant height, leaf area plant-1, leaf area index, plants at harvest, ears length, grains ear-1, rows ear-1, thousand grain weight, biological yield, grain yield and harvest index. However, maize planted on 25th May took more days to emergence, tasseling, silking and physiological maturity. Nitrogen applied as 50% U + 50% PM resulted in maximum ears plant-1, ears length, grains ear-1, rows ear-1, thousand grain weight, grain yield and harvest index, while more days to tasseling, silking, physiological maturity, plant height, leaf area plant-1 and leaf area index were noted in plots received sole urea. For better yield in Peshawar valley, it is recommended that maize crop should be planted on 9th June along with the application of 50% U + 50% PM.    
Keywords: Food security; Maize (Zea mays); Nitrogen management; Poultry manure; Sowing date; Zero hunger
http://dx.doi.org/10.19045/bspab.2025.140090