DefinePK

Abstract

The performance of organic and inorganic fertilizers have shown positive effects on plant growth in crop production, a study was conducted to measure the effect of various levels of organic and inorganic fertilizers in maize. The experiment was conducted in randomized complete block design with split plot arrangement having three replications at New Development Farm, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Agricultural University Peshawar during kharif 2009-10. Various organic fertilizers namely, (1) Higo plus (500 kg ha-1), farm yard manure (10 tons per hectare) both were incorporated in the soil before sowing (2) Mexicrop (500 liters in 100 liters of water) was sprayed after emergence. NP fertilizers was applied as an inorganic fertilizers source under following rates; 120:80, 150:100 and 180:120 kg ha-1 at sowing, whole P was applied at once, but nitrogen was applied in split doses. Organic and inorganic fertilizers and control were kept in main plot. While maize varieties (i.e. Jalal, Pahari and Azam) were sown in sub plots. Delayed tasseling (62.2), silking (71.1) maturity (98.6), taller plants (175 cm), plants population at harvest (61481 ha-1) and biological yield (11111 kg ha-1) were recorded when NP was applied at the rate of 180:120 kg ha-1, whereas highest harvest index (37.1%) and maximum plants population at harvest (65556) were recorded when NP at 150:100 kg ha-1 was used. Jalal variety emerged as best variety with delayed tasseling (61.20), silking (68.6) and produce taller plants (171 cm) with maximum biological yield (10234 kg ha-1). In conclusion inorganic source of fertilizers (NP) proved better than organic and Jalal variety is strongly recommended because of better performance in the agro-climatic condition of Peshawar.
Keywords: Organic & inorganic fertilizer; Phenology; Maize varieties
http://dx.doi.org/10.19045/bspab.2015.43020