Performance of quality protein maize (Zea mays L.) varieties at varying fertility levels

Abstract

Field experiment was conducted during kharif 2014 to evaluate performance of quality protein maize
hybrids under fertility levels. Treatment consisted quality protein maize varieties viz., HQPM 1,
HQPM 5, Pratap QPM hybrid 1 and Vivek QPM 9 and four fertility levels viz., 90 + 12.9, 110 + 17.2,
130 + 21.5 and 150 + 25.8 kg N + P ha–1. Highest values of yield attributing parameters, grain (4.26
t ha–1), stover yield (6.33 t ha–1), net return (45176 ` ha–1and B C ratio (2.42) were obtained with
HQPM 1. Similarly total N P K uptakes were significantly higher in HQPM 1 over rest of the varieties.
Protein content of HQPM 1, HQPM-5 and Pratap QPM 1 were statistically at par but significantly
higher than Vivek QPM 9. At harvest experimental soil with Vivek QPM 9 had significantly higher
N and P however, K status of soil did not vary significantly. For quality protein maize, application
of 150 kg N + 25.8 kg P ha–1 significantly improved growth, yield attributing parameters, grain (4.17
t ha–1) and stover (6.25 t ha–1) yield and proved economically profitable dose with highest net returns
(43302 ` ha–1) and BC ratio (2.25).