Effect of Different Levels of Potassium on Yield and Economics of Kharif Maize (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during Kharif season at Crop Research Farm of Tirhut College of Agriculture, Dholi in 2017 to observe the effect of different levels of potassium on yield and economics of Kharif maize. The experiment was laid out in Randomized block design with four replications and nine treatments at a different level of potassium (0, 30, 60, 90, 120 and 150 kg ha-1) in which three treatments T7, T8 and T9 were along with 5 tons of FYM. There were no marked effect of different treatments on the number of cob plant-1, length of cob, the girth of cob and test weight. However, the number of grains cob-1 was found significantly higher in treatment T9 (T4 + 5 t FYM ha-1). Grain yield, stover yield and stone yield were significantly influenced by different treatments. The maximum grain yield (63.19 q ha-1), stover yield (101.61 q ha-1) and stone yield  (14.61 q ha-1) were recorded under treatment T9 (T4 + 5 t FYM ha-1). Economics of different  treatments indicated  that by higher grain yield, treatment T9 (T4 + 5 t FYM ha-1) exhibited maximum gross returns, net returns and B:C ratio of Rs 90,046 ha-1, Rs 47,987 ha-1 and 1.14, respectively.