Plant Growth Regulators for Forage Yield and Quality Enhancement of Fodder Maize (Zea mays)

Background: In livestock management, supply of green fodder and feed is vital to improve the productivity. In the present context, there is deficit in green and dry fodder availability. Improving the productivity and increase the area under fodder crops are the key options. This can be achieved through adopting the standard package of practises and exploring the other options. Use of plant growth regulators (PGR) have been benefited to increase the productivity in crops. PGRs helps to boost the plant metabolic rate, cellular division, cell elongation, growth and development by governing the phytohormones or other biochemical signals. Application of these PGRs in forage crops is limited and need to study its efficiency. Methods: The study was conducted in fodder maize (Zea mays) crop for three successive years during kharif 2020-22 for growth and yield parameters at BAIFs Central Research Station, Urulikanchan in randomized block design with three replications. Result: Results showed the significant maximum plant height of 271.30 cm and number of leaves (15.04) per plant in treatment of Mepiquat chloride @ 200 ppm whereas rest of PGR treatments were found at par. Application of Mepiquat chloride @ 300 ppm recorded significantly higher green fodder yield of 494.15 q ha-1 followed by application of Salicylic acid @100 ppm recorded green fodder yield of 490.75 q ha-1. Maximum dry matter yield and crude protein yield of 87.17 q ha-1 and 6.41 q ha-1 respectively were recorded by the application of Salicylic acid @ 200 ppm. The treatment of Salicylic acid @100ppm recorded the highest net monetary return (Rs. 76,650 ha-1) and 2.66 of benefit cost ratio.