Effect of Dose and Time of Nitrogen Application on Dry Matter Partitioning, Production Efficiency and Monetary Efficiency of Spring Maize (Zea Mays L.) in Western Indo-Gangetic Plains of India

Maize is a major and economically important crop of the Western Indo-Gangetic Plains of India. However, its productivity remains low due to improper nitrogen fertilizer rates and inappropriate timing of nitrogen application. Hence, evaluate the effect of nitrogen dose and time of nitrogen application on dry matter partitioning, production efficiency and monetary efficiency of spring maize, a field experiment was conducted during two consecutive spring seasons at the Regional Research Station, Uchani, Karnal, C.C.S. Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar. The experiment was conducted using a strip plot design with three replications. Four nitrogen doses (N1 -150 kg ha-1, N2 – 165 kg ha-1, N3 -180 kg ha-1and N4 - 195 kg ha-1) were assigned to the main plots, while four time of nitrogen application were allotted to sub-plots, S1 - 50% + 25% + 25 % (sowing+ 8 leaf + tassel initiation), S2 - 25% + 25% + 25% + 25% (sowing+ 4 leaf + 8 leaf + silking), S3 - 20% + 30% + 40% + 10% (sowing+ 6 leaf + flowering + grain formation) and S4 - 20% + 30% + 40% + 10% (2 leaf+ 6 leaf +tassel initiation + grain formation). The results showed that dry weight of individual plant parts (leaf, stem, tassel and cob dry weight) except tassel dry weight plant-1 were significantly influenced due to dose and time of nitrogen application except at 25 days during both the years. Maximum leaf, stem and cob dry weight were achieved by application of 195 kg N ha-1 (N4 ) which was statistically similar with 180 kg N ha1 (N3 ) but higher than 165 and 150 kg N ha-1. The split application of nitrogen under S2 (25% at sowing, 25% at the 4-leaf stage, 25% at the 8-leaf stage, and 25% at silking) resulted in significantly higher leaf, stem and cob dry weight and remained statistically comparable with S1 (50% at sowing, 25% at the 8-leaf stage, and 25% at tassel initiation), while both treatments outperformed than other nitrogen application. The highest production efficiency and monetary efficiency were achieved with the application of 195 kg N ha-1 (N4 ) followed by 180 kg N ha-1 (N3 ). Among the nitrogen applications, S2 (25% at sowing, 25% at the 4-leaf stage, 25% at the 8-leaf stage, and 25% at silking) resulted in greater production and monetary efficiency than S1 (50% at sowing, 25% at the 8-leaf stage, and 25% at tassel initiation) as well as the remaining treatments during both years of experimentation.