Effects of Nitrogen and Gibberellic acid on Growth, Yield and Economics of Fodder Maize (Zea mays L.)

The experiment was conducted during the Rabi season 2022-23 at Crop Research Farm (CRF), Department of Agronomy, Naini Agricultural Institute, SHUATS, Prayagraj, (U.P.). The experiment was conducted in a Randomized Block Design consisting of 10 treatment combinations and 3 replications. The treatments consist of 3 levels of Nitrogen (60, 80 and 100 kg/ha) and 3 levels of Gibberellic acid (25, 50 and 75 ppm). The treatment combinations are as follows, T1 – [Nitrogen (60 kg/ha) + Gibberellic acid (25ppm)], T2 – [Nitrogen (60 kg/ha) + Gibberellic acid (50ppm)], T3 – [Nitrogen (60 kg/ha) + Gibberellic acid (75ppm)], T4 – [Nitrogen (80 kg/ha) + Gibberellic acid (25ppm)], T5 – [Nitrogen (80 kg/ha) + Gibberellic acid (50ppm)], T6 – [Nitrogen (80 kg/ha) + Gibberellic acid (75ppm)], T7 – [Nitrogen (100 kg/ha) + Gibberellic acid (25ppm)], T8 – [Nitrogen (100 kg/ha) + Gibberellic acid 50ppm)], T9 – [Nitrogen 100 kg/ha) + Gibberellic acid (75ppm)] and T10 – [Control]. The results showed that treatment 9 [Nitrogen (100 kg/ha) + Gibberellic acid (75ppm)] recorded significantly higher plant height (188.83 cm), maximum number of leaves/plant (15.00), higher plant dry weight (71.29 g), maximum stem thickness (2.40 cm), higher green forage yield (43.55 t/ha) and maximum moisture content (83.45 %) compare to all other treatments. The maximum gross return (108875.00 INR/ha), net return (71914.35 INR/ha) and highest B:C ratio (1.94) was recorded in treatment 9 application of [Nitrogen (100 kg/ha) + Gibberellic acid (75ppm)] as compared to all other treatments.