INTEGRATED NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT (INM) FOR HYBRID MAIZE GROWN IN CALCAREOUS SOIL

Field experiments were conducted at Research Farm of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, India for a period of three years (2007-2009) to find out the effect of integrated nutrient management on productivity of hybrid maize. Conjunctive use of 100% NPK + 5 t ha^-1 poultry manure recorded significantly highest grain and stover yields. Integration of 100% NPK with FYM and micronutrients viz., zinc and iron recorded higher yield than the treatment that received 100% NPK + poultry manure+ ZnSO4 + FeSO4. The lowest yield of 5637 kg ha^-1 was recorded in the treatment that received 100% NPK. The uptake of macronutrients by hybrid maize increased with increase in NPK levels. The organic.carbon, available N and K status of soil improved due to the application of 100% NPK + 5 t ha^-1 poultry manure while the available P status was increased with 75% NPK + 5 t ha^-1 poultry manure. The highest benefit : cost ratio (2.52) was obtained with the application of 100% NPK + FYM + ZnSO4 + FeSQ4.