Response of FYM and Split Application of Nitrogen on Growth and Green Yield of Fodder Maize (Zea mays L.)

A field experiment was conducted at Main Forage Research Station, Anand Agriculture University, Anand (Gujarat) to study the effect of FYM and split application of nitrogen on the growth and yield of fodder maize in loamy sand soil during rabi season of 2021-22. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design (factorial) with three replications. There ten treatment combinations comprising two levels of FYM i.e., F1 (No FYM) and F2 (10 t FYM/ha) and five levels of nitrogen split i.e., N1 (Control: Common Practices, 50% Basal + 50% 30 DAS), N2 (20% N at Basal + 80% N in three equal splits), N3 (30% N at Basal + 70% N in three equal splits), N4 (40% N at Basal + 60% N in three equal splits) and N5 (50% N at Basal + 50% N in three equal splits). Application of 10 t FYM/ha were improved the growth, quality and yield attributes like periodical plant height, leaves/plant, leaf-stem ration, green and dry fodder yield, crude protein and dry matter content, NPK content and uptake, Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF) and Netural Detergent Fiber (NDF) as compared to control treatment of fodder maize. Response of FYM on soil EC, pH was found to be non-significant and soil available phosphorus potassium was found significant. Split application of nitrogen (50% N at Basal + 50% N in three equal splits) reported significant response on growth parameters like periodical plant height, number of leaves per plant, green fodder yield and quality parameters like dry matter content, crude protein content, dry fodder yield, crude protein yield, neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber of fodder maize. Response of split application of nitrogen on post-harvest soil parameters like pH, EC, organic carbon, available phosphorus and potassium.