OPTIMIZING PHOSPHOROUS RATES FOR DIFFERENT SOWING METHODS OF MAIZE TO ENHANCE PRODUCTIVITY AND PROFITABILITY

Abstract

Phosphorous use efficiency under alkaline calcareous soil conditions of Pakistan is less than 25%. Higher phosphorus fixation aggravates yield gaps and cost of production in maize. An experiment was laid out with the objectives to enhance maize yield and profitability through various soil manipulation methods. Experiment was conducted using randomized complete block design with split plot arrangement. The experimental treatments comprised of sowing methods in main plots viz; S₁ = flat sowing; S₂ = ridge sowing and S₃ = bed sowing while phosphorous rates in split plots viz. P₁ = 100; P₂ = 125 and P₃ = 150 kg ha^-1. The results revealed the substantially higher cob length, diameter and 1000-grain weight observed in ridge sowing and 125 kg ha^-1 phosphorous. Under flat sowing conditions, 150 kg ha^-1 P depicted more plant height, grain rows per cob, grains per cob, biological, grain yield  and harvest index. Ridge and bed sowing depicted higher values of all attributes with 125 kg ha^-1 phosphorous. Significantly more yield was produced with 125 kg ha^-1 phosphorous under both ridge (6160 kg ha^-1) and bed planting (5600 kg ha^-1) systems.  Significantly lower values of all parameters were recorded in flat sowing with 100 kg ha^-1 phosphorous. In addition, highest marginal rate of return was recorded for ridge sowing with 125 kg ha^-1 phosphorous. In conclusion, ridge planting system produced more grain yield and economic benefits using less phosphorous than flat and bed sowing using 125 kg ha^-1 phosphorous.