Growth and Yield Response of Spring Maize to Zinc and Boron Combined with NPK in Banke District, Nepal

Abstract

The experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of zinc and boron along with nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P₂O₅ ) and potassium (K₂O) on growth and yield of spring maize in Duduwa-6, Banke from March to July 2023.The study was conducted in Randomized complete block design including 4 replications and 5 treatments: a) Farmer’s practice 100:50 (N:P₂O₅ ) kgha^-1, b) Recommended dose 160:60:40(N:P₂O₅ :K₂O) kgha^-1, c) Recommended N:P₂O₅ :K₂O + 15kgha^-1 zinc, d) Recommended N:P₂O₅ :K₂O + 2kgha^-1 boron and e) Recommended N:P₂O₅ :K₂O + 15kgha^-1 zinc + 2kgha^-1 boron. Rampur hybrid-10 variety of maize was sown on sandy loam, neutral soil with medium in organic matter. The field data on phenology, crop growth, yield attributes, yield and economic of crop production were collected. The study revealed that grain yield of maize was significantly higher in fertilization rate of 160:60:40 (N:P₂O₅:K₂O) kgha^-1, together with the application of Zn 15kgha^-1 and B 2kgha^-1. The study has also revealed that use of micronutrients such as Zn and B is beneficial to enhance growth and yield of hybrid maize. The plant height was the highest with Recommended N:P₂O₅:K₂O + Zn + B at earlier stage of crop growth but was statistically similar among different treatments at later stage of crop growth. The highest grain yield, harvest index and benefit cost ratio were recorded with the Recommended N:P₂O₅ :K₂O + Zn + B while these parameters were the lowest with the farmer’s practice. Therefore, highest grain yield and maximum profit were obtained when fertilization rate of 160:60:40 (N:P₂O₅ :K₂O) kg ha^-1, together with the application of Zn 15kgha^-1 and B 2kgha^-1.