Abstract

                                A field experiment was conducted at Agricultural College and Research Institute, TNAU, Madurai during January to April 2017 to investigate the influence of nitrogen fertilization on roots, nutrient uptake and productivity of rice fallow hybrid maize. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with three replications. Seven treatments under rice fallow condition with graded levels of N viz., 100(T1), 125 (T2), 150 (T3), 175 (T4), 200 (T5), 225 (T6) and 250 kg ha-1 (T7) were evaluated. Maize hybrid CoMH 6 was used with a recommended spacing of 60 × 25 cm. The grain yield was found to be significantly higher with the application of 250 kg of N ha-1; however, it was found to be comparable with 225 and 200 kg of N ha-1. The fertilizer use efficiencies increased with decreasing levels of N. Positive and significant correlation was observed between different doses of N and LAI, no. of grains cob-1, grain yield and net income. LAI and no. of grains cob-1 were also found to have significant positive correlation with yield.

Key words : Hybrid maize, Nitrogen use efficiency, Yield and Correlation.