Abstract

A Field experiment was conducted at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore during winter 2011-12 to study the influence of maize (Zea mays) under different intercropping systems, mycorrhizal inoculation and fertilizer levels on root growth and grain yield of hybrid maize under irrigated condition. The experiment was laid out in split – split plot design. The results revealed that the root parameters such as root length, root volume, root dry mass, root- shoot ratio and root colonization were higher under sole maize, inoculation of mycorrhiza and fertilizer levels. Regarding the treatment combinations, 100% RDF along with mycorrhizal inoculation recorded significantly better root parameters. With regard to the yield, sole maize recorded the highest grain and stover yield (8,531 and 12,560 kg ha -1 , respectively). Also mycorrhizal inoculated treatments recorded the highest grain and stover yield (8,892 and 12,849 kg ha -1 , respectively). Regarding the treatment combinations, sole maize along with mycorrhizal inoculation and 125% RDF recorded significantly higher yield parameters and yield. However, the yield was comparable with maize + cowpea intercropping along with mycorrhizal inoculation and application of 100% RDF.

Keywords: Hybrid maize, Intercropping systems, Glomus intraradices, Fertilizer levels, Root morphology