Abstract

An investigation to study the biochemical changes in maize under continuous application of manures and fertilisers was undertaken in Typic Ustropept soil at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University. Coimbatore. The continuous application of NPK + FYM improved the quality of maize grain by enhancing the sugar, starch and crude protein contents. The phenol content also increased. No manuring and non-inclusion of potassium and sulphur free fertiliser schedule resulted in decreased sugar, starch, crude protein and phenol contents. Appreciable variation was observed with different levels of NPK in the quality parameters of maize grain. The soil enzymes viz., amylase, catalase, cellulase. dehydrogenase, phosphatase and urease had a positive relationship with available N, P, K and organic carbon contents.

Keywords: NPK + FYM, Starch, Protein, Carbohydrates, Sugars, Phenols, Soil enzymes