Abstract

Zea mays, is reported to remove 114 lb, N, 43 lb. P₂O, and 125 lb. K.O per crop of 35 cwt. of grain and 60 cwt. of straw. Similar to wheat, application of phosphatic fertilizers has been reported by almost all workers except Robinson (1950) and Hunter and Yungon (1955) to increase the yields of corn in India and abroad (Anon., 1949; Malavelta et al. 1953, Uangarderar, 1954; Sen and Kavitkarag, 1955; Genter et al. 1956, I. C. A. R., 1956 and Suarozda (Castro) and Rodrigues, 1958). To increase the yields further, Guttay and Steritzel (1957) tried presoaking the seeds in phosphatic solutions or mixing the seeds with phosphatic fertilizers and then sowing, and got beneficial results. Morsale (1957) tried three sprayings at 4 day intervals with 2-5-5% super with 0.4% potash and got increased yields and increased weight of grain. Scarseth (1950), Raheja et al. (1957), Robertson, et al. (1958) and Prummel (1958) reported that either placement or drilling were better than broadcasting while Baranov (1951) reported that broadcasting was as effective as row application. Robertson, et al. (1958) pointed out that deep placement of fertilizer was more effective in dry seasons than in wet seasons as the crop could make efficient use of the limited amount of available moisture in dry seasons due to extended root systems. Further, they have reported that in wet seasons or seasons with well distributed rainfall, broadcasting was more efficient and economical than placement. As rightly pointed out by them, the effect of placement of fertilizers depends on various factors like soil moisture, nature of fertilizers applied etc. Similarly, Glover (1953) and Corby (1957) advocated application of fertilizers in single dose while Baranovski (1956) and Sarishvite et al. (1956) advocated split dose application.

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