Abstract

Field experiments were conducted for two years during Kharif 2010 to 2011 at Agricultural Research Station (ARS), TNAU, Bhavanisagar, Tamil Nadu under irrigated eco-system to study the influence of seriwaste vermicompost as a substitute for inorganic fertilizer on productivity and economics of hybrid maize (CoH(M)-5). The experiments were laid out in RBD with three replications. The results indicated that 50% recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) + 50% seriwaste vermicompost (2.5 tonnes/ha) registered higher yield attributes and yield with increased net return and BC ratio in hybrid maize. This was closely followed by 25% RDF + 75% seriwaste vermicompost (3.25 tonnes/ha) as compared to either 100% inorganics or organics alone.

Keywords: Seri waste, inorganics, yield, economics, nutrient uptake, hybrid maize