Evaluating the Influence of Different Agronomic Strategies on the Growth and Development of Maize (Zea mays L.) Grown in Rice Fallows of Northern Telangana Zone

Aims: To study the changes in plant height, dry matter production, leaf area and plant population under different tillage practices, irrigation and nitrogen levels in rice fallow maize.

Study Design: Split- split plot design.

Place and Duration of Study: Regional Agricultural Research Station farm, Polasa, Jagtial during rabi 2022-23 and 2023-24.

Methodology: The experiment was laid out in split- split plot design with twelve treatment combinations that includes 2 main plot, 3 sub plot and 2 sub-sub plot treatments which are replicated thrice. The treatments are as follows: Main plots: T1- Zero tillage, T2- Conventional tillage (tillage with cultivator twice fb rotovator twice); Sub plots: I1- Irrigation at 60% ASM, I2- Irrigation at 40% ASM and I3- Irrigation at six critical stages; and Sub-sub plot treatments: N1- 100% RDN (240 kg ha-1) and N2- 120% RDN (288 kg ha-1).

Results: Results indicated that highest mean plant height was recorded in conventional tillage (65.8, 204.4 & 210.9 cm) and in N2 treatment (64.6, 201.3 & 207.6 cm) during sixth leaf, silking and physiological maturity respectively. Irrigations showed non-significant effect during sixth leaf and during other two stages I3 treatment has recorded higher plant height (200.1 & 206.6 cm). Similar results were obtained in case of leaf area. The mean dry weight was also higher in conventional tillage (17915 kg ha-1), I3 treatment (16789 kg ha-1) and N2 (16418 kg ha-1). The initial plant population was higher in conventional tillage (7.2 plants m-2) than that of zero tillage and irrigation & nitrogen levels has no effect on population.

Conclusion: All the growth parameters were significantly affected by tillage, irrigation and nitrogen levels at all the stages except the influence of irrigation on plant height at sixth leaf stage. Plant population was significantly affected by tillage but non-significant effect was recorded by irrigation an nitrogen levels. Interaction was found between irrigation and nitrogen levels in-case of dry matter production.