Growth and yield response of hybrid maize through integrated phosphorus management

Integrated use of organic manures and inorganic fertilizer can satiate the crop needs as an economical and environment friendly nutrient source. a field study was conducted to evaluate the growth and yield response of autumn maize to sole and integrated application of organic and inorganic phosphorus (p) sources during the year 2008 and 2009. poultry manure and press mud as organic p and single superphosphate as inorganic phosphorus source were substituted in different ratios. inorganic phosphorus source was substituted with 25,50 and 75% organic source as per treatment. plots without any p source were maintained as control. data on maize growth and yield were recorded to ascertain response to integrated use of p sources. in both the year's,a combination of 25% poultry manure + 75% ssp recorded the maximum maize grain yield of 7.14 mg ha-1 and 7.82 mg ha-1,respectively that was 48.13% and 62.91% respectively higher over control. this treatment also improved maize growth response over control and other treatments as well and realized higher dry matter accumulation due to more leaf area index and crop growth rate. a significantly positive relationship (r = 0.98) of maize grain yield with 1000-grain weight was recorded. a linear and positive correlation between grain yield and cumulative leaf area duration was noticed in both years. the results suggested that integration of organic and inorganic source of p can improve maize growth and enhance yield over sole application of inorganic source as a cost effective and environmentally benign nutrient management approach.