Vermiwash Prepared From Different Agricultural By-products Enhanced the Growth, Yield and Quality of Maize Grown under Reduced Chemical Fertilizer Use

Maize (Zea mays L.) is main cereal, which is mainly affected by nutrient scarcity. With the objective to resolve nutrient scarcity in maize through the integration of inorganic fertilizer with organic vermiwash (Vw), an experiment was executed during the spring season of 2019 and 2020, having Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) replicating thrice. The treatments involve F1: 100% recommended chemical fertilizer + No spray (control); F2: 100% recommended chemical + Positive control (water spray); F3: 75% recommended chemical fertilizer + alligator weed Vw 15%; F4: 75% recommended chemical fertilizer + alfalfa Vw 15%; F5: 75% recommended chemical fertilizer + rice straw Vw 15%; F6: 75% recommended chemical fertilizer + alligator weed Vw 7.5% + alfalfa Vw 7.5%; F7: 75% recommended chemical fertilizer + alligator weed Vw 7.5% + rice straw Vw 7.5%; F8: 75% recommended chemical fertilizer + alfalfa Vw 7.5% + rice straw Vw 7.5%; F9: 75% recommended chemical fertilizer + alligator weed Vw 5% + alfalfa Vw 5% + rice straw Vw 5%. Foliar spray of Vw was made at 30, 45 and 60 days after sowing. Foliar application of Vw from all sources along with chemical fertilizer improved the maize growth, quality and yield as compared to that of control; however, foliar spray of alligator weed Vw showed the maximum performance concerning morpho-physiological attributes of hybrid maize. The highest crop growth rate (22.93 and 22.95 g m-2 day-1), mean net assimilation rate (5.24 and 5.26 g m-2 day-1), chlorophyll fluorescence value (0.785 and 0.789), grain protein contents (11.2 and 11.4%), oil contents (3.4 and 3.6%) and grain yield (8.14 and 8.28 t ha-1) during 2019 and 2020, respectively, was noted by applying 75% recommended chemical fertilize + alligator weed Vw 15%.