Sustainable and efficient maize (<i>Zea mays </i>L. <i>Var.</i> PMH-11) production strategies by intervention of Integrated nutrient management

The incorporation of organic manures is needed to improve ecological stability due to the intensive use of chemical fertilizers. Applying chemical fertilizers in conjunction with farm yard manure (FYM) slows down the loss of soil health and enhances the quality of the soil for future demands. The present research was conducted to assess the influence of the integrated nutrient management (INM) on growth, yield, nutrient concentration and quality parameters of maize (Zea mays L.). The study included twelve treatment combinations with four levels of RDF (Control, 50, 75, and 100% RDF ha-1), three levels of FYM (Control, 5, and 10 t ha-1) , and a Split Plot Design (SPD) that was assigned to the main plot and subplot. The results indicated that 100% RD of inorganic fertilizers + FYM @ 10 t ha-1 showed significant positive impact on plant height (152.88 cm), number of leaves plant-1 (10.37 ), leaf area plant-1 (4005.03 cm2), leaf area index plant-1 (3.34), Dry matter accumulation (157.94 g plant-1), chlorophyll index (40.18), number of cobs plant-1 (2.33), grain numbers cob-1(438.93), protein content in grains (10.64%), nitrogen content in grains (1.702%) and stover (0.567%), phosphorous content in grains (0.382%) and stover (0.213%), and potassim content in grains (0.438%) and stover (0.875%) of maize. This experiment's findings indicate that using both inorganic and organic fertilizers at the same time increases maize response toward it.