SOWING DATE AND NUTRIENT EFFECTS ON MAIZE GENOTYPES FOR ENHANCE YIELD

In recent climate changes, the optimum sowing time for best maize (Zea mays L.) genotype with desired nutrients management is the best option to overcome production cost in the developing countries. This study was aimed to compare three sowing timings starting from very early i.e. Feb. 20, with a 10 days difference i.e. Mar. 02 and Mar. 12 comparing three recommended maize hybrids (CS-200, Garanon and Pioneer 3025) under provided nutrient managements (sole bacterial coated urea (PGPB), sole bacterial coated DAP, 50% each bacterial coated urea and normal urea, and 50% each bacterial coated urea and DAP) to yields a uniform rates of 150 kg N ha-1 and 90 kg P ha-1. Experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design replicated three times with split plot arrangement. Sowing timings and genotypes were in the main-plot as treatment and nutrients combinations in sub-plots. Early sowing i.e Feb. 20 resulted in with a higher dry matter partitioning for stem, leaves, and ears before tasseling of the plant growth and development in both years of the study (2018 and 2019). The same early sowing timing has also resulted in with dry matter partitioning within stem, leaves and ears at the crop physiological maturity for both years of the study and hence resulted in with better traits i.e. grain number row-1 and grain ear-1, unit grain weight (g) and hence the final grain yield. Higher dry matter accumulation and partitioning within stem, leaf, and ear at pre-silking and post-silking favors the early sowing in the season and superiority of the maize genotypes Garanon with healthy traits. Moreover, sole bacterial coated DAP has also resulted in with higher dry matters and healthy traits and hence the grain yield. The study concludes that early sowing in February of the hybrid Garanon) if treated with sole bacterial coated DAP is the best option for maize growers in a climate similar to Charsadda Pakistan for maize production.