Effect of splitting nitrogen and harvesting time on yield and economics of fodder Maize (Zea mays L.)

The field experiment entitled “Effect of splitting of nitrogen and harvesting time on yield and economics of fodder maize (Zea mays L.)” was conducted during the kharif season of 2023-24 at Dr. Sharadchandra Pawar College of Agriculture, Baramati. The field research was laid out in factorial randomized block design (FRBD) with three replications. There were nine treatment combinations consisting of three nitrogen splitting treatments i.e., N1: 50 % RDN at (basal) + 50 % RDN at 30 DAS, N2: 75 % RDN at (basal) + 12.5 % RDN at 15 DAS and 12.5 RDN at 30 DAS, N3: 50 % RDN at (basal) + 25 % RDN at 15 DAS and 25 % RDN at 30 DAS and three harvesting times i.e., C1: Harvesting at flowering stage, C2: Harvesting at milk stage, C3: Harvesting at physiological maturity stage. Among different nitrogen splitting, applications of 50 % RDN at (basal) + 25 % RDN at 15 DAS and 25 % RDN at 30 DAS recorded significantly higher yield parameters and economics studies such as green fodder yield (581.96 q ha-1), dry matter content (21.61%) dry matter yield (126 q ha-1), gross monetary returns (₹ 192045 ha-1), net monetary returns (₹ 117740 ha-1) and B: C ratio (2.58) than other treatments. Whereas, harvesting time of fodder maize harvesting at physiological maturity obtained significantly higher yield parameters and economics studies viz., green fodder yield (580.58 q ha-1), dry matter content (21.79%), dry matter yield (126.95 q ha-1), gross monetary returns (₹ 191591 ha-1), net monetary returns (₹ 113787 ha-1) and B: C ratio (2.47) as compared to other remaining harvesting stages.