Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

EFFECT OF DIFFERENT ORGANIC MANURES ON YIELD AND NUTRIENT UPTAKE BY MAIZE (ZEA MAYS L.)

C. S. Mponya, S.K. Sharma, R. H. Meena and M. K. Koshik

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted to assess the effect of three organic manures on yield and nutrient uptake by maize. Application of organic manures at higher levels significantly increased yield (grain, biological and stover) and growth parameters of maize viz., plant height, chlorophyll content, leaf area index, and dry weight as compared to lower levels. The highest grain, stover and biological yield (3200, 5980 and 9180 kg ha-1, respectively) was attained under application of vermicompost at 15 t ha-1. Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, iron, copper and manganese content and uptake in grain and stover significantly increased with increased rate of organic manure application. Nitrogen content and uptake significantly increased with the application of vermicompost at 15 t ha-1 while phosphorous content and uptake was significantly influenced by the application bokashi manure at the same rate. Zinc, iron and copper content in grain and stover were greatly influenced by vermicompost application while bokashi increased the content in manganese. Farmyard manure did not significantly impact on the maize productivity in comparison to vermicompost and bokashi manures.