Enhanced fodder yield of maize genotypes under saline irrigation is a function of their increased K accumulation and better K/Na ratio

Poor quality irrigation water adversely affects the growth and yield of crops. This study was designed to evaluate the growth, fodder yield and ionic concentration of three promising maize (Zea mays L.) genotypes under the influence of varying quality irrigation water, with different salinity levels. The genotypes, such as EV-1097, Kisan and Akbar were irrigated with usable (electrical conductivity, EC 1.5 dS m-1), marginal (EC 3.0 dS m-1), poor (EC 4.5 dS m-1) and very poor (EC 7.0 dS m-1) quality irrigationwater. The increasing adverse effects on various growth and yield variables of all three genotypes were observed with the increasing water salinity. Also, soil EC, SAR and ESP values increased linearly with increasing salinity levels of irrigation water. Poor quality irrigation water affected all the growthvariables and yield of maize. Increasing concentrations of sodium and chloride ions, coupled with decreasing concentration of potassium, in flag leaf of maize was observed in response to increasing salinity of irrigation water. The genotypic variation among the three maize genotypes to saline water irrigation was in order of EV-1097 > Kisan > Akbar. The better fresh fodder yield of maize genotypes under poor quality irrigation water was a function of their enhanced accumulation of potassium (K) and better K/Na ratio. The study concluded that, the genotype EV-1097 is a better choice for the maize growers under saline water irrigation condition.Key words: Maize (Zea Mays L.), fodder yield, saline irrigation, K accumulation, K/Na ratio

Comparative evaluation of organic wastes for improving maize growth and NPK content

Plant residues being organic in nature are rich source of macro and micronutrients and can be recycled to prevent their disposal in the environment, thus sustaining the balance between economic development and environmental protection. The potential of three agricultural waste composts, farmyard manure (FYM), banana waste (BW) and pressmud (PM) was tested in a pot experiment growing maize. The results of the experiment showed highly significant increase in plant height, dry matter yields and NPK contents with the application of fertilizers, particularly nitrogen (N). Application of un-decomposed farmyard manure (UD-FYM), un-decomposed banana waste (UD-BW) and un-decomposed pressmud (UD-PM) generally depressed plant growth and dry matter yields as compared to control treatment. Maize growth, dry matter yields and NPK contents improved significantly when untreated compost (UC) or treated compost (TC) were added, but it was still below the fertilizer treatments. On comparative basis, maize response was better with PM, followed by FYM and BW. This study clearly shows the beneficial role of composted materials. It is suggested that further studies may be conducted on various aspects of composting technology, and integrated use of various composts and mineral fertilizers to determine their role in crop nutrition and sustainable production.Key words: Composting, organic waste, farmyard manure, banana waste, pressmud