Response Of Maize (Zea Mays L.) Hybrids To Different Fertility Regimes Under Agro-Climatic Condition Of Dera Ismail Khan

Abstract

Studies on response of maize hybrids to different fertility regimes under agro-ecological environment of Dera Ismail Khan were carried out at Agriculture Research Institute, D.I. Khan in Kharif season 2013. The trail was conducted in RCB design with 3 replication in a split plot manner with a net plot size of 5 m × 3 m (15 m²). The maize hybrids, used were Pioneer 30k08, Pioneer 3025, Aresta1002W and Verbal 505W. These hybrids were evaluated at fertility regimes viz., F1 (200-150-100 NPK kg ha^-1), F2 (250-200-150 NPK kg ha^-1) and F3 (300-250-200 NPK kg ha^-1). Results revealed that different fertilizer levels and various maize hybrids significantly affected the yield and various yield contributing parameters. The maximum plant height of 188.3 cm  was recorded in Pioneer 3025 while high germination percentage (98.6%) was  noted in Pioneer 30k08 at F2 fertilizer levels. On the other hand maximum crop growth rate (CGR) (38.6 gm^-2day^-1), net assimilation rate (NAR) 780.4 gm^-2day^-1 and relative growth rate (RGR) 6.52 was observed in Pioneer 3025 at F1 fertilizer level. The data regarding grain yield depicted that the maximum grain yield of 9.25 tons per hectare was observed and biological yield of 30.9 tons per hectare was obtained by Pioneer 3025. It is therefore, concluded from the present research that the highest fertilizer dose of 300:250:200 NPK kg ha^-1and the maize hybrid Pioneer 3025 proved the most profitable combination among all the treatments and hence recommended for agro-climatic condition of Dera Ismail khan.