Different planting methods and potassium levels affect the growth and yield of maize (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at the School of Agriculture, Lovely Professional University research farm, Phagwara, Punjab, during the spring of 2023. The experiment used a Split Plot Design with three replications of 16 treatment combinations. The treatment combination comprises four different spacing in the main plot (flatbed:60 x 20 cm, ridge bed: 60 x 20 cm, flat bed: 45 x 20 cm and ridge bed: 45 x 20 cm) and four levels of potassium (0 kg K/ha, 20 kg K/ha, 40 kg K/ha and 60 kg K/ha). The soil of the experimental field was sandy loam in texture with normal pH and EC, and available nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium were in the medium range (172.43, 27.4, 238.6 kg/ha). The treatment combination of Ridge Bed with a spacing of 45 x 20 cm and 40 kg K/ha gives the best results. It results in rapid tasselling, cob formation, maturity, and crop growth rate reaching its highest levels. Yield attributes such as cob length, cob girth, rows per cob, grains per row, grains per cob, grain and stover yields were also significantly higher in (ridge bed: 45 x 20 cm with 40 kg K/ha) over the other treatment combinations.