VALUE ADDED FERTILIZERS AMELIORATE GRAIN YIELD AND NUTRITIONAL QUALITY OF MAIZE CROP

Abstract

A field trial was conducted to gauge the impact of value added NPK fertilizer,
Zarkhez Plus, (N:08%;P:23%; K;18%) and biologically activated Zinc coated Urea (BAZU) maize.
Treatments consisted; Control (T1), Straight Fertilizers (DAP, MoP, Urea) (T2), Zarkhez Plus + BAZU
as 1/3rd replacement of Urea (T3), Zarkhez Plus + BAZU as 2/3rd replacement of Urea (T4), and
Zarkhez Plus + BAZU as 1/3rd replacement of Urea (T5). Results suggested that plant height, stem
girth, rows cob-1, grains row-1, grains cob-1, thousand seed weight were significantly improved by the
application of Zarkhez Plus and BAZU. Grain yield was increased upto 30% with the application of
Zarkhez Plus and BAZU compared to straight fertilizers. Application of BAZU beyond 1/3rd of the
total N requirement did not increase the grain yield significantly but improved grain quality with
higher Zn and K contents. Maize grain yield can be significantly increased with the application of
Zerkhez Plus and replacing 1/3rd in-season N requirement with BAZU.