Effect of Next Generation Fertilizers on Growth and Yield Potential of Maize (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

To reduce the existing yield gap of maize crop between research and farmer’s field, the experiment was carried out during the period from March, 2014 to June, 2014 at the experimental field of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka, Bangladesh. The experiments were laid out in RCBD method with three replications and eight treatments including control viz. Treatment₀=control (no fertilizer), Treatment₁=recommended dose N₂₅₀ P₅₀ K₁₀₀ S₂₅ Zn₂ B₁ kg ha^-1, Treatment₂=American NPK+N₂₅₀ P₅₀ K₁₀₀ S₂₅ Zn₂ B₁, Treatment₃=Bio-forge+N₂₅₀ P₅₀ K₁₀₀ S₂₅ Zn₂ B₁, Treatment₄=Wuxal+N₂₅₀ P₅₀ K₁₀₀ S₂₅ Zn₂ B₁, Treatment₅=Peak+N₂₅₀P₅₀K₁₀₀S₂₅Zn₂B₁, Treatment₆=Root Feed+N₂₅₀ P₅₀ K₁₀₀ S₂₅ Zn₂ B₁ and Treatment₇=Nitro Plus + N₂₅₀ P₅₀ K₁₀₀ S₂₅ Zn₂ B₁ and three maize varieties namely Variety₁=BARI Hybrid Bhutta-5, Variety₂=BARI Hybrid Bhutta-6 and Variety₃=BARI Hybrid Bhutta-9. Growth and yield contributing characters mainly plant height, cob length, cob weight, 100-kernel weight and kernel yield of maize crop were significantly influenced by the next generation fertilizers. Bio-forge along with other recommended fertilizers performed the best compared to other treatments of the study in aspect of kernel yield (5.95 t ha¹) and statistically similar result showed by Root Feed along with other recommended fertilizers and produced 5.12 t ha¹ kernel yield.