Maize (Zea Mays L.) Yield and Nutrient Content as Influenced by Different Levels of Silicon and Phosphorus in Typic Ustochrepts Soil

Abstract

The effort was made for study the maize yield and nutrient content as influenced by different levels of silicon and phosphorus in Typic Ustochrepts soil. A pot experiment was conducted in 2012 in the greenhouse of the Anand Agricultural University, Anand. Treatments were arranged in a factorial completely randomized design with silicon factor at five levels (0, 100, 200, 300 and 400 ppm) and two levels of P (0 and 40 mg P kg soil-1) and maize were taken as a test crop with three replicates. Indian improved and high –yielding variety, GM-6, was used. The application of Si @ 300 mg Si kg-1 soil recorded significantly the highest green shoot yield (93.03 g pot-1) in loamy sand soil, whereas, the highest dry shoot yield (52.25 g pot-1 and 64.3 g pot-1) was noted under same treatment in both the soils. On the whole results of study indicate that application of silicon @ 300 mg kg-1 and phosphorus at 40 mg P2O5 kg-1 gave highest maize yield under P stress condition and also enhanced silicon, phosphorus content by maize plant but obtainable Fe and Mn contents were significantly decline by maize plant.