Investigating the Response of Boron on Yield and Economics of Maize under Eastern Ghat High Land Zone of Odisha

Abstract

During the kharif 2016 season, a field experiment was undertaken on farmers' fields in Sankumari village of Nabarangpur district of Odisha's Eastern Ghat High Land (EGHL) zone to analyse the impact of boron application on maize yield and economics. Maize has been grown in various seasons and places, with crop durations ranging from <90-130 days, due to its photo insensitivity. Maize being a C4 plant has higher yield potential which also depends on nutrient supplying capacity of the soil. The study used a Randomized Block Design, with four treatments replicated five times. The experimental soils were slightly acidic, non-saline loamy sands with a medium level of organic carbon and available K but low levels of available N, P, B, and Zn. The highest possible grain yieldper cob (210.21 g),100 seeds weight (38.16 g), stover yield (8.10 t ha^-1), grain yield (6.52 t ha^-1), total dry biomass (14.62 t ha^-1), harvest index (44.59%) and B:C ratio (1.90) were recorded in Soil Test Based NPKZn @ 150:75:60:6.25 kg ha^-1 + 0.5 kg B ha^-1 soil application + 0.2% borax as foliar spray at 30 and 45 DAS (T₄) followed by Soil Test Based NPKZn @ 150:75:60:6.25 kg ha^-1 + 1.0 kg B ha^-1(T₃) over control (i.e. Soil Test Based NPKZn @ 150:75:60:6.25 kg ha^-1+ 0 kg B ha^-1). As a result, the Soil Test Based boron fertiliser application needs to be followed in soil deficient in boron under continuous maize producing areas of Odisha's EGHL zone for farmers to produce remunerative maize.