ISSN : 1225-8504(Print)
ISSN : 2287-8165(Online)
ISSN : 2287-8165(Online)
Journal of the Korean Society of International Agriculture Vol.37 No.1 pp.27-34
DOI : https://doi.org/10.12719/KSIA.2025.37.1.27
DOI : https://doi.org/10.12719/KSIA.2025.37.1.27
Modernizing Maize Cultivation: Implementing Advanced Production Technologies for Maximum Biomass of Fodder Maize (Zea mays. L)
Abstract
Maize (Zea mays. L) is one of the major sources of green fodder for livestock in Pakistan. Crop management plays a key role in obtaining high yields for green fodder. Fertilizer application, seed rate, and row spacing are critical components of crop management, which can significantly affect crop biomass. To determine the best production technology, a two-year (2021-2023) study was conducted at the research area of National Agricultural Research Center, Islamabad. Plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, green fodder yield per acre, and green fodder yield per hectare were recorded. Various row spacing (15 cm, 30 cm, 45 cm, and 60 cm), fertilizer ratio (N: P = 55:30, 65:40, 75:50, and 85:60), and seed rates (30 kg/ac, 35 kg/ac, 40 kg/ac, and 45 kg/ac) were applied. Results obtained experiments revealed that in both growing seasons, the maximum green fodder yield was obtained when fertilizer N: P ratio was 75:50 (green fodder biomass: 74.61 t/ha and 72.56 t/ha). Similarly, the optimal seed rate was found to be 40 kg/ac, which resulted in the highest green fodder yield (73.41 t/ha and 72.88 t/ha in two seasons). Furthermore, the plant of maize at row spacing of 30 cm was found to generate the maximum green fodder yield (72.39 t/ha and 72.40 t/ha, respectively). Green fodder yield per hectare was found to be positively correlated with plant height, number of leaves, and leaf area. These findings underscore the significance of applying a fertilizer ratio of N: P = 75:50, a seed rate 40 kg/ac, and a row spacing of 45 cm for higher yields of green fodder in maize crop.