Effect of Graded Levels of Magnesium on Dry Matter Production and Yield of Maize Cultivated in Soils of Maize Growing Tracts in Pudukkottai District of Tamil Nadu
In order to assess the effect of graded levels of applied magnesium (Mg) (0, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 kg ha-1) on the soil available major nutrients, field experiments were conducted in 14 farmer’s holdings at Pudukkottai district with hybrid maize (NK 6240) as a test crop. Dry matter production (DMP) of the whole plant (above ground) at harvest stage of maize was significantly influenced by the application of 100% NPK + 10 kg Mg ha-1 and recorded the highest mean as 25620 kg ha-1 at harvest stage. A noticeable increase in grain and stover yield of maize crop was manifested by applying 100% NPK + 10 kg Mg ha-1 which recorded the highest mean yield as 11.6 t ha-1 and 14.0 t ha-1, respectively. It reported a 14.31 and 22.25 per cent increase in grain and stover yields, respectively, over control.