Quality of fodder maize (Zea mays L.) and soil health influenced by nitrogen, seed rate and zinc in Kashmir Valley

A field study was conducted in kharif season of 2009 and 2010 at the Research farm (SKUAST-K) to ascertain the impact of three nitrogen levels (60,90 and 120 kg ha⁻¹), three seed rates (40,60 and 80 kg ha⁻¹) and two zinc levels (0 and 10 kg ha⁻¹) on quality of fodder maize and soil health. Results revealed that green and dry fodder yield recorded significant and consistent increase with increase in levels of nitrogen from 60 to 120 kg ha⁻¹. Crude protein content and yield increased discernibly with increasing N rates, whereas, crude fiber content showed significant decrease up to 120 kg N ha⁻¹. Calcium content recorded with 90 and 120 kgNha⁻¹ being at par, remained significantly higher than 60 kg N ha⁻¹, whereas, ash content increased significantly and consistently with increase in nitrogen from 60 to 120 kg N ha⁻¹. Varying seed rates up to 80 kg ha increased green fodder yield markedly, whereas, dry fodder yield recorded with 60 and 80 kg seed rate being at par, was significantly highest than 40 kg seed rate ha⁻¹. Different seed rates could not affect crude protein content, but crude fiber content decreased significantly and consistently with increasing seed rates. Calcium content remained unaffected, whereas, ash content of fodder maize decreased significantly and consistently with increase in seed rate from 40 to 80 kg ha⁻¹. The soil application of ZnSO₄ @ 14 kg ha⁻¹ recorded discernible increase in green, dry fodder yield, crude protein, calcium and ash content over no application of zinc, whereas crude fiber content and yield registered significantly lower values at 10 kg zinc than no application. After crop harvest available N in soil decreased slightly than initial status, however, available zinc was higher than initial values where applied as such resulted enrichment of soil health for succeeding crop. Better yield and quality fodder maize was recorded with the N @ 120 kg ha⁻¹+ seed rate @ 80 kg ha⁻¹ along with zinc application.