Growth, yield and economics of fodder maize (Zea mays) as influenced by Jeevamrutha formulations under varying nutrient levels

A split plot experiment was conducted at research farm of Agronomy Section, ICAR–National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana during kharif 2018–19 to evaluate various jeevamrutha formulations under the varying nutrient levels in fodder maize (Zea mays L.). In main four [Control (0), 50, 75 and 100% RDF] sub-plot, five (without jeevamrutha), water based @1000 l/ha, @1500 whey l/ha l/ha] were taken as treatments replicated thrice. Better growth attributes, viz. plant height, number leaves per plant, stem girth leaf:stem ratio observed with increased levels. Application RDF resulted 35.01, 61.21 74.19% higher green yield (GFY) over control. Jeevamrutha (whey/water based) significantly improved growth. Significantly dry matter (DMY) (11.65 t/ha) obtained RDF. Whey formulation ((52.83 11.09 closely followed by (51.38 10.79 GFY DMY, respectively. The highest gross returns net (`94.89 70.32 × 103/ha, respectively). Maximum benefit:cost (2.89) recorded l/ha. Interaction effect between suggested that application both forms (Whey water) can save 25%nutrient dose.