Productivity and profitability improvement of fodder maize under combined application of indigenously prepared panchagavya with organic and inorganic sources of nutrient

Irrational use of chemical fertilizers creates harmful effects on soil health and thus, led to a drop in crop productivity in the Indo-Gangetic Plains region (IGPR) of India. Organic nutrient sources such as Panchagavya and PGPR can be used to replace some proportion of chemical fertilizers to sustain productivity and soil health in the IGPR belt. This study was undertaken to determine the effect of integrated use of chemical fertilizers, organic manures and bio-fertilizers such as Panchagavya and PGPR on the productivity and economic feasibility of different maize cultivars. Results indicated that the J-1006 cultivar showed significantly higher fodder yield, nutrient use efficiencies and profitability than P-3396 and African Tall during both years. Though, nutrient content and accumulation were statistically at par with J-1006 and P-3396, but superior over African Tall. Among nutrient management, the maize fertilized with 75% RDF + PGPR +Panchagavya spray showed significantly higher fodder yield, nutrient content, accumulation, nutrient use efficiencies and net returns compared to control and 100% RDF. Overall, the growing of maize cv. J-1006 with the application of 75% RDF + PGPR + Panchagavya spray can be recommended to enhance fodder productivity, nutrient accumulation and profitability in the IGPR belt of India.