TY  - BOOK
AU  - Marwein, Mangkara A.
AU  - B.U. Choudhury
TI  - Influence of phosphorous, lime and water regime on water productivity and phosphorous nutrition of maize (Zea Mays L.)
U1  - 633.158950954164 
PY  - 2014///
CY  - Umiam
PB  - CPGS, CAU
KW  - Maize
KW  - phosphorous Nutrition
KW  - Meghalaya
N2  -   Rainfed maize production  in the Northeastern  states of Meghalaya  often suffers from intermittent moisture stress during peak growing season. The primary cause is due to heavy dependence on erratic temporal distribution of rainfall and the absence of any alternative water supply systems. Dominance of strongly acidic soils (pH<5.5) in the region further induces soil fertility stresses. In the recent past, 
attempts have been made to ameliorate the acid soils of Meghalaya by liming and their ameliorative effect on maize productivity improvement was also well documented. However, information on the response of integrated effects of liming with phosphorus  (P)  fertilization  under differential soil moisture regimes  (water deficit stress to stress free)  on  consumptive water use  as well as maize 
productivity  is  inadequate.  Keeping this in view,  in the  present investigation conducted  in controlled environment  at mid altitude of Meghalaya (250 41/  N latitude, 910 55/ E longitude), integrated effects of liming, and P fertilization under differential water regimes on actual crop evapotranspiration loss (ETc) or consumptive water use, soil health as well maize and water productivity (WP) were studied. Results revealed that seasonal crop ETc  loss of maize varied from as low as 124.3 mm to 270.9 mm across three soil moisture regimes of 25%, 50% and 100% of field capacity (severe, moderate and stress free). With the increase in application of irrigation water from 25% to 100% of field capacity,  a consistent increase in crop ETc loss was registered. Highest seasonal crop ETc loss of 270.9 
mm was  estimated  on application of  P  @ 60 kg ha-1  along with 25% lime requirement and  irrigation to keep soil moisture regime at  100% of field capacity (FC) level. Among the  maize  growth stages,  vegetative stages (tillering to tasseling) contributed the maximum  ETc  loss while the highest weekly  crop ETc loss of 13 -30 mm was estimated during 11-12th weeks after sowing (coincided with 
blistering stage). Weekly ETc loss increased significantly (p<0.05) with the increase in water level (25-100% of FC). Maize crop could able produce grain yield of 6.04 to 11.21 g pot-1  only in stress free water regimes (100% of FC level). Crop WP of grain with respect to ETc  loss  (WPET) varied from 0.71 to 1.36 g grain kg-1 water. Similarly, WP of grain with respect to irrigation water  (WPIR)  varied from 0.42 to 0.78 g grain kg-1  water. Crop WP of biomass with respect to ETc  loss as well as irrigation water also varied widely across different treatment combinations. Among the treatment combinations, application of P @ 60 kg ha-1 along with lime at moisture regime of 100% of field capacity significantly improved  plant growth parameters including biomass (above and below ground) production as well as crop water productivity. Integrated effects of liming, P fertilization and moisture regime was significantly visible in improving post-harvest soil  acidity and fertility parameters  including nutrient availability and nutrient uptake.  Among the three input  factors, water  regime  was  the most crucial in controlling the consumptive water use, nutrient uptake as well crop water productivity of maize.  


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