<div>Background: Integrated nutrient management is considered as one of the major tools in agricultural production worldwide. Occupying 3.5% of gross cropped area (GCA), maize accounts for 2.3% of total fertilizer consumption. Despite its soil status, little is known about the application and dosage of integrated nutrient in the experimental hybrid maize crop in the region. Any strategy against this nutrient deterioration must have a good knowledge of the composition and application of integrated nutrient source utilized. The field study aimed to study the integrated nutrient management in hybrid maize of this region to evaluate the performance in growth, yield and nutrient related problems. 
 
Methods: A Field experiment was conducted during rabi season of 2018, at experimental farm, Department of Agronomy, Annamalai University, Chidambaram, Tamilnadu. India. Thirteen treatments with three replications were laid out in randomized block design. The treatments combinations were T1: Recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) 135:62.5:50 kg N:P2O5:K2O ha-1, T2: RDF + Beema green granules (25 kg ha-1) as soil application, T3: 75% RDF + Beema green granules (25 kg ha-1) as soil application, T4: RDF + Uphaar (250gm ha-1) as foliar spray twice, T5: RDF + Beema green granules (25 kg ha-1) soil application + Uphaar (250gm ha-1) foliar spray twice, T6: 75% RDF + Beema green granules (25 kg ha-1) soil application + Uphaar (250gm ha-1) foliar spray twice, T7: RDF + Tracel (3.75kgha-1) foliar spray twice, T8: RDF + Beema green granules (25 kg ha-1) soil application + Tracel (3.75kg ha-1) foliar spray twice, T9: 75% RDF + Beema green granules (25 kg ha-1) soil application + Tracel (3.75kg ha-1) foliar spray twice, T10: RDF + Uphaar (250gm ha-1) first and Tracel (3.75kg ha-1) second foliar spray. T11: RDF + Beema green granules (25 kg ha-1) soil application + Uphaar (250gm ha-1) first and Tracel (3.75kg ha-1) second foliar spray, T12: 75% RDF + Beema green granules (25 kg ha-1) soil application + Uphaar (250gm ha-1) first and Tracel (3.75kg ha-1) second foliar spray, T13: RDF + water spray twice. The collected samples were statistically analyzed for cob length, cob diameter, grain no. /cob, grain yield, stover yield, available Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium and Post-harvest nutrient status of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Our investigation in the maize hybrid crop has confirmed us with unique results. Among the treatments RDF + Beema green granules (25 kg ha-1) soil application + Uphaar (250gm ha-1) first and Tracel (3.75kg ha-1) second foliar spray (T11) was highly significant with increased yield and yield attributes and was best in gross and net returns too. The present work will be a contribution to the comprehensive study of the integrated nutrient management in hybrid maize. &nbsp;</div>

<div>Production and Economics of Hybrid Maize (Zea mays L.) under Integrated Nutrient Management Practices</div>

Background: Supplement of balanced nutrition is required for the growth and development of crops and humans, particularly essential amino acids, vitamins and minerals. The application of mineral micronutrient fertilizers to soil or plant leaves to increase micronutrient content in edible parts of crop. Therefore, this study is focused to evaluate the effect of agronomic biofortification with different nutrient levels on maize. 
 
Methods: A field experiment was conducted on sandy clayey loam soil during the Rabi season of 2020-21 Perambalur, Tamil Nadu to study the effect of agronomic biofortification through integrated nutrient management for improving maize (Zea mays L.) yield and quality under Cauvery delta condition. Two hybrids in main-plots both, QPM and non-QPM were sown by direct method on ridges at a spacing of 60 x 20 cm under split plot design (SPD) with 6 treatments of nutrient management in sub-plot combination under three replications.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The results revealed that the nutrient level treatments containing 50% RDF through NPK + 50% RDF through FYM with Fe and Zn as foliar application @0.5% conc led to highest growth and yield attributes, grain yield (8.52 tha-1) and stover yield (10.35 tha-1) and also resulted in maximum crude protein content (14.93%), starch content (63.85 mg g-1), Fe (36.25 mg kg-1) and Zn (29.35 mg kg-1) in maize grain. It was observed that Agronomic biofortification through integrated nutrient management enhanced the vegetative growth and yield components of non-QPM hybrid, whereas it improved the grain quality content of the QPM hybrid.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Agronomic Biofortification through Integrated Nutrient Management on Maize (Zea mays L.) Hybrids

<div>Background: Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the most versatile emerging crops having wider adaptability under varied agro-climatic conditions. Nitrogen though an expensive input is very important as it is intimately involved in the process of photosynthesis and directly reflected in the total dry matter production.&nbsp;Phosphorus is involved in a wide range of plant processes from permitting cell division to the development of a good root system and for ensuring timely and uniform ripening of the crop. Potassium plays a vital role as macronutrient in plant growth and sustainable crop production. The current study aimed to study the effect of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium on yield, quality, nutrient content and uptake on hybrid maize (Zea mays L.) under south Gujarat condition. 
 
Methods: A field experiment was conducted during rabi season of the year 2019-20 to study the effect of different levels of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium on yield, quality, nutrient content and uptake by hybrid maize (Zea mays L.). In this experiment twelve treatment combinations consisting of three levels of nitrogen fertilizer, two levels of phosphorus fertilizer and two levels of potassium fertilizer were tried in factorial randomized block design with three replications. The protein content and nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium content and their uptake by seed and stover and available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium status in the soil after harvest of the crop were determined by different methods. 
 
Result: The result showed that quality parameter viz., crude protein content, crude protein yield, nutrient content and uptake by grain and straw of hybrid maize were increased with the increased in nitrogen (180 kg N ha-1), phosphorus (60 kg P2O5 ha-1) and potassium (30 kg K2O ha-1) level.</div>

Effect of&nbsp;Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium on Yield, Quality, Nutrient Content and Uptake on Hybrid Maize (Zea mays L.)

The present study was emphasized to study cost and return of cultivation, the trend in area yield potential and resource use efficiency of hybrid maize of different categories of farm holdings in Sarguja district of Chhattisgarh. A sample of eighty farmers was surveyed (fourty five marginal, twenty five small and ten large) by three stage stratified random sampling method. The result indicated that cost of labour constituted largest component in total variable cost accounted about( 46.89%) followed by manure and fertilizer cost &nbsp;(37.00 %), followed by seed cost (11.60%). Of all the components of fixed cost, &nbsp;rental value of owned land and depreciation cost constituted maximum share about (81.90%) and (16.50%) respectively. The total cost increased with the increase in size of holdings. The total costs of production of maize per hectare was highest for large farmer of Rs. 32079.54/ha followed by small farmer of Rs. 28794.74/ha followed by small farmers of Rs. 27334/ha. There is excess use of labour by marginal farms. The excess labour may be diverted for cultivation of other crops. Large farmers &nbsp;received higher income due to optimal application of fertilizer. Improvement of farm level efficiency relies on technical knowledge of crop as well as income diversification, institutional capacity building that can enhance assets ownership, extension and credit facility.&nbsp;

Economics of hybrid maize cultivation in Sarguja district of Chhattisgarh 
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Background:&nbsp; The present study was aimed to identify the optimum harvest time in hybrid Maize COHM 8 for better seed yield and quality. Seed ability to produce vigorous seedlings is a significant characteristic of any productive crop. The ideal harvest time is one of the factors that contribute to high seed vigor.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: In this proposed study hybrid maize crop was raised at Agricultural Research Station, Veppanthattai, Perambalur District, Tamil Nadu during 2021-22 and seeds were harvested at five days intervals starting from 40 days after tasseling and evaluated for its vigour through cold test, accelerated aging test, seed leachate test etc in addition to germination test.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The seed moisture content was optimum in the seeds harvested at 50 days after tasseling. In the cold test, seeds harvested at 50 days after tasseling performed better (germination of 90%) than other days of harvest, whereas seeds harvested at 40 days after tasseling (germination of 50%) resulted least compared to other days of harvest. The vigour test and accelerated aging test revealed that seeds harvested at 50 days after tasseling reached germination of 90%, the required minimum germination as per the Indian minimum seed certification standards (IMSCS) on the 3rd day of accelerated aging against germination of 48% with seeds harvested after 40 days. Hence it can be concluded that seeds could be harvested between 50-55 days for the maize hybrid COHM 8.

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Effect of Harvesting Time on the Seed Quality of Hybrid Maize (Zea mays L.) COHM 8

Background: Wide hybridization, also known as intergeneric hybridization, has demonstrated encouraging promise for the generation of haploid embryos in triticale when crossed with maize. This strategy makes use of haploid induction, which eliminates the genetic material of maize from the hybrid embryo to produce haploid triticale embryos. 
&nbsp; 
Methods: The study was conducted at the LPU, School of Agriculture, Phagwara, Punjab, during the Rabi season of 2023-2024. The experimental materials included selected maize genotype (PMH 10) as pollen parent and Six triticale genotypes were used as female parents (IC 642724, IC 642662, IC 642661, EC 490146, EC 490148 and EC 490150) obtained from the NBPGR (New Delhi). The study investigates the effects of 2, 4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and silver nitrate on Haploid Embryo Induction in Triticale Following Wide Hybridization with Maize. Four treatment combinations of 2, 4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2, 4-D) and silver nitrate (AgNO3) were evaluated for their impact on haploid embryo induction. 
&nbsp; 
Result: The results showed that T4&nbsp;(2, 4-D + AgNO3, 100 mg/l + 80 mg/l) followed by T3&nbsp;(2, 4-D + AgNO3, 100 mg/l + 60 mg/l) was significant in inducing the formation of haploid embryos, suggesting the synergistic effect of 2, 4-D and AgNO3&nbsp;in promoting haploid induction. However, no significant effect of individual triticale or maize genotypes was observed on the efficiency of haploid embryo induction. The findings contribute to a better understanding of the factors influencing haploid embryo induction in triticale through wide hybridization with maize and provide valuable insights for optimizing this technique.

Effects of 2, 4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid and Silver Nitrate (AgNO3) on Haploid Embryo Induction in Triticale (x Triticosecale) Following Wide Hybridization with Maize (Zea mays L.)

<div>Background: In the wake of unpredictable climate change, it is imperative for the breeders to identify hybrids with better adaptation to meet the growing food demand. The present study was carried out to identify stable maize hybrids across various environments.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Twenty one maize hybrids along with two commercial checks viz., CP-818 and Bioseed-TX369 were tested over three locations viz., Viluppuram, Trivandrum and Nagercoil. The experiments were laid out in randomized block design with three replications.&nbsp; 
 
Result: AMMI and GGE analysis of variance revealed that the first two principal axes explained the majority of G х E interaction. According to AMMI analysis, the hybrid AUK 6240 was relatively stable with high mean whereas, GGE biplots-genotype view identified AUMH 1277 as stable with better yield per plant. GGE biplot-environment view identified Nagercoil as the ideal test location. What-won-where biplots identified three hybrids viz., AU-101, AU-110 and CP-818 suited to Viluppuram and Nagercoil. Though, hybrids with specific adaptability and ideal test location were efficiently identified, study must be extended to more number of environments and hybrids.</div>

<div>Assessment of G x E Interactions in Maize (Zea mays L.) Hybrids for Yield using AMMI and GGE Models</div>

<div>Background: A large area of the maize production in Indo-Gangetic plains of India exposes alternative and combination of prolonged drought spells and heavy rainfall situation due to uncertainty of monsoon patterns. In such context, breeding for maize hybrids with cross-tolerant to both low and excess soil moisture stresses remain the ultimate alternative. 
 
Methods: Evaluation of 75 maize hybrids planted at Banaras Hindu University, India during the subsequent Rabi and Kharif seasons of 2017 and 2018, respectively. The hybrids were evaluated for acquiring information on inter-trait associations among yield and yield-related traits under different soil moisture regimes. The trials were planted in alpha-lattice design and managed stress was imposed and data recorded. 
 
Result: As our investigation was the evident of weak correlations among the traits studied, genotype &times; trait (GT) biplots are not advisable to select/ discard the genotypes under moisture stress conditions. The goodness of fit for GT biplots constructed under studied moisture conditions were almost poor because of fair to moderate correlations among the traits. To accomplish this problem of weak associations, genotype &times; yield &times; trait (GYT) technique was advisable to perform the precise selection of genotypes under studied environments. The investigation emphasized on accuracy and adequacy in implementing of GYT biplots for characterizing and selecting suitable hybrids.</div>

Study on Applicability of Genotype &times; Yield &times; Trait (GYT) Biplots over Genotype &times; Trait (GT) Biplots in Selection of Maize Hybrids across Soil Moisture Regimes

Background: The development of quality protein maize (QPM) hybrids tolerant to terminal stress environments has been an essential strategy for reducing the associated loss in grain yield. A study by <a href="#badu-apraku_2019">Badu-Apraku et al., (2019)</a> employed line &times; tester analysis in QPM breeding, highlighting its efficacy in selecting QPM hybrids. While QPM varieties resistant to disease, drought and environmental stresses have been developed conventionally, the adoption of improved QPM genotypes in farmers&rsquo; field is restricted mainly due to lack of proper team effort among maize breeders, farmers, agricultural extension workers and other relevant stakeholders.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: In line &times; tester mating design, six lines and three testers were crossed under heat stress environment and 18 F1s along with parental lines were evaluated along with check varietal during summer season, 2023, P.G research farm, CUTM, Paralakhemudi, Odisha. The objective of the current study was to evaluate parental lines and its crosses based on combining ability and heterosis.&nbsp; 
 
Result: ANOVA revealed significant to revealed significant differences for all the traits between parents, lines, testers and lines vs testers, except for cob height, chlorophyll content and canopy temperature. &sigma;2GCA/&sigma;2SCA values for parents/hybrids recorded lower than unity for all the trait studied suggesting preponderance of non-additive gene action. Parental lines CML149, CML143 and CML330 are the best general combiners for early flowering, grain yield per plant and antioxidant status. Among eighteen crosses, two hybrids CML149 &times; CML330 and CML143 &times; CML193 recorded significant SCA effects for early flowering, grain yield per plant and antioxidant levels. Hybrids CML149 &times; CML330 (33.31%) and CML143 &times; CML193 (28.31%) noted significant standard heterosis for grain yield per plant over commercial check, HQPM-1. Hybrids CML149 &times; CML330 and CML143 &times; CML193 were resilient to terminal heat stress as they didn&rsquo;t exhibit signs of leaf firing, tassel blast, root lodging and loss of yield.

Genetic Evaluation of Heterosis and Combining Ability of Quality Protein Maize (Zea mays L.) Hybrids under Terminal Heat Stress Conditions

<div>Background: Endophytes are generally defined as symptomless fungal or bacterial microorganisms, which are associated with their host plants by colonizing the internal plant parts, which has made them as a valuble tool in improving crop performance in agriculture. With this view, the study was conducted to assess the efficacy of endophytes when used as seed biopriming agent on plant growth and seed yield of hybrid maize COH(M) 8 under field conditions during 2021-2022.&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 
Methods: The present study was carried out with different endophytic seed priming for 12 hrs duration at the ratio of 1:1 volume/volume with Beauveria bassiana @ 5%, Metarhizium anisopliae @ 5% and Bacillus subtilis @ 8% along with hydro priming and untreated control combined with foliar spray at 30th and 50th days after sowing (DAS).&nbsp; 
 
Result: The results revealed that among various endophytes used in this study, M. anisopliae @ 5% when used for biopriming of seeds as well as for foliar spraying @ 0.5% maximized the plant height (208.4 cm @ 45 DAS and 247.8 cm @ 75 DAS), leaf length (76.0 cm) chlorophyll (chl) content (chl a 0.423 mg/g, chl b 0.229 mg/g and total chl 0.652 mg/g), cob length (21.2 cm), seed yield/plot (6.89 kg) and seed yield/ha (5744 kg).&nbsp;</div>

Production and Economics of Hybrid Maize (Zea mays L.) under Integrated Nutrient Management Practices

Agronomic Biofortification through Integrated Nutrient Management on Maize (Zea mays L.) Hybrids

Effect of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium on Yield, Quality, Nutrient Content and Uptake on Hybrid Maize (Zea mays L.)

Economics of hybrid maize cultivation in Sarguja district of Chhattisgarh

Effect of Harvesting Time on the Seed Quality of Hybrid Maize (Zea mays L.) COHM 8

Effects of 2, 4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid and Silver Nitrate (AgNO₃) on Haploid Embryo Induction in Triticale (x Triticosecale) Following Wide Hybridization with Maize (Zea mays L.)

Assessment of G x E Interactions in Maize (Zea mays L.) Hybrids for Yield using AMMI and GGE Models

Study on Applicability of Genotype × Yield × Trait (GYT) Biplots over Genotype × Trait (GT) Biplots in Selection of Maize Hybrids across Soil Moisture Regimes

Genetic Evaluation of Heterosis and Combining Ability of Quality Protein Maize (Zea mays L.) Hybrids under Terminal Heat Stress Conditions

Seed Biopriming by Endophytes for Enhanced Field Performance of Hybrid Maize (Zea mays L.) COH(M) 8