Influence of Crop Geometry and Mulching on Growth and Yield of Maize [Zea mays L.]

Abstract:

A field experiment was conducted at the Research Farm, Vivekananda Global University, Jaipur, during the Kharif season, 2025 on loamy sand soil. The experiment comprised twelve treatment combinations involving four levels of crop geometry (60 cm × 20 cm, 60 cm × 25 cm, 75 cm × 20 cm, and 75 cm × 25 cm) and three levels of mulching (No mulch, Organic mulch @ 5 t ha⁻¹, and Plastic mulch) which was laid out in a Factorial Randomized Block Design (FRBD) and replicated thrice. The results indicated that among the treatments applied, the crop geometry of 75 cm × 25 cm (G₄) recorded significantly higher growth and yield parameters viz., plant height, dry matter accumulation, number of cobs per plant, cob length, number of grains per row, number of grains per cob, seed index, grain (4641 kg ha⁻¹) and stover (9674 kg ha⁻¹) yield of maize. This was found to be at par with the application of 60 cm × 25 cm (G₂) for most yield attributes and final yields. Regarding mulching, the application of Organic mulch (M₂) recorded significantly higher growth and yield attributes, including grain yield (4086 kg ha⁻¹) and stover yield (8992 kg ha⁻¹), compared to the control. Grain yield was significantly and positively correlated with the number of grains per cob, seed index, and biological yield. Maximum net return (Rs. 96,996.6 ha⁻¹) and highest B:C ratio (2.9) were obtained with the application of 75 cm × 25 cm (G₄) geometry. In the case of mulching, while organic mulch (M₂) improved productivity, the highest B:C ratio (2.7) was recorded with the no-mulch control (M₁) due to the lower cost of cultivation. The economically optimum crop geometry for maize was found to be 75 cm × 25 cm.