Abstract
Phosphorous (P2O5 ) is a primal component in crop nutrition but immobile in soil. Imbalanced use of phosphatic fertilizers with indecorous method of application reduces its efficiency in soil plant system. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted to examine the comparative efficacy of various levels of phosphorus and to sieve most site specific and appropriate application method for better quantity and quality of fodder produced by forage maize. Randomized Complete Block design (RCBD) with factorial arrangement in triplicate was used for this field experiment. Factors were; placement methods (broadcast and band placement) and phosphorus levels (40, 60 and 80 kg ha-1 ). Placement methods exhibited a significant effect on green forage maize yield, fresh and dry weight, plant height, leaf area and stem diameter while non-significant effects on number of leaves plant-1 , crude fiber, and total ash, though the effects of phosphorus level were significant for all parameters. The highest green forage yield (58.15 t ha-1 ) was achieved when phosphorus was applied as band placement. Similarly, maximal fresh (302.17 g) and dry weight per plant (78.83 g) of forage maize was also obtained when phosphorus was applied as band placement. Furthermore, phosphorus application as band placement gave greatest plant height (194.46 cm). Among yield and yield related components; highest leaf area per plant (2734.2 cm-2 ) and also stem diameter (1.65), was found when phosphorus was applied as band placement. Quality traits including crude protein and crude fiber were also significantly affected by different phosphorus levels. Likewise, placement methods significantly affected the crude protein. In conclusion, P2O5 level of 80 kg per hectare applied with band method is better technique for significant improvement in yield and quality traits of forage maize.
