Productivity and economics of maize (Zea mays L.) as influenced by phosphorus management in

Phosphorus is an important nutrient needed for normal growth and development of the plants. The utilization efficiency of applied phosphatic fertilizers is only 15-20 percent (Katyal and Reddy, 2000). Based on about 3.5 million soil samples tests in India, about 42 per cent of the samples have been rendered low, 38 per cent are medium and 20 per cent are high in available phosphorus. Apparently the P deficiency is wide spread in all agriculturally important states (Motsara, 2002). Farmyard manure (FYM) application plays key role in transformation, cycling and availability of nutrients to the crop plants. Further the use of certain biofertilizers may prove beneficial in reducing the cost of fertilizers. Adequate supply of phosphorus is a vital requisite for increasing and stabilizing the production of maize. Keeping this in view, the present study was undertaken to study the effect of various sources of phosphorus on productivity and economics of maize. The field experiment was conducted durin