Influence of Detopping on Fodder, Grain Yield and Economics of Rainfed Maize (Zea mays L.)

Field experiments were conducted at Maize Research Station, Vagarai, Palani Taluk, Tamilnadu during rabi 2018-19 and 2019-20 to find out the influence of detopping on green fodder, grain yield and economics of rainfed maize (Zea mays L.). The experiments were laid out in a factorial randomized block design with three stages and three heights of detopping. Three stages of detopping viz., D1-10 days after 50% silking, D2 -20 days after 50% silking and D3-30 days after 50% silking were tested with three heights of detopping viz., L1 - detopping tassel + 2 leaves, L2 - detopping tassel + 4 leaves and L3 - detopping tassel + 6 leaves with a control (No detopping) replicated thrice. The results of the experiments revealed that detopping 10 days after 50% silking with tassel + 6 leaves recorded higher green fodder yield Regarding grain yield, among the days of detopping, detopping 30 days after 50% silking and detopping 20 days after 50% silking recorded higher yield which were comparable with control (no detopping) (6460 kg / ha). Among the number of leaves, detopping tassel + two leaves recorded higher yield followed by tassel + 4 leaves and both were comparable. Among the treatment combinations, higher grain yield was recorded under detopping 20 days after 50% silking with tassel + 4 leaves followed by detopping 30 days after 50% silking with tassel + 4 leaves and detopping 30 days after 50% silking with tassel + 2 leaves. Regarding economics, higher net return and BC ratio were recorded under the treatment combination of detopping 20 days after 50% silking with tassel + 4 leaves followed by control and detopping 30 days after 50% silking with tassel + 4 leaves.