Influence of Iron and AM Inoculation on Metabolically Active Iron, Chlorophyll Content and Yield of Hybrid Maize in Calcareous Soil

Iron deficiencies are commonly seen in calcareous soils which often reduce the yield of the crops. Iron application in conjunction with Arbuscular mycorrhizae may help to increase the metabolically active iron content in the plants and hence the yields. The objective of this experiment was to study the influence of iron and arbuscular mycorrhizae inoculation on metabolically active iron, chlorophyll content and yield of hybrid maize in calcareous soil. Hence, field experiment was conducted at the Department of Agronomy, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore during Kharif 2010. The results revealed that the iron treatments, AM inoculation and their combination positively influenced the metabolically active iron, chlorophyll content and yield of hybrid maize. In case of iron treatments, 50 kg FeSO4 ha-1+0.5% FeSO4 foliar spray recorded higher MAI, chlorophyll content and yield. Regarding arbuscular mycorrhizae inoculation, AM inoculated plants recorded the highest value and considering their combination, 25 kg FeSO4 ha-1+0.5% FeSO4 foliar spray along with AM inoculation recorded the highest MAI, chlorophyll content and yield.