All the pots were applied nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) fertilizers according to the recommended rate. Applications of nitrogen fertilizers (150 kg N ha-1) as urea split into 3 times at 15 days after planting (DAP) (25%), 35 DAP (30%) and 55 DAP (45%). Phosphorus (90 kg P2O5 ha-1) as rock phosphate and potassium (150 kg K2O ha-1) as muriate of potash applied at basal and at panicle initiation stage at 55DAP