Balanced micronutrient management is essential for improving maize productivity, particularly in semi-arid regions where soil nutrient deficiencies are widespread. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of zinc (Zn) and boron (B) on the growth, yield, and economic performance of maize (Zea mays L.) in the Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh, India. A field experiment was carried out during the Kharif season of 2025 at the Agricultural Research Farm, Nehru Mahavidyalaya, Lalitpur, using a randomized block design (RBD) with nine treatments and three replications. The treatments comprised different levels and combinations of zinc and boron applied through soil and/or foliar methods. Observations were recorded on growth parameters, yield attributes, grain and stover yield, and economic returns. The results indicated that micronutrient application significantly improved crop performance over the control. The combined application of zinc and boron (T₉) proved most effective, recording the highest values of growth parameters, including number of leaves and dry matter accumulation. Yield attributes such as number of cobs per plant, grains per cob, cob length, and test weight were also significantly enhanced under this treatment. Consequently, the highest grain yield (52.1 q ha⁻¹), stover yield (93.5 q ha⁻¹), and harvest index (35.8%) were recorded in T₉. Economic analysis revealed that the same treatment resulted in maximum gross and net returns with a benefit–cost ratio of 2.16, indicating its economic superiority. Thus, the combined application of zinc and boron is an effective and economically viable strategy for enhancing maize productivity under semi-arid conditions.
