Comparative Growth and Grain Yield Response of Five Maize Varieties to Nitrogen Fertilizer Application

Abstract

Field trials were conducted at the research field of Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Moor plantation, Ibadan during 2010 and 2011 cropping season in order to evaluate the performances of five open pollinated maize varieties subjected to two fertility levels 0 and 100 kg Nha -1 fertilizer. The trials consisted of split-plots arranged in randomized complete block design of three replicates. The objective was to evaluate and compare the responses of five maize varieties to N fertilizer application. Data were obtained from plant height, ear height, leaf area, ear length, number of kernels per cob, weight of 100 kernels and grain yield. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and means separated by DMRT (P=0.05 and 0.01). The results obtained showed that N fertilizer significantly increased the growth and yield related parameters of all the traits except ear height and ear length while grain yield was higher in 2011. Varieties by nitrogen interactions differed significantly for the various parameters measured except for ear height and kernel/cob. In the fertilized plots ART SW5-OB had highest mean grain yield. Obatanpa and ARTSW6-OB had highest grain yield compared with other varieties in the fertilizer stressed plots while Ile1-OB had highest yield reduction under the two fertility environments. ARTSW5-OB had the highest nitrogen use efficiency while Obatanpa and ARTSW6-OB were least, but produces better grain yield under low nitrogen input. In conclusion, the result indicated a positive and varied response of maize varieties to nitrogen fertilizer application.