Abstract
Maize response to high nitrogenous fertilization levels is a means among other means to know maximum productivity, from this perspective, a field nitrogen management trial using five N levels (0, 23, 46, 69 and 92 kg N/ha) with three replications. The study was conducted in 2015 in Decha District, ModyoGomberaKebele of Kaffa Zone, SNNPR State. The experiment was laid out in RCBD. The result of this study indicated that effects of different rates of N fertilizer had influenced the growth and yield components of maize. The tallest plant (360.66 cm) was recorded from the application of 92 kg N ha-1 and the shortest (347.33 cm) from no N application. The ANoVA for the number of kernels per ear showed that the lowest kernels per ear (497.86) were obtained from no N application and the highest kernels per ear (588) were obtained from the application of 92 kg N ha-1 although there was no significant difference between the application of 69 and 92 kg N ha-1. Regarding to ear length the data showed that the longest ear (23.63 cm) was obtained from the application of 92 kg N ha-1. The effect of N on grain yield indicated that there is no significant difference between the application of 69 and 92 kg N ha-1 even if there is a slight difference on yield. Generally, maximum N fertilization level (92 Kg N/ha) in this study area showed increase in growth and yield components (number of kernels per ear and ear length). However the application of 69 kg N ha-1 seems adequate to get the optimum yield.
Highlights
Maize (Zea mays L.) is the world’s widely grown highland cereal and primary staple food crop in many developing countries (Kandil, 2013)
EFFECTS OF NITROGEN FERTILIZER ON GROWTH PARAMETERS
The data showed that the minimum number of leaves per plant (15.8) was obtained from no N application and the maximum numbers of leaves per plant (17.2) were obtained from the application of 69 and 92 kg N ha-1
Summary
Maize (Zea mays L.) is the world’s widely grown highland cereal and primary staple food crop in many developing countries (Kandil, 2013). It was originated in America and first cultivated in the area of Mexico more than 7,000 years ago, and spread throughout North and South America (Hailare, 2000). In 2014, the United States topped the list of ten maize producing countries which includes China, Brazil, EU-27, Ukraine, Argentina, India, Mexico, South Africa and Canada with an amount of about 351 million metric tons (Statista, 2015). World production of white maize is currently estimated to be around 65 to 70 million tons. The main white maize producers in Africa include Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe (Kidist, 2013)
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