EFFECT OF NITROGEN LEVELS AND APPLICATION SCHEDULING ON THE GROWTH AND YIELD OF MAIZE

Abstract

A field trial was conducted to assess the effect of Nitrogen (N) levels and application scheduling on the growth and grain yield of maize. The results revealed that growth and grain yield traits of maize were influenced significantly (P<0.01) due to different Nitrogen (N) levels and application schedule. Crop fertilized with the highest Nitrogen (N) level of 180 kg per ha resulted from 185.07 cm plant height, 11.94 leaves per plant, 473.92 cm leaf area per plant, 1.73 cobs per plant, 347.91 grains per cob, 15650.33 kg biomass yield and 3030.28 kg grain yield per ha. The crop receiving Nitrogen (N) at the rate of 120 kg per ha gave 177.67 cm plant height, 10.91 leaves per plant, 464.44 cm leaf area per plant, 1.60 cobs per plant, 237.04 grains per cob, 14241.80 kg biomass yield and 2762.30 kg grain yield per ha; while lowest Nitrogen (N) rate of 60 kg per ha resulted from 170.26 cm plant height, 9.89 leaves per plant, 455.15 cm leaf area per plant, 1.47 cobs per plant, 307.41 grains per cob, 13672.13 kg biomass yield and 2541.32 kg grain yield per ha. The effect of the scheduling of Nitrogen (N) application suggested that Nitrogen (N) applied in four equal splits, 25% each, 14, 28 and 42 days after emergence (DAE) ranked 1st.