Effect of Nitrogen Levels and Plant Population on Yield and Yield Components of Maize

Abstract

Field experiment was conducted to study the effect of nitrogen levels and plant population on maize. Maximum number of days to tasseling (71), silking (76) and maturity (108) were recorded with the application of nitrogen at 210 kg ha-1. Higher plant height (202 cm), leaf area plant-1 (2757 cm2), leaf area index (2.16), ear length (18.0 cm), ear weight (150 g), grains ear-1 (548), thousand grain weight (258 g) and grain yield (2673 kg ha-1) were recorded with application of 210 kg N ha-1 which was statistically similar to 180 and 150 kg N ha-1. Higher biological yield (7189 kg ha-1) was recorded from 150 kg N ha-1 which was similar to 210 kg N ha-1. Plant population of 95000 plants ha-1 took more number of days to tasseling (70), silking (75) and maturity (107). Taller plants (197 cm) were measured for plant population of 95000 plants ha-1. Maximum number of leaves plant-1 (10.45) was recorded for plant population of 80000 plants ha-1. Higher leaf area plant-1 (2585 cm2) and leaf area index (2.59) were recorded for 65000 plants ha-1 which was statistically at par with 80000 plants ha-1. Higher ear length (17.71 cm), ear weight (145 g), grains ear-1 (515) and thousand grain weight (252 g) were recorded from 65000 plants ha-1 which was similar to 80000 plants ha-1. Plant population of 95000 plants ha-1 produced maximum biological yield (7276 kg ha-1) while plant population of 80000 plants ha-1 produced maximum grain yield (2551 kg ha-1) and harvest index (35.95%). It is concluded from the study that application of 150 kg N ha-1 produced maximum grain yield and plant population of 80000 plants ha-1 produced higher grain yield.