Abstract
Nitrogen fertilizer and plant density are considered some of the most important factors affecting phenology and grain yield of maize. Therefore, current study was conducted to assess the effects of nitrogen fertilizer application and plant density on phenology (days to tasseling, silking and maturity) and grain yield of maize (Variety: Rampur Composite) at Mangalpur VDC-3, Anandapur, Chitwan, Nepal during 2006-07 winter season. The five levels of nitrogen as 0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 kg N/ha and three levels of the plant population as 55555, 66666 and 83333 plants/ha were evaluated using two factorial randomized complete block design with three replications. The days of flowering (tasseling and silking) decreased with increasing nitrogen level up to 200 kg N/ha and increased with increasing level of plant population up to 83333 plants/ha). Physiological maturity and grain yield increased with increasing level of nitrogen up to 200 kg N/ha and plant population up to 83333 plants/ha. The highest grain yield (6925.79 kg/ha) was obtained with 200 kg N/ha + 66666 plants/ha. This study suggested that maize production can be maximized by cultivating maize with the use of 200 kg N/ha and maintaining the plant density of 66666 plants/ha.
Highlights
Maize is an exhaustive feeder of nutrients; its nutrients requirements are high
Materials and Method Detail of Genetic Material and Experimental site The impact of various levels of nitrogen application and plant densities on phenology and grain yield of maize was assessed by using the variety of "Rampur Composite" from September 2006 to February 2007 at Mangalpur VDC-3, Anandapur, Chitwan, Nepal
Phenological Observations Days to Tasseling The number of days to tasseling was influenced by various nitrogen levels and plant population (Table 1)
Summary
Maize is an exhaustive feeder of nutrients; its nutrients requirements are high. The demand of nitrogen fertilizer is greater than that of the other nutrients. If nitrogen deficiency occurs at tasseling and silking stages may significantly affect crop failure. Amount of nitrogen to be applied for maize plant depends upon maize variety, soil type, crop fertility status, location and yield[1]. During previous studies found that days to 50% silking increased with increasing plant population[2].
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