Field Performance of Quatity Protein Maize With Zinc and Magnesium Fertilizers in the Sub-Humid Savanna of Nigeria

U F Chiezey

doi:10.5539/jas.v6n3p84

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted for three years (2006 – 2008) in Samaru (11o11’N, 7o38’E) 686m above sea level in Nigeria. The objective was to test the response of two Quality Protein Maize (QPM) varieties (SAMMAZ-14 and SAMMAZ-11) to four levels each of Zinc and Magnesium (0, 1.25, 2.5 and 5.0 kg) using their carbonates. The experiments were arranged in all possible factorial combinations and laid out as randomised complete block design (RCBD) and replicated three times. The two varieties tested did not differ significantly in all the parameters evaluated except for the number of days to 50% tasselling. Grain yield ranged between 1.9 – 2.0 t/ha when averaged over both years which was quite below the 5.0 t/ha potential. Zinc application had no significant influence on most characters evaluated except total dry matter per hectare in 2006 when the application of 1.25 kg 2n/ha produced the highest TDM. Grain yield per hectare remained unchanged with changes in Zinc rate. Magnesium application influenced grain yield on 2008 only when 1.25 kg Mg/ha increased yield compared with plots with 5.0kg mg/ha. When averaged over the three years, Mg application did not significantly influence grain yield, but increased protein yield. Grain yield correlated positively and significantly with leaf area index (r = 0.13**), plant height (r = 0.26*), TDM (r = 0.21**) and protein yield (r = 0.97**). Protein content of grain remained unchanged with changes in Zinc and Magnesium rates at 8%

Highlights

Maize (Zea mays L.) is an important food crop in Nigeria, consumed in different forms, either roasted, boiled, made into a meal and eaten with soup or stew, or into a light poridge
The objective was to test the response of two Quality Protein Maize (QPM) varieties (SAMMAZ-14 and SAMMAZ-11) to four levels each of Zinc and Magnesium (0, 1.25, 2.5 and 5.0 kg) using their carbonates
Badu – Apraku and Fontem – Lun (2010) reported that protein of QPM has 90% of the relative value (RV) of milk compared with 40% for ordinary maize

Summary

Introduction

Maize (Zea mays L.) is an important food crop in Nigeria, consumed in different forms, either roasted, boiled, made into a meal and eaten with soup or stew, or into a light poridge. It is the basic ingredient of animal feed, poultry feed. Animal protein because of scarcity and cost. This obvious malnutrition calls for increase in protein intake to alleviate the obvious debilities casued by inadequate protein intake. Growing and consuming QPM may alleviate some of the nutritional problems of the population with predominantly starchy diets

Methods

Results

Conclusion