Abstract
A field study was conducted during 2008 and 2009 at El-Khattara farm station, Zagazig Uni-versity, Sharkyia, Egypt (30°36' N, 32°15' E) to determine the effect of three N rates (214, 273, and 333 kg N ha-1), four micronutrients spray treatments (Check, Zn, Mn, and Zn + Mn), and three planting density levels ( 4.76, 5.71, and 6.66 plant m-2) on growth and grain yield of corn (Zea mays, L). The soil was sandy (Entisols) and groundwater was used for irrigation. Response to N was maximized to 214 kg ha-1 without a significant effect on most growth traits and grain yield. Agronomic efficiency of N use for grain yield was negatively related to N rate (r2 = 0.49). Application of micronutrients had no ef-fect on most growth and yield characters except a significant increase by 9.5, 8.7, and 9 % in plant weight (g plant-1), biomass yield (kg m-2), and N agronomic efficiency for biomass yield, respectively. Growth was decreased by in-creasing plant density without affecting harvest index, agronomic efficiency, biomass yield, and grain yield. The application of Zn to the highest maize plant density increased grain yield by 16 % as compared to the check. It is recommended, as predicated by the linear model, that N ferti-gation rate should be around 220 kg ha-1 with plant density of 6.66 plant m-2 accompanied by Zn application for maximum irrigated corn grain yield in sandy soil. Abbreviations: DAS, days after sowing; LA, leaf area; LAI, leaf area index; RPP, relative photosynthetic potential; HI, har-vest index; BW, plant weight g plant-1, GYP, grain yield g plant-1, BYM, biomass yield kg m-2, GYM, grain yield kg m-2, NAE, nitrogen agro-nomic efficiency.
Highlights
The increased demand of maize (Zea mays, L.) by baking and cellulosic biomass industries requires expanding the growing areas to newly reclaimed and sandy soils
Sandy soil characterized with low cation exchange capacity and soil organic matter [2] it was proved that fertigation increases fertilizer use efficiency since nutrients are applied to the active root zone which reduces losses of nutrients through leaching or soil fixation [3]
It is noteworthy that applying 214 kg N ha–1 and Zn to the highest plant density prouced the greatest grain yield of 12.5 Mg·ha–1.These results suggest a beneficial effect of Zn application on corn grain yield as sandy high pH soil promotes Zn deficiency
Summary
The increased demand of maize (Zea mays, L.) by baking and cellulosic biomass industries requires expanding the growing areas to newly reclaimed and sandy soils. A positive response for corn grain yield has been recorded for N application up to 285 kg N ha–1 [6]. These inconsistencies in results may appear as soil characteristics and other environmental conditions change. As sandy soil has poor water and nutrients retention while the high N requirement of corn, adequate level of N must be applied to insure sufficiency. There fore, determining crop response to narrow range of N levels is so important for more understanding to corn N requirement for these newly developed areas
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