The Impact of Nitrogen Fertilization and the Use of Biostimulants on the Yield of Two Maize Varieties (Zea mays L.) Cultivated for Grain

Krzysztof Kapela,Marek Niewęgłowski,Marek Gugała,Anna Sikorska,Ewa Krasnodębska,Krystyna Zarzecka

doi:10.3390/agronomy10091408

Abstract

The field experiment was carried out in 2015–2017 on a family farm in Toczyski Czortki, in the Mazovia voivodeship in Poland. The experiment was set up in a split–split–plot system in three replications. The area of one plot was 30 m−2. The studied factors were: I—two maize varieties: PR38N86 (medium late hybrid cultivar 280 FAO), P8400 (medium early hybrid cultivar 240 FAO); II—four doses of nitrogen fertilization: 1. control object—without the use of nitrogen (0 kg N·ha−1), 2. nitrogen dose—80 kg N·ha−1 (applied once before sowing), 3. nitrogen dose—120 kg N·ha−1 (applied once before sowing), 4. nitrogen dose—160 kg N·ha−1 (applied once before sowing); III—four types of biostimulants used: 1. control object—without using a biostimulant, 2. Asahi®SL biostimulant: I term—four-leaf phase (BBCH 14) at a dose of 0.60 dm3∙ha−1, II term—eight-leaf phase (BBCH 18) at a dose of 0.60 dm3∙ha−1, 3. Improver® biostimulant: I term—four-leaf phase (BBCH 14) at a dose of 1.00 dm3∙ha−1, II term—eight-leaf phase (BBCH 18) at a dose of 0.60 dm3∙ha−1, 4. Zeal® biostimulant: I term—six-leaf phase (BBCH 16) at a dose of 2.00 dm3∙ha−1. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of nitrogen fertilization and the use of biostimulants on the size and quality of yield of two varieties of maize grown for grain. Based on the conducted research, it was found that nitrogen doses influenced the amount of maize grain obtained. The highest yields were obtained using 120 kg N∙ha−1. Nitrogen doses significantly affected the studied maize yield components. The dose of 120 kg N∙ha−1 increased the number of grains in the cob, while the dose—160 kg N∙ha−1 exerted the best effect on obtaining the highest values of a thousand seeds. The biostimulants used in the experiment significantly affected the mass of one thousand seeds and the number of grains in the cob. In addition, Asahi®SL, Improver® and Zeal® biostimulants increased maize yield in each growing season studied.

Highlights

It is estimated that the human population will reach 9.6 billion by 2050, which will require at least a doubling of the current agricultural production [1]
Nitrogen fertilization is the basic element of agrotechnics shaping the maize grain yield, depending on the habitat conditions [3]
Studies have shown that the nitrogen dose determined the amount of maize grain yield (Table 3)

Summary

Introduction

It is estimated that the human population will reach 9.6 billion by 2050, which will require at least a doubling of the current agricultural production [1]. Increasing demand for food, including plant origin, stimulates activities aimed at improving the fertility and quality characteristics of the obtained crops. Maize (Zea mays L.) is one such plant, which, along with wheat and rice, is one of the three most important crops in the world because of its many uses. Agronomy 2020, 10, 1408 are the United States, Brazil and China, where maize production in the USA is almost six times higher than in the European Union [2]. The yield of maize grains depends on the availability of digestible nutrients, mineral fertilization is most often used. Nitrogen fertilization is the basic element of agrotechnics shaping the maize grain yield, depending on the habitat conditions [3]

Objectives

Results

Conclusion