Yield Characteristics Of Maize Research Articles

The Role of Zinc- Zeolite in the Growth and Yield of (Zea Mays L.) in Two Calcareous Soils

A field experiment was conducted at the research station of the College of Agriculture - University of Anbar to study the effect of zinc-zeolite on some growth and yield characteristics of maize in two calcareous soils that differ in clay ratio. It was carried out according to the randomized complete block design following the nested design, with three replications which include: natural and synthetic zeolite prepared from local kaolin. Both the natural and synthetic zeolite were ground and sieved using a sieve with a diameter of 63 µm and then the natural and synthetic zeolite were saturated with zinc. Natural and synthetic zeolite zinc was added to the soil at three levels: 4, 8, and 12 kg Zn ha−1. The mineral source of zinc (ZnSO47H2O) and the organic source of zinc (Zn-DTPA) were used at the level of 8 Kg Zn ha−1 for each of them as a comparison treatment, as well as the comparison treatment without the addition of zinc. The number of treatments in each sector is 9 experimental units, and the total number of experimental units for each site is 27 experimental units. The results showed that natural and synthetic zeolite-zinc at the level of 12 kg Zn ha−1 was significantly superior in plant height and grain weight at a rate of 183.3 cm (150.0 g) and the concentration of nitrogen, potassium and zinc at a rate of 19.98, 2.96 and 45.50 g kg−1.

Impact of site specific nutrient omission technique on growth, yield and quality of QPM

Maize holds immense importance as the most widely cultivated crop on a global scale. It exhibits remarkable responsiveness to the external application of fertilizers and the optimal doses of nutrients are essential to augment the growth as well as yield characteristics of maize. Therefore, to investigate the nutrient omission impact on crop growth and yield of quality protein maize (LQMH-1 hybrid) under SSNM application of nutrients, a study was performed at an Agricultural Research Farm, FoA, Wadura, SKUAST Kashmir, India, during Kharif season 2021. The experiment comprised of eight treatments viz., absolute control (T1), NPK (T2), NPKZnS (T3), PKZnS (-N) (T4), NKZnS (-P) (T5), NPZnS (-K) (T6), NPKS (-Zn) (T7) and NPKZn5 (-S) (T8) in RCBD experimental design with three replications. The application of NPKZnS led to a substantial increase in yield metrics, including cob length, cob diameter, ear height, grain rows per cob, and seed index. The treatment (T3) attained a significantly higher leaf area index of 5.82 at 60 DAS with CGR of 2.78g m-2 day-1 at 60-90 DAS and RGR of 52.74 mg g-1 day-1 between 30-60 DAS and also recorded maximum protein content (9.5%). Among the omission of nutrients, nitrogen was found to be the most limiting nutrient that drastically reduced LAI, CGR, RGR, yield characters, and protein content of maize which was trailed by P omission and K omission. However, the omission of Zn and S had the least significant impact on the performance of the QPM hybrid.

Determining the Cadmium Accumulation in Maize (Zea mays L.) and Soil Influenced by Phosphoric Fertilizers in Two Different Textured Soils

Non-nutritive metals, especially cadmium (Cd), are present in P fertilizers; the long-term application of these P fertilizers leads to Cd build-up in the soil. The current study aims to evaluate the impacts of P sources and rates on the growth of maize (Zea mays L.) and the bioavailability of Cd. Twelve treatments including rock phosphate 4 g kg−1 (RP1); 8 g kg−1 (RP2); 12 g kg−1 (RP3)); single super phosphate 333 mg kg−1 (SSP1); 444 mg kg−1 (SSP2); 555 mg kg−1 (SSP3); di-ammonium phosphate 130 mg kg−1 (DAP1); 174 mg kg−1 (DAP2); 218 mg kg−1 (DAP3); mono-ammonium phosphate 115 mg kg−1 (MAP1); 154 mg kg−1 (MAP2); 193 mg kg−1 (MAP3) in two soil textures (sandy and clayey) were assessed. Results revealed that all P sources significantly influenced the plant growth and yield characteristics of maize (p ≤ 0.05). In both soil textures, P in soil and plant, plant growth and yield characteristics were maximized by MAP and DAP. Cadmium build-up in soil and uptake was also significantly (p ≤ 0.05) affected by P sources, levels, and soil texture. It was observed that Cd build-up in soil and uptake by plants boosted with increasing P levels. Maximum Cd concentration in plant root and shoot was found with SSP3, and its concentration in soil increased with MAP3, whereas the concentration was higher in sandy texture. The study concludes that type of P fertilizer should be determined based on texture and human consumption of the crop to avoid Cd toxicity.

Performance of Gluconate and Lactate Based Formulations on Plant Growth and Yield Attributes in Maize (Zea mays L.)

Aim: To check the efficacy of gluconate and lactate based formulations on plant growth and yield characteristics of maize.
 Place and Duration of Study: School of Agricultural Sciences, Malla Reddy University, Hyderabad, spring 2021.
 Methodology: The experiment was laid-out in Randomized Block Design (RBD), with Maize hybrid (DHM-117) spacing adopted (60 x 20 cm) with 4 replications. The treatments viz; T1: Control (No fertilizer), T2:100% RDF, T3: 75% RDF + 25% Sahasra Organic Formulations (SOF), T4:50% RDF + 50% SOF, T5: 25% RDF + 75% SOF, T6: 100% SOF. The RDF (N:72-80; P:24; K:20 kg/acre).
 Results: The yield attributes were recorded intermittently and maximum grain yield (7,649.8 kg ha-1) and Stover yield (8,859.87 kg ha-1) were recorded with T2 (100% RDF), followed by T3 (75% RDF + 25% Sahasra Organic Formulations). Similarly gross returns (₹ 123606.5 ha-1), net returns (₹ 87116.49 ha-1) and B: C (3.4) ratio was also recorded highest in T2 followed by T3 (75% RDF + 25 % SOF), while the lowest were recorded with T1 (control).
 Conclusion: Adoption of gluconate and lactate based formulations enhanced soil fertility, soil organic carbon and yield in Maize crop. The study concluded that the integrated approach i.e., T3 (75% RDF + 25% SOF) has realized the highest net returns (₹ 82466.8 ha-1) and B: C ratio (3.4) in comparison to the 100% RDF treatment thus reducing the cost of fertilizers and benefiting the net returns to the farmers.

The Effect of Humic Acid, Vermicompost and Nano-Phosphorous on Growth and Yield Characteristics of Maize (Zea mays L.)

In order to study the effect of adding humic acid, vermicompost and nano-phosphorous on the growth characteristics and yield of maize. An experiment was carried out in one of the fields located in Afak sub-district - Diwaniyah Governorate - Iraq in the autumn season 2020.The experiment was carried out according to a Complete Randomized Blocks Design with three replications. The treatments included adding humic acid at three levels (0, 10 and 20) kg H−1 and coded (H0, H1 and H2) sequentially, while vermicompost was added at two levels (0 and 4) tons H−1 and coded (V0 and V1) sequentially. While nano-phosphorous was added at three levels (0, 5 and 10) kg H−1 that coded by (nP0, nP1 and nP2) sequentially.The results of the experiment showed outperform the fertilizer combination (VnP1), which consisted of vermicompost (4) H− 1ton and nano-phosphorous (5) kgH−1, as it recorded the highest content of chlorophyll in leaves, the highest plant height, the highest weight of the vegetative and root system, the percentage of protein and the total grain yield (66.53). SPAD and 269.93 cm, 53.53 g and 11.853 g) compared to the control treatment that recorded the lowest values, followed by treatment (V) with a single effect of vermicompost (4) tonH−1, which outperformed in the content of leaves from chlorophyll, plant height, dry weight of the vegetative and root system and the percentage of the protein and total yield which recorded (SPAD 65.77, 263.50 cm, 53.04 g, 11.520 g, 12.25% and 12,393 mcg H−1) compared to the control treatment that recorded the lowest values, as the second level of single nano-phosphorous fertilizer (nP2) was significantly superior compared to the levels addition of nP and comparison treatment.

The Effect of Vermicompost, Urea, and Seaweed Extracts on Growth and Yield Characteristics of Yellow Maize (Zea mays L.)

In order to study the effect of adding vermicompost fertilizer, seaweed extracts, and nitrogen fertilizer on the growth and yield characteristics of maize. An experiment was carried out in one of the farms located in Nouriya district - Al-Diwaniyah governorate - Iraq during the autumn season 2019-2020.The experiment was applied in the order of global trials according to the design of randomized full sectors and with three replications. The first factor included adding vermicompost fertilizer in three levels (0, 2 and 4 tons H-1) coded A0, A1 and A2 respectively, while the second factor included adding seaweed extract at two levels (0 and 40 kg H-1) symbolized for B0 and B1 respectively, while the third factor included adding nitrogen fertilizer in three levels (0, 120 and 240 kg N H-1) coded as C0, C1 and C2, respectively.The results of the experiment showed: The levels of vermicompost differed significantly in most of the studied characterizes , as the A1 level achieved the highest results for leaf content of chlorophyll, dry weight of the root and vegetable group, total yield, and the percentage of protein in grains (45.86 SPAD, 11.641 and 57.13 gm plant -1 11.299 Mg H -1 12.30 %), respectively, while level A2 achieved the highest value of plant height (354.1 cm plant -1). The treatment of adding seaweed extracts B1 significantly affected most of the studied characterizes and gave the highest results for leaf content of chlorophyll, plant height, dry weight of root and vegetative group, total yield and percentage of protein (43.70 SPAD, 335.7 cm plant-1, 10.983 and 54.73 gm.plant-1 and 10.361 Mg H-1 and 11.18%), respectively. The treatment of adding C1 nitrogen fertilizer was significantly higher with the highest results for leaf content of chlorophyll, plant height, dry weight of root and vegetable group, total yield and protein content in grains (45.51 SPAD, 345.8 cm plant-1, 11.054, 56.57 gm.plant-1 and 10.500 Mg.H-1 and 11.50%) respectively.The research is part of MCs for 2nd authorCorresponding author: E-mail(Zzaah94@gmail.com ) Al- Muthanna University All rights reserved

Exploring the role of zinc fertilization methods for agronomic bio-fortification and its impact on phenology, growth and yield characteristics of maize

Zinc (Zn) is a key mineral nutrient for plant and human growth and its deficiency can reduce the plant growth and development, however; agronomic bio-fortification can cure plant and human Zn deficiency. By using different Zn fertilization approaches, this study investigated the role and its impact on phenology, growth and yield of maize during two growing seasons 2015 and 2016. The treatments comprised of: no Zn application (ZnC0), basal application of 10 kg ZnSO4.7H2O ha-1 (ZnB1), basal application of 15 kg ZnSO4.7H2O ha-1 (ZnB2), foliar application of 1% solution of ZnSO4.7H2O ha-1 (ZnF3), foliar application of 1.5% solution of ZnSO4.7H2O ha-1 (ZnF4) applied to two hybrids of maize (YSM-112 and DK-6525). The maize hybrid DK-6525 showed superiority in term of growth and yield than YSM-112. The ZnF4 brings early emergence, tasseling and silking that resulted in early crop maturity. However, ZnB2 improved crop growth rate, grain yield and Zn concentration in maize grain by 44, 11.39 and 33.24%, respectively than ZnC0 (control). Regression model indicated that each 1 g increment in 1000-grain weight improved the grain yield by 0.01 and 0.16 t ha-1 of YSM-112 and DK-6525, respectively. Conclusively, it is concluded that DK-6525 with ZnB2 is suitable for optimal growth and yield of maize and would also be helpful to optimize the yield and Zn concentration of maize.

Ammonium-charged zeolitite effects on crop growth and nutrient leaching: greenhouse experiments on maize (Zea mays)

Nitrate leaching and the resulting groundwater contamination from intensive crop production has become a major concern for long-term farmland efficiency and environmental sustainability in Italy. The aim of this study was to evaluate a water-saving NH4-charged zeolitite (produced by a new prototype) for minimizing NO3-leaching from soil and optimizing corn growth and yield. Forty-eight zeolitite:soil lysimeters in two trials were installed in a greenhouse to study the growth and yield characteristics of maize (Zea mays) as well as the nitrate concentration in leachate under different fertilizing conditions (i.e., standard, high or 70%, medium or 50% and low or 30% of conventional fertilization rate) and NH4-charged zeolitite (control, 0; dose-1, 50tha−1 and dose-2, 100tha−1) treatments. The results implicitly suggest that plants may have a better response if NH4-charged zeolitite is used with a limited amount of conventional fertilizer, allowing a reduction of nitrate concentration in drainage.

English

Maize grown during the off season is a viable alternative for the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to investigate the influence of the duration of irrigation with nitrogen doses on the yield characteristics of maize. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse using a randomized completely block design with a factorial 5×5 matrix corresponding to 5 irrigation durations, the soil water tension at 15, 25, 35, 45 and 55 kPa and five doses of nitrogen (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 mg dm-3), with four replications. The experimental units were represented by plastic pots with a capacity of 18 dm3 of soil. We evaluated the productive characteristics of the maize plant. The data were submitted to the F test and polynomial regression. The increased dry mass of the shoot, the root dry mass and the ear length were obtained from the plant under irrigation when the soil reached a 15 kPa tension at doses of 100 and 150 mg dm-3 of nitrogen. For the weight of 100 grains, no interaction between the factors was found, providing a greater grain yield with 15 kPa and 200 mg dm-3 of nitrogen alone.   Key words: Zea mays L., tensiometer, nitrogen fertilization.

Organic amendment of an ultisol: effects on soil properties, growth, and yield of maize in Southern Guinea savanna zone of Nigeria

Abstract Background The Southern Guinea savanna zone of Nigeria is characterized by inherently low soil fertility status and rapid nutrient depletion especially soil organic matter. However, this zone is characterized by abundant agricultural land and is a potential for crop production. Field experiments were conducted in order to evaluate the effects of integrated use of agricultural waste materials and compound mineral fertilizer on soil and plant nutrient status, growth, and yield of maize in ultisol in the Southern Guinea savanna zone of Nigeria. Results Application of organic waste alone and in combination with mineral fertilizer enhanced root and shoot biomass, leaf area development, and yield and components of maize. Treatment effects were significant on growth characteristics of maize (stem girth, leaf area, plant height and days to 50% tasselling, root and shoot biomass). Sole application of NPK fertilizer (400 kg/ha) was not significant over the combined use of poultry manure and NPK on girth, leaf area, and plant height. Mean values of stem girth, leaf area, and plant height ranged between 2.05 and 3.8 cm, 0.26 and 0.54 m2, and 84.7 and 209.4 cm, respectively. Root and shoot dry weights were highest under sole NPK application compared with plots where either sole wastes or wastes in combination with reduced NPK were application of NPK fertilizer (400 kg/ha) was not significant over combined use of poultry manure and NPK on stem applied. Integrated use of agricultural wastes and NPK also enhanced root and shoot dry weights compared with sole application of wastes as well as seed weight per plant, 100-seed weight, and number of seeds per cob and grain yield. Among the agricultural wastes applied, poultry manure enhanced the growth and seed yield characteristics of maize. This treatment increased the seed weight per plant, number of seeds per cob, 100-seed weight and seed yield by 55.6%, 66.5%, and 55.4%, respectively over Chromolaena and neem seed cake. Chromolaena and neem seed cake produced similar grain weight per plant, 100-seed weight, number of seed per cob, and seed yield. Poultry manure significantly enhanced the growth and seed yield characteristics of maize over Chromolaena and neem seed cake. Conclusions Integrated use of organic wastes and mineral NPK fertilizer showed promising potential for improving soil fertility, growth, and yield of maize in the Southern Guinea savanna agroecological zone of Nigeria. It is recommended that poultry manure at 7 t/ha plus NPK fertilizer at 200 kg/ha be adopted for maize cultivation in the study area.