Yield Components Of Maize Research Articles

Influence of Crop Residue Management on Maize Production Potential

Residue management at the farm level is essential for ensuring sustainable agricultural productivity. This field experiment, initiated in 2005, provides maize data from 2016 to 2018. This study evaluates the impact of crop residue management and fertilization on maize yield and yield components. Maize was grown in a crop rotation sequence consisting of field pea (Pisum sativum L.), durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.), milk thistle (Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn.), and maize (Zea mays L.). The measures studied include aboveground biomass removal (K), aboveground biomass incorporation (R), mineral fertilizer application (F), and their combination (RF). The results indicate that R and RF significantly improve yield parameters, such as kernel number per ear (KNE), thousand seed weight (TSW), stalk yield, and harvest index (HI), compared to control (K) or aboveground biomass incorporation alone (R). Grain yield varied across the years, with significant increases being observed for the fertilizer treatments, particularly when combined with straw or stalk incorporation. A nominal increase in grain yield of 1.43 t ha−1 for the F treatment and 1.86 t ha−1 for the RF treatment represents an increase of 39% to 51% compared to K and R. Strong positive correlations were observed between grain yield and several factors, including ears per hectare (0.61), KNE (0.94), TSW (0.61), and HI (0.85). These findings underscore the role of crop residue management and promoting sustainable crop production.

APPLICATION OF ORGANIC AND INORGANIC NUTRIENT SOURCES FOR IMPROVING GROWTH AND YIELD ATTRIBUTES OF MAIZE (ZEA MAYS L.) UNDER CLIMATIC CONDITIONS OF PAKISTAN

The research was conducted under rain fed conditions of Rawalakot to check the effect of different organic and chemical fertilizers on yield and yield components in maize. Eight different treatments were evaluated by using regular arrangement of randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Sheep manure (SM), farm yard manure (FYM), and poultry manure (PM) were used as organic sources of nutrients while NPK was used inorganic sources. The test variety of maize was Pioneer-30Y87. The data was subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) to analyze the difference amongst different means using least significance difference (LSD). Results revealed significant effect of different nutrient treatments on the yield and morphological growth of maize. Maximum number of plants (11.00), plant height (212.80 cm), number of grain rows per cob (15.60), 1000 grains weight (188.90 g), grain yield (6836.7g) were recorded for Treatment T7 (Half recommended NPK fertilizer + farm yard manure. tons ha-1). This study showed that mixed use of inorganic and organic sources of nutrients could be a better soil nutrient amendment when applied at a ratio of 50% dose of farm yard manure (FYM) + 50% dose of NPK in the cultivation of maize under rain fed conditions of Rawalakot.

The Influence of Sowing Date on the Primary Yield Components of Maize

The sowing date of maize significantly impacts its main yield elements. The experiment, conducted at the Research and Development Station for Cattle Breeding (R.D.S.C.B.) Târgu Mureș, Sângeorgiu de Mureș, România, from 2018 to 2021, involved nine maize hybrids from different maturity groups, sown on three dates: early sowing (ES) at 6 °C soil temperature, optimal sowing (OS) at 10 °C soil temperature, and late sowing (LS) two weeks after the optimal date. The experiment was placed in a poly-factorial experience of type: A × B × C × C − R: 3 × 9 × 4 − 3, organized according to the subdivided plots method. The study examined the influence of sowing date on grain yield (GY), thousand-kernel weight (TKW), test weight (TW), percentage of grains per cob (% G/C), and grain humidity at harvest (GHH). The results indicated that yield was not negatively impacted by early or late sowing compared to the optimal date, with differences of 52 kg ha−1 between ES and OS, 147 kg ha−1 between ES and LS, and 95 kg ha−1 between OS and LS. ES increased TW (723.4 kg hl−1) and % G/C (86.7%), but reduced GY (13,377 kg ha−1), TKW (335.3 g), and GHH (19.5%). Conversely, LS positively influenced GY (13,524 kg ha−1), TKW (356.7 g), and GHH (23.9%), but negatively affected TW (692.8 kg hl−1) and % G/C (84.9%). Yield data obtained by P9900 and Kapitolis hybrids suggest that they are suitable for early sowing.

Mulching tree leaves improve the growth, yield, and yield components of hybrid maize

The experiment was carried out at the Agroforestry Farm, Department of Agroforestry, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh from November 2019 to March 2020 to assess the impact of tree leaf mulching on the growth, yield attributes, and yield of maize. The study used a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications and six treatments. These treatments were: T0=Control (no mulch), T1=Akashmoni (Acacia auriculiformis) tree leaf mulch, T2=Segun (Tectona grandis) tree leaf mulch, T3=Kalo koroi (Albizia lebbeck) tree leaf mulch, T4=Jhau (Casuarina equisetifolia) tree leaf mulch, and T5=Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) tree leaf mulch. The results showed that the Kalo koroi tree leaf mulch (T3) led to the highest values for various parameters such as plant height, number of effective tillers per plant, number of leaves per plant, leaf length, leaf diameter, number of cobs per plant, length, and diameter of cob, the weight of single cob, number of grains per cob, grain weight per cob, 100-grain weight, and grain yield of maize (221.18 cm, 0.93, 17.29, 79.26 cm, 7.30 cm, 4.18, 1.70, 21.11 cm, 6.08 cm, 212.12 g, 453.85 g, 138.91 g, 30.60 g, and 11.81 t/ha). Conversely, the lowest values were obtained in the control (T0) (no mulch), followed by T2 and T1 treatments (209.39 cm, 0.37, 12.5, 72.48 cm, 4.62 cm, 1.50, 15.03 cm, 4.44 cm, 202.19 g, 421.56 g, 111.55 g, 26.46 g, and 8.35 t/ha). Among the various tree leaf mulch treatments, it was found that the Kalo koroi tree leaf mulch performed better for vegetative growth, yield, and yield-contributing attributes in maize compared to the no mulch treatment. Therefore, it was suggested that tree leaf mulches could be a potential alternative to traditional mulches in maize cultivation. Res. Agric. Livest. Fish. Vol. 11, No. 2, August 2024: 205-214

Effect of high temperature on maize yield and grain components: A meta-analysis

Global warming poses a significant challenge to global food security, with maize playing a vital role as a staple crop in ensuring food availability worldwide. Therefore, investigating the impact of high temperature (HT) on maize cultivation is imperative for addressing food security concerns. Despite numerous studies exploring the effects of HT on maize growth and yield, a comprehensive understanding of these effects remains elusive due to variations in experimental environments, varieties, and growth stages. To solve these limitations, a meta-analysis was conducted to assess the effects of HT on maize yield and grain components, synthesizing data from 575 observations across 34 studies. The findings indicate that 1) HT significantly reduced grain yield by 32.7–40.9 % and grain starch content by 2.8–10.5 %; 2) the vicinity of kernel development stage (include silking, blister, milk) is the period when maize kernels are most sensitive to HT; 3) a significant negative correlation was observed between HT degree and their impact on grain yield (R2 = 0.38, P = 0.043); and 4) the effects of HT days and degrees on maize yield were equally important. In conclusion, this meta-analysis establishes a theoretical framework for enhancing the resilience of maize production and cultivation practices by comprehensively evaluating the impact of HT on yield and grain components.

Differential regulation of belowground rhizospheric ecosystem by biological and chemical nitrogen supplies: implications for maize yield enhancement mechanisms.

Nitrogen (N) content affects aboveground maize growth and nutrient absorption by altering the belowground rhizospheric ecosystem, impacting both yield and quality. However, the mechanisms through which different N supply methods (chemical and biological N supplies) regulate the belowground rhizospheric ecosystem to enhance maize yield remain unclear. To address this issue, we conducted a field experiment in northeast China, comprising three treatments: maize monocropping without N fertilizer application (MM), maize/alfalfa intercropping without N fertilizer application (BNF), and maize monocropping with N fertilizer application (CNS). The MM treatment represents the control, while the BNF treatment represents the biological N supply form, and CNS treatment represents the chemical N supply form. In the autumn of 2019, samples of maize and rhizospheric soil were collected to assess parameters including yield, rhizospheric soil characteristics, and microbial indicators. Both BNF and MM significantly increased maize yield and different yield components compared with MM, with no statistically significant difference in total yield between BNF and CNS. Furthermore, BNF significantly improved N by 12.61% and available N (AN) by 13.20% compared with MM. Furthermore, BNF treatment also significantly increased the Shannon index by 1.90%, while the CNS treatment significantly increased the Chao1 index by 28.1% and ACE index by 29.49%, with no significant difference between CNS and BNF. However, CNS had a more pronounced impact on structure of the rhizosphere soil bacterial community compared to BNF, inducing more significant fluctuations within the microbial network (modularity index and negative cohesion index). Regarding N transformation pathways predicted by bacterial functions, BNF significantly increased the N fixation pathway, while CNS significantly increased assimilatory nitrate reduction. In CNS, AN, NO3-N, NH4-N, assimilatory nitrate reduction, and community structure contributed significantly to maize yield, whereas in BNF, N fixation, community structure, community stability, NO3-N, and NH4-N played significant roles in enhancing maize yield. While CNS and BNF can achieve comparable maize yields in practical agricultural production, they have significantly different impacts on the belowground rhizosphere ecosystem, leading to different mechanisms of yield enhancement.

Continuous Straw Returning Combined with Nitrogen Application Improve Soil Properties and Yield of Double Cropping Maize in Subtropical Regions

This study aimed to investigate the impact of straw returning (SR) combined with appropriate N application rates on soil properties and maize yield for a double cropping maize system in South China. From 2021 to 2022, a two-year field experiment was conducted (the perennial orientation study began in 2018) with two nitrogen application rates, 0 kg ha−1 (N0) and 250 kg ha−1 (N250), under various straw treatments (SR and traditional planting). The findings revealed that SR, along with the nitrogen application of 250 kg ha−1 (N250), increased soil total nitrogen (TN), soil total phosphorous (STP), and the soil total potassium (STK) content besides soil organic carbon (SOC) and labile organic carbon (LOC); similarly, their interaction improved SOC and LOC in the 0–20 cm soil layer. In addition, within the 20–40 cm soil layer, SR and N250 also increased the soil TN, SOC, LOC, STP, and STK content. Notably, these soil properties exhibited a decrease with increasing soil depth. Furthermore, SR and N250 led to improvements in the grain yield and yield component of maize. Combining SR with N250 led to a significant 101.53% increase in SOC content from 2018 to 2022. Our research indicates that implementing N rates of 250 kg ha−1 under SR is an effective method to boost maize grain yield, enhance soil chemical characteristics, and ensure safe and productive maize cultivation.

Effects of Nitrogen Fertilizer Rates on Yield and Yield Components of Maize (Zea mays L.)

Maize is one of the most important cereal crops in the world. To investigate the effects of nitrogen fertilizer rates on growth and yield of maize and to determine the suitable nitrogen fertilizer rate, an experiment was conducted by using Randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications at Shwe Baho village, Zayarthiri Township, Nay Pyi Taw in post monsoon season and monsoon season. The treatments were T1 (no nitrogen application), T2 (90 kg N ha-1), T3 (120 kg N ha-1), T4 (150 kg N ha-1) and T5 (180 kg N ha-1) treatments. The tested maize variety was pacific-789 hybrid. According to the results, application of nitrogen gave the significant effect on grain yield and yield components of maize in both seasons. The superior maize yield was observed in all nitrogen treatments compared to control. The use of the highest nitrogen fertilizer rate (180 kg N ha-¹) in T5 gave the significant highest grain yield (7696.6 kg ha-¹) in post monsoon season and (8764.5 kg ha-¹) in monsoon season, respectively. In both seasons, the grain yield in T5 treatment was significantly increased about 62% over T1 treatment. Therefore, the application of nitrogen with the rate of T5 (180 kg ha-1) might be the appropriate rate to maximize the maize production. Considering the increased grain yield of the hybrid maize, nitrogen rate of T5 (180 kg ha-1) could be achieved in this study area.

Revolutionizing Maize (Zea mays l.) Growth: Evaluating the Impact of Tokyo 8 Microorganism-based Biofertilizer in Southern Côte d'Ivoire Farmers' Fields

The exclusive use of mineral fertilisers for production contributes to the destruction of certain microflora and microfauna in the soil, as well as reducing the organic matter content, which in turn reduces soil fertility. With the aim of finding an alternative to crop fertilisation on the farm, a micro-organism-based biofertiliser (Tokyo 8) was introduced and tested on maize crops. Three types of Tokyo 8 doses were tested: T2: Tokyo 8 diluted 50 times, T3: Tokyo 8 diluted 75 times and T4: Tokyo 8 diluted 100 times. In addition, two controls were tested, namely T0: control without fertiliser and T1: control with NPK 12-22-22 fertiliser. The trials were set up in a Fisher block design with three replicates. The results show that, like NPK, biofertiliser improves maize growth parameters and yield components. It provides the mineral elements required for maize growth and development. However, to be used effectively, Tokyo 8 biofertiliser needs to be diluted sensibly. A dilution of 75% seems to be the ideal for optimum use in maize crops.

Growth, Yield and Yield Components of Maize (Zea Mays L.) As Influenced by Cropping Systems and Different Npk20:10:10 Compound Fertilizer Rates

Field trials were conducted during the 2022 and 2023 cropping seasons at Prince Abubakar Audu University Research and Students Demonstration farm, Anyigba, to evaluate and compare the growth and yield performance of maize under three cropping systems and four NPK20:10:10 compound fertilizer rates. A sole crop of maize was initially established at the four fertilizer rates tested, using the randomized complete block design, and replicated three times. For the purpose of double cropping, maize seeds were replanted after the harvest of the sole crop maize, while a second crop of maize, also grown for the harvest of dry grains, was sown in between the rows of the sole crop maize in relay cropping, as soon as tasselling began. Maize data collected included plant height, days to first tasseling, days to 50 % tasseling, cob length at harvest, number of grains per cob, 1000-grain weight and grain yield per hectare. Results showed non-significant interactions (P˃0.05) of cropping system and fertilizer rate for most parameters measured, except plant height at 3, 6 and 9 WAP and 1000-grain weight. Averaged over two years, grain yield was higher under mono-cropping but was different (P˂0.05) only under relay cropping, where the lowest grain yield was obtained. The higher land equivalent ratio values of double cropping over relay intercropping across the fertilizer rates tested suggest that it is a better system for increasing maize production in the zone.

Morphology and yield components of single hybrids white and yellow maize in the Yaqui Valley

Morphology and yield components of single hybrids white and yellow maize in the Yaqui Valley

Transforming Agriculture through Nanotechnology: A Comprehensive Overview

Nanotechnology has emerged as a transformative force in agriculture, offering innovative solutions to address critical challenges in food production, sustainability, and resource management. This comprehensive overview explores the multifaceted impact of nanotechnology on agriculture, providing insights into its potential to revolutionize the sector and by elucidating the fundamental principles of nanotechnology and its applicability in agriculture, emphasizing nanomaterials’ unique properties that enable precise manipulation at the molecular and nanoscale levels. It explores diverse applications, including nanoparticle-based nutrient delivery systems, nanoencapsulation for controlled release of agrochemicals, and the development of nanosensors for real-time monitoring of crop health and environmental parameters. Furthermore, this delves into the emerging field of precision farming enabled by nanotechnology, where data-driven decision-making and targeted interventions optimize resource utilization, minimize environmental impacts, and maximize crop yields. It examines the potential of nano pesticides in integrated pest management, highlighting their eco-friendly nature and reduced environmental contamination. Nanotechnology’s role in soil management and remediation is also discussed, showcasing its capacity to improve soil health, remediate contaminated lands, and enhance nutrient availability. The review sheds light on the application of nanofertilizers, which not only enhance nutrient use efficiency but also mitigate nutrient runoff, contributing to sustainable agriculture. While nanotechnology holds immense promise, it is imperative to consider safety and environmental implications. This examines the challenges and regulatory considerations surrounding the use of nanomaterials in agriculture, emphasizing the need for responsible development and rigorous risk assessment.

Impact of the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) infestation on maize growth characteristics and yield loss.

The fall armyworm [FAW; Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E Smith, 1797)] is an invasive and polyphagous insect that infests cereal crops, causing economic losses, and may be led to pose a threat to future the global maize crop in the future. Field trials were conducted to study the negative impacts of S. frugiperda on vegetative growth measurements, yield, and the components of the maize cultivar (Single-Hybrid 168 Yellow) in Luxor Governorate, Egypt. S. frugiperda larvae infestation to maize plants was observed in the 3rd week of June and so continued till the harvest in both 2021 and 2022 seasons. S. frugiperda had three peaks of the seasonal activity/season in the untreated (pesticide-free, control) and in the treated main plots by pesticides. Maize vegetative growth attributes (averages of plant height, stem diameter, and the number of green leaves per plant) displayed higher rates of the treated maize plants by insecticides against S. frugiperda. Maize grain, straw, and biological yield (kg/ha) were decreased in the untreated maize plants (insecticides free) than in the treated by insecticides. Concerning maize yield components, the treated plants were to outperform in the average length of a plant stem (cm), stem diameter (cm), and weight of cob (g), as well as, number of rows/cob, number of grains/ cob, number of grains/cob, maize cob grain weight (g) and weight of 1000-grains (g)], in comparison with the untreated plants. Also, the FAW infestation to untreated maize plants was decreased well in all calculated maize growth attributes, i.e., grain yield, and components. Regarding the relationship between variations in a given variable and the changes in S. frugiperda larvae numbers and plant damage percentage, the simple correlation and regression coefficient revealed a highly significant negative relationship in all the parameters tested. The obtained information may help farmers and decision-makers in the management of FAW populations based on an effective plan related to control measures that should be implemented.

Effect of Plant Density and NPS Fertilizer Rates on Growth, Yield and Yield Components of Maize (Zea mays L.) in Central highland of Ethiopia

Maize is an important cereal crop in Ethiopia due to its use as a source of food security. However, its productivity is limited by insufficient application of the NPS fertilizer and inappropriate plant density. A field experiment was conducted during 2020 and 2021 cropping seasons at Liban Jawi and Toke Kutaye districts of West Shoa Zone, Ethiopia to study the effect of plant density and NPS fertilizer rates on growth, yield, and yield components of maize. The experiment consisted of three plant populations (53,300, 66,600 and 88,800 plants ha-1) and five NPS fertilizer rates (100, 150, 200, 250 and 300 kg NPS ha-1) laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The results showed that plant height, ear height and biological yield increased with increasing plant density. On the contrary ear length, number of grains per row, grain yield and harvest index decreased with increasing plant density. Plant density of 53,300 plants ha-1 produced the higher grain yield (5969 kgha-1) compared to that of 88,800 plants ha-1 (5175 kg ha-1). However, grain yield at 53,300 plants ha-1 did not show a significant difference with that of 66,600 plants ha-1 (5746 kg ha-1). In case of NPS fertilizer rates the results showed that plant height, ear height, ear length, number of grains per row, 1000 seed weight, biological yield, grain yield and harvest index increased with increasing NPS fertilizer rates up to optimum rate. Fertilizer application of 200kg NPS ha-1 produced a higher grain yield (6710 kg ha-1). The highest economic (126,423 Birr ha-1) and a higher MRR (2630%) resulted from the application of 200 kg NPS ha-1 with a plant population of 53,300 plants ha-1. Therefore a Plant density of 53,300 plants ha-1 and a blended fertilizer application with 200 kg NPS ha-1 was the most appropriate for highland maize in the study area.

Effect of conservation tillage on soil and water conservation, yield and yield components of Maize (Zea mays L.) in South Ari District, Southern Ethiopia

Reduced tillage is one of the options to combat land degradation problems. The study aims to examine the impacts of tillage practices on selected soil physicochemical properties, soil loss, and maize yield and yield components. Four treatments—zero, twice, and strip tillage—as well as farmers' practices, were set up in a randomized complete block design with five replications. Then, soil moisture, soil loss, and yield and yield components of maize data were collected. The findings show that, when compared to conventional tillage, conservation tillage improves soil moisture and decreases soil loss during and after crop development. The study found that implementing reduced, or zero tillage practices resulted in higher maize yields and long-term economic benefits for farmers compared to conventional and strip tillage practices. In addition, the current research demonstrated that, in comparison to strip tillage and conventional tillage, adopting reduced tillage and zero tillage increased maize yield and yield components with greater long-term economic benefits to farmers. The current findings also showed that adopting reduced tillage and zero tillage boosted maize yield and yield components, with higher economic benefits to farmers in the long run as compared to strip tillage and conventional tillage. Although zero tillage attributed to less grain yield, it resulted in higher economic benefits to farmers and saved 44.84% of soil loss relative to conventional tillage. The outcome of the economic evaluation unequivocally demonstrated that reduced tillage is the best approach, but zero tillage, strip tillage, and reduced tillage are all superior and advised for farmers. Hence, farmers can use either zero tillage or reduced tillage, depending on their investment capital. But to get considerable changes in soil and water balances, other soil physicochemical properties, and crop yield. Similar studies must be carried out on permanent field plots for longer than 2 years in the future.

Techniques for Conservation Tillage under 15–25% Slope: Soil and Water Conservation, Maize Yield and Yield Components in Basketo Zone, Southern Ethiopia

In steeply sloping regions of Ethiopia, water erosion is the primary cause of soil erosion and land degradation. Poor management of watersheds, inappropriate farming practices, and heavy rainfall all contribute to a continuous process of soil nutrient depletion in mountainous places. A quick loss of soil organic matter, soil deterioration, and a decline in environmental quality could result from the main farmer practice restrictions during plowing. To maintain agricultural productivity and environmental quality, a better farming system is therefore a significant method. This study was conducted in 3 farmer’s fields to investigate the significance of different cultivation practices on soil loss and maize yield under a slope of 19 % during cropping season in 2016 and 2018 at Motkesa Kebele of Basketo Zone, southern Ethiopia. The trial was laid out using a randomized complete block design through four treatments replicated three times on run-off plots. Experimental treatments used in the area were (strip tillage, zero tillage, reduced tillage and farmer practice) with maize planting at a spacing of 25cm by 75cm between plants and between rows respectively. According to the research result zero tillage decreased mean soil loss by 70% -74 % compared with conventional tillage (P < 0.05) and zero tillage has a great potential of controlling soil erosion on steep lands. Additionally, zero tillage was effective in conserving soil moisture increased (36-42%) compared with conventional tillage practices. According to the results of our research data, we advise that in smallholder household farms, the implementation of conservation agriculture has a cost-effective production management method, saves raw materials, increases yield, and reduces manual labor. Further studies are also encouraged in the same agroecology to promote the conservation agriculture system.
 Keywords: Conservation tillage; maize yield and yield components; soil moisture, soil loss

Epidemic development and management of common leaf rust (Puccinia sorghi Schwein) and turcicum leaf blight [Exserohilum turcicum (Pass.)] of maize (Zea mays L.) in eastern Ethiopia

AbstractMaize production and productivity are affected by biotic and abiotic factors. Among the biotic factors, fungal diseases incited by common leaf rust (CLR) and turciccum leaf blight (TLB) are the most important foliar diseases of the crop in Ethiopia. A field experiment was conducted at Haramaya University, research station “Raare,” during the 2019/2020 main cropping season. The objectives of the study were to investigate the effect of host resistance and fungicide application on the epidemic development of CLR and TLB, yield and yield components of maize, and the management of these foliar diseases. Four maize varieties (Afranqalloo, Bate, Gibee‐3, and Raare‐1) and Mancozeb at four different rates (0, 1.5, 3.0, and 4.5 kg ha−1) were evaluated under field conditions against the diseases. The treatments were laid out in a factorial arrangement in a randomized complete block design with three replications. All disease and agronomic data were collected during the experimental season. The results from analysis of variance showed that the combination of the variety Bate with Mancozeb at a rate of 4.5 kg ha−1 proved to be the best treatment combination for managing both diseases. Similarly, Mancozeb at a rate of 4.5 kg ha−1 resulted in the lowest CLR and TLB disease incidence and severity (60.4% and 21.0%; 63.7% and 41.78%), respectively. Likewise, the highest grain yield (8392 kg ha−1) and thousand kernel weights of 529 g and the lowest epidemic development were recorded from the variety Bate treated with 4.5 kg ha−1 Mancozeb. The result also revealed that the integration of host resistance (the variety Bate) with 4.5 kg ha−1 Mancozeb was the most effective treatment in reducing CLR and TLB epidemic development and in increasing the grain yield of maize. The economic analysis also showed the presence of the highest marginal rate of return from the Bate variety treated with 4.5 kg ha−1 Mancozeb compared to other treatment combinations. Thus, it is concluded that the variety Bate treated with 4.5 kg ha−1 Mancozeb can be used to improve maize production and productivity in the study area and elsewhere with similar agroecologies.

Early fertilization during winter cultivation and its residual effect on silage maize grown sequentially

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of an early application of potassium (K) fertilizer on pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) grown during fall/winter on the performance of maize (Zea mays L.) silage grown in succession. Using a randomized block design, in the fall/winter harvest, the plots were composed of millet and six doses of K (0, 30, 60, 90, 120 and 150 kg K2O ha-1) as muriate of potash (57% K2O) in addition to fallow. In the summer harvest, during the cultivation of maize, six doses of K2O were applied complementary to the doses applied in the autumn/winter harvest to total 120 kg K2O ha-1 (120, 90, 60, 30, 0) and 0 kg K2O ha-1 for the no cover treatment. An additional treatment that was planted to received the recommended fertilization amount (60 and 90 kg ha-1 of K2O for planting and broadcasting, respectively). For the millet, was evaluated plant height, green and dry biomass yields, and soil cover at 30, 60, 90 and 120 days after harvest . For maize, agronomic traits, leaf nutrient content and green and dry biomass yields were evaluated. The early application of K fertilizer did not alter the yield components of millet and silage maize. However, the straw produced by the millet was efficient at promoting soil cover in the off-season.

Combination effects of microbial inoculation and N fertilization on maize yield: A field study from southern Brazil

The use of inoculants based on diazotrophic microorganisms is an alternative to decrease the dosage and increase the efficiency of nitrogen fertilizers, especially in grains that are demanding and nutrient-responsive crops. Cyanobacteria is photosynthetic and nitrogen fixing prokaryote; however, there has been little focus on Anabaena cylindrica and Nostoc muscorum as biofertilizers in the presence of added nitrogen sources. The purpose of this study was to explore the maize yield in two crop seasons in Londrina, Brazil under different nitrogen rates (topdress, 0–130 kg ha−1; sowing, 20–150 kg ha−1) and microbial inoculants (A. cylindrica, N. muscorum and Azospirillum brasilense), in randomized block design with factorial arrangement 4 × 4. Different phytometric characteristics (e.g. height of plant and spike insertion; stem diameter; area idex and chlorophyll content of leaf; Nitrogen (N), Phosphorous (P) and Potassium (K) contents in leaf) and grain yield (such as quantity of rows ear−1, grains row−1, grains ear−1, ear plant−1, grain N content, weight 1000 grains−1, grain yield) were evaluated. The phytometric characteristics and maize yield were not altered by the interaction between N rates and inoculants, demonstrating that N rates do not interfere with cyanobacteria performance. The inoculation with A. cylindrica favored the development and yield performance of maize and resulted in an increase in grain biomass of 912 kg ha−1 (20.46%) in the crop season 1 and 1020 kg ha−1 (21.11%) in season 2 crop, related to the control. The use of above inoculants was favorable in the responses of maize growth and yield components, particularly when combined with an adequate dose of N. The results demonstrated the potential of microbial inoculants in the improvement of maize crop yield.

Effects of Crop Geometry and Split Nitrogen Application on Spring Maize Growth, Yield Components and Yield in Digam, Gulmi, Nepal

Maize (Zea mays L.) is a heavy nutrient feeder that needs optimum spacing and appropriate time to apply nitrogen to get maximum yield. A field study was carried out at Digam, Gulmi, from February to June 2022 to examine the impact of crop geometry and split application of nitrogen on spring maize in two factorial randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications. Factor A was the split application of nitrogen; (120 kg ha-1N at the time of sowing) and (60 kg ha-1N at the time of sowing + 30 kg ha-1N at knee height stage + 30 kg ha-1N before tasseling stage) and factor B included the three levels of spacing (75 cm x 25 cm, 60 cm x 25 cm and 50 cm x 25 cm). Plant height , stem girth , leaf number, cob girth, thousand grain weight, number of kernel rows per ear, number of kernels per row, and grain yield (3.45 MT ha-1) were all highest for treatment (60 kg ha-1N at sowing + 30 kg ha-1N at knee height + 30 kg ha-1N before tasseling). Likewise, plant height, leaf area index, cob length, cob girth, cob weight, thousand grain weight, number of kernels per row, grain yield (3.04 MT ha-1) and harvest index were highest in plant spaced at (75 cm x 25 cm), while the number of kernel rows per ear was highest in plants spaced at (60 cm x 25 cm). The lowest value of all parameters was found in plants at treatments; (120 kg ha-1N at the time of sowing) and (50 cm x 25cm). Similarly, the treatment (60 kg ha-1N at the time of sowing + 30 kg ha-1N at knee height stage + 30 kg ha-1N before tasseling stage) combined with spacing of (60cm x 25cm) was found to have a significant effect on grain yield (3.99 MT ha-1) which was statistically at par to the treatments, (60 kg ha-1 N at the time of sowing + 30 kg ha-1 N at knee height stage + 30 kg ha-1 N before tasseling stage) combined with spacing of (75 cm x 25 cm) (3.95 MT ha-1 ) . Thus, for the optimum and sustainable production of the spring maize, crop geometry of (75 cm x 25 cm) or (60 cm x 25 cm) can be recommended with three splits application of nitrogen at Digam, Gulmi.