Background: In most areas where maize is planted, the growth is usually affected by low nitrogen and high plant density. An experiment was carried out during the 2015/16 and 2016/17 planting seasons to investigate the effect of different nitrogen fertilizer rates and plant densities on growth of water efficient maize under different field conditions. Methods: The experiment was laid out in split plot arrangement fitted into randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replicates. Measured growth parameters were plant height, chlorophyll content, leaf area, number of leaves and stem diameter. Result: Maize planted at Molelwane had tallest plant height (269.63 cm) than Taung. Maize sown at 33,333 plants/ha produced highest number of leaves (15.83) and highest chlorophyll content (59. 63 SPAD - units) was obtained in the plots fertilized with 240 kg N/ha. In this study, the plant density of 55,555 plants/ha and 240 kg N/ha can be recommended for cultivation of WEMA maize variety.

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Water scarcity and soil fertility have been long recognized as the most crucial factors limiting maize production. Therefore, a greenhouse experiment was conducted during 2021 planting season at North-West university Research Farm to investigate the comparison of Water Efficient Maize for Africa (WEMA) maize and hybrid maize varieties under different irrigation frequencies and soil types. The experiment was a 3 × 2 × 2 factorial experiment fitted in a randomized complete block design in four replicates. The treatment factors consist of irrigation frequency (1, 2 and 3 times in a week), soil types (Sandy and Sandy loam) and maize variety (WEMA and PANNAR varieties). Results indicated that the tallest plant height (41.99 and 56.38 cm) was recorded with three times irrigation frequency at 46 and 53 DAP. The maize variety sown in the sandy loamy had a higher number of leaves (6.50 and 7.75) at 46 and 53 DAP, respectively. The WEMA variety had higher chlorophyll content (13.73 SPAD) at 46 DAP. The PANNAR maize variety had higher chlorophyll content (16.65 SPAD) at 53 DAP. Highest shoot dry weight (4.30 g) was obtained in sandy loam soil type. WEMA variety had highest total dry matter weight (20.90 g). The result indicated that sandy loam, maize variety and irrigation frequency three times enhanced the growth of WEMA variety and PANNAR hybrid. WEMA maize produced the highest dry matter compared to PANNAR. This showed that WEMA variety could tolerate water deficit compared to the PANNAR hybrid.