Effect of nitrogen rate and intra-row spacing on yield and yield components of maize at Bako, Western Ethiopia

Abstract

Maize is highly responsive to nitrogen fertilizer rates and plant spacing. Continuous efforts have been carried out to improve the yield potential of maize by modifying their architecture through breeding methods with aim of increasing maize yield through increasing number of plants ha-1. Hybrid BH-546 is the recently released variety for this purpose but its optimum nitrogen rate and spacing has not been determined yet. Thus, a field experiment was conducted at Bako research farm in the year 2017 to determine the optimum rate of nitrogen fertilization and intra-row spacing. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design in factorial arrangement with three replications. Three intra-row spacing viz., 75 cm × 40 cm, 75 cm × 30 cm and 75 cm × 20 cm accommodating 33,333, 44,444 and 66,666 plants ha-1 , respectively, with six nitrogen levels viz., 0, 23, 46, 69, 92 and 115 kg ha-1 , were assigned to the experimental plot by factorial combinations. Based on the results, the maximum grain yield (10,208 kgha-1) was obtained when the hybrid was sown at the closest intra-row spacing (20 cm) with application of the highest rate of nitrogen (115 kg ha-1). This result showed 8.9% yield advantages compared to the standard check. However, statistically similar grain yield (9887 kgha-1) was also obtained under application of 92 kg N ha-1 in the same intra-spacing (20 cm). Moreover, since this experiment was conducted for one season and in one location, the comprehensive recommendation could be drawn by investigating more locations over years for this maize hybrid.

Effects of timing and nitrogen fertilizer application rates on maize yield components and yield in eastern Ethiopia

“…The harvest index (HI) was calculated using the following formula used by Golla et al. (2020): $$$$\begin{equation*}{\text{Harvest Index }}\left( \% \right) = \frac{{{\text{Economic yield }}\left( {{\text{grain}}} \right)}}{{{\text{Biological yield }}({\text{grain}} + {\text{stover}})}} \times 100\end{equation*}$$$$…”

Optimizing N Fertilization for Increasing Yield and Profits of Rainfed Maize Grown under Sandy Loam Soil

“…N stressed plants show stunted growth, yellowing of leaves, decreased green leaf tissues and photosynthesis rate, less biomass and dry matter deposition in grain, and higher sterility [13][14][15][16]25,64]. Several researchers reported increased grain yield in response to an increased application of N [51,56,[65][66][67] up to 180 kg ha −1 N, a further increase in the N level resulted in a decreased grain yield [51,55,68]. From different studies at the national and international level, a grain yield of 3.91-6.06 t ha −1 was reported at 120 kg ha −1 N application in maize during different seasons [29,56,65,68].…”

Effects of Integrated Use of Lime and Nitrogen Fertilizer Rate on Maize (<i>Zea mays</i> l.) Crop and Its Profitability on Nitisols, Ethiopia

“…This condition might lead to uniform flowering. Likewise, [24] reported a decrease in days of 50% tasseling from 82.44 to 80.89 days in the maize crop when the N rate was increased from 0 to 115 kg Crop and Its Profitability on Nitisols, Ethiopia ha -1 . Similarly, [26] found earlier days to tasseling in the maize crop treated with increased rates of N. The delaying of flowering date in response to N deficiency has been previously acknowledged by [25,26].…”