Growth and yield performances of three maize cultivars (Zea mays L.) as influenced by time of N-fertilizer application

Abstract

The sufficient supply of N-fertilizer in maize crop is imperative for optimum performance. However, timing of application of this nutrient may create variation in yield performances of the crop. A field experiment was conducted during the 2021 raining season to investigate the effect of time of N-fertilizer application on growth and yield of three maize cultivars at Prince Abubakar Audu University Research and Demonstration farm, Anyigba. The experiments which were laid in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) consisted of 9 treatment combination; 3 maize cultivars [(Oba-Super 6 (hybrid), Samaz-52 (OPV) and Local cultivar] and 3 stages of N-fertilizer (3WAS, at tasseling and at silking). Time of N-fertilizer application does not significantly influence (P ≥ 0.05) the number of leaves/plant, plant height at 4 and 6WAS, days to first flowering, days to 50% flowering cob length and number of cobs/plant. However, application of N-fertilizer at 3WAS significantly produced (P ≤ 0.05) higher biomass and application of N-fertilizer at silking stage significantly improved number of seeds produced per cob, 100-seed weight and final grain yield followed by application at tasseling stage. Similarly, Varieties had no significance on the leaf area except the yield and yield components. However, Samaz-52 (OPV) displayed earlier days to first flowering and days to 50% flowering respectively. Oba-super-6 (hybrid) produced significantly higher number of seeds/cob. Samaz-52 (OPV) produced significantly higher grain yield (3398.16 kg/ha) followed by the Local Cultivar (2537.05 kg/ha) and the Oba-Super 6 (hybrid) which recorded the least grain yield (1851.86 kg/ha). Finally, it appears that application of nitrogen at silking stage gave a yield as high as its' application at 3 weeks after sowing. Therefore, application of Nfertilizer in two split doses (first at 3WAS and top dress at silking stage) is highly recommended for the planting of Samaz-52 (OPV) which appears to be promising in grain yield than Oba super-6 and the local variety.