The effects of nitrogen fertilization strategies on the productivity of maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids

Abstract

Nitrogen (N) is one of the major limitations to crop productivity. Therefore, a field study was conducted to examine the impacts of N application strategies: N 1 -20% of N at sowing through broadcast + 79% N at mid-season through fertigation + 1% of N at flowering through foliar application, N 2 -40% of N at sowing through broadcast + 59% of N at mid-season through fertigation + 1% of N at flowering through foliar, N 3 -60% of N at sowing through broadcast + 39% of N at mid-season through fertigation + 1% of N at flowering through foliar, N 4 -80% of N at sowing through broadcast + 19% of N at mid-season through fertigation + and 1% of N at flowering through foliar and N 5 -100% of N at sowing through broadcast, on the productivity of maize hybrids (H) single cross-6142 (H 1 ) and double cross-4444 (H 2 ) over a 2-year period, 2010-2011. During both years, N strategies and maize hybrids differed significantly for all the observed traits of yield and quality. The highest biological yield (16.99-17.62 t ha -1 ) and grain yield (6.83-7.16 t ha -1 ) were recorded by using the strategy N 3 . Similar trends were also observed for other traits except the grain oil content which was the maximum (3.38-3.98%) at N 5 . However, in both years, maximum biological yield (14.83-15.69 t ha -1 ) and grain yield (5.01-6.02 t ha -1 ) were evident in H 1 . the interactive effect of H 1 × N 3 gave maximum biological yield (17.55-20 t ha -1 ) and grain yield (7.53-8.83 t ha -1 ). In 2010 and 2011, the highest net income (1220-1272 USD ha -1 ) and benefit cost ratio (2.52-2.56) was also attained at H 1 × N 3 . In conclusion, our results suggested that maize productivity (grain yield up to 5.01-6.02 t ha -1 ) could be improved on economic basis (benefit cost ratio up to 2.52-2.56) by growing the single cross hybrid-6142 (H 1 ) with N application strategy N 3 .

Variations in fermentation, bacterial population and aerobic stability in maize silage

“…Laboratory-scale mini silos can be particularly helpful to examine the influence of the additives on fermentation characteristics and aerobic stability of the silage and laboratory silos can serve as a model of big bale silos (Naoki, Yuji, 2008). Maize is an ideal energy crop for livestock and one of the most suitable plants for renewable energy, a fact that has been comprehensively assessed (Iqbal et al, 2014). Our aim was to examine and compare the effect of inoculating Lactococcus lactis and Lactobacillus buchneri on fermentation characteristics, microbial population and aerobic stability of whole crop maize ensiled in big bale and laboratory-scale silos.…”

Comparative Study of Different Integrated Nutrient Management on Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) cv. Arka Anamika under Terai Zone of West Bengal

“…Therefore, a judicious combination of organic and chemical fertilizers may help to maintain the soil health and to augment the efficiency of nutrients improving the productivity of crop (Wagh et al, 2014). The long picking period of okra demands a continuous and proper nutrient supply while deep root system prefers a good soil condition for the roots, therefore the growth and yield of okra can be improved by appropriate nutrient management practices (Singh et al, 2007;Suchitra and Manivannan, 2012;Iqbal et al, 2014). Keeping all this in view, the present investigation was carried out to study the effect of different nutrient management on okra cv.…”

Yield and economic return response of silage maize to different levels of irrigation water in a sub-humid zone

“…It is widely cultivated as a silage plant throughout the world because of its high yield, high energy forage produced with lower labour and machinery requirements than the other forage crops and it has extensive adaptation ability (Allen et al, 1995;Iqbal et al, 2014). The Marmara region is one of the important regions in Turkey, both for plant and animal breeding.…”