Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-q99xh Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-23T14:29:59.156Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The effect of density and nitrogen fertilizer on the growth and yield of maize (Zea maysL.) in Nigeria

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

E. O. Lucas
E. O. Lucas
Affiliation:
Department of Agronomy, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Summar

FARZ 27, a high-yield maize variety, was grown in 1984 and 1985 over a wide range of density treatments (1·9– 11·1 plants/m2) and with four rates of nitrogen application (0, 75, 100 and 150 kg N/ha) in Ibadan. south-western Nigeria.

There was no significant density or fertilizer effect on morphological characters of number of leaves per plant, height or stem diameter. For total dry-matter yield, the highest density of planting gave the highest yield although less dry matter was obtained in the 1985 experiment than in the 1984 experiment. Optimum density for grain production in both years was 8·8 plants/m2. There is an indication that there is no need to increase density of planting of maize beyond 80000 plants/ha in the south-western part of Nigeria. Plants without applied nitrogen fertilizer gave significantly lower total dry-matter and grain yields than plants with applied nitrogen. Highest grain yield was obtained with 150 kg N/ha in both years. By doubling the nitrogen application rate from the present recommended level of 75 kg N/ha to 150 kg N/ha an average increase of 0·42t/ha of maize was obtained in both years. With the present prices of fertilizer and maize, this increase is economical. It seems therefore that more revenue would accrue to the farmers by using 150 kg N/ha on the ‘FARZ series’ of maize instead of the present recommendation of 75 kg N/ha.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Agricultural Science , Volume 107 , Issue 3 , December 1986 , pp. 573 - 578
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1986

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

Adelana, B. O. & Milbourn, G. M. (1972). The growth of maize. I. The effect of plant density on yield and digestible dry matter and grain. Journal of Agricultural Science, Cambridge 78, 65–71.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Agboola, A. A. (1968). Increasing the efficiency of applied fertilizer on maize. I. Timing of application of nitrogenous fertilizer. Nigerian Agricultural Journal 5,45–48.Google Scholar
Arnon, I. (1975). Fertilizer practice. In Mineral Nutrition of Maize, pp. 408–449. Bern, Switzerland: International Potash Institute.Google Scholar
Fayemi, A. A. (1966). Effects of time of nitrogen application on yield of maize in the tropics. Experimental Agriculture 2, 101–105.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Jones, M. J. (1973). Time of application of nitrogen fertilizer in maize in Samaru, Nigeria. Experimental Agriculture 9, 113–120.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kayode, G. O. & Agboola, A. A. (1981). Effect of different nitrogen levels, plant population and soil nutrient status on yield and yield components of maize (Zea mays L.) in different ecological zones of Nigeria. Fertilizer Research 2, 177–191.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lucas, E. O. (1981). The growth of two maize verieties in farmers' plots located at two contiguous ecological zones in Nigeria. Journal of Agricultural Science, Cambridge 97, 126–134.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lucas, E. O. & Saobohan, R. (1984). The effect of density of planting on yield and final nutrient uptake of two maize varieties in Nigeria. Journal of AgriculturalScience, Cambridge 103, 687–689.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Milbourn, G. M., Tilley, G. E. D. & Carr, M. K. V. (1978). Plant density for grain maize in south-east England. Experimental Agriculture 14, 577–580.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Radford, P. J. (1967). Growth analysis formulae – their use and abuse. Crop Science 7, 171–175.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Remison, S. U. & Lucas, E. O. (1982). Effect of planting density on leaf area and productivity of two maize cultivars in Nigeria. Experimental Agriculture 18, 93–100.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Titiloye, E. O., Lucas, E. O. & Agboola, A. A. (1985). Evaluation of fertilizer value of organic waste materials in South Western Nigeria. Biological Agriculture and Horticulture 3, 25–37.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Watson, D. J. (1952). The physiological basis of variation in yield. Advances in Agronomy 4, 101–145.CrossRefGoogle Scholar