Effect of Nitrogen Rates, Biofertilizers and Foliar Urea Application on Yield and Yield Components of Maize (Zea mays, L.)

Hassanein, A. M.; Mesbah, E. A. E.; Soliman, F. H.; El-Aidy, T. E.T.

doi:10.21608/jpp.2019.36203

Effect of Nitrogen Rates, Biofertilizers and Foliar Urea Application on Yield and Yield Components of Maize (Zea mays, L.)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Al Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt

² Field Crops Res. Institute, Agric. Res. Center, Giza, Egypt.

³ Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, Egypt

10.21608/jpp.2019.36203

Abstract

Two field experiments were conducted at Bahteem region, Kalubiah Governorate during 2011 and 2012 seasons, to study the effect of three nitrogen rates (40, 60, and 80 kg/fed), biofertilizers (control, without biofertilizer application and Azotobacter + Azospirillum) and foliar spraying with four urea concentrations (0,1.5,2.5 and 3.5%) as well as their interactions on yield and yield components of maize (single cross 30 K8). Results indicated that nitrogen fertilizer rates significantly affected on ear length, number of grains/ears, 100-grain weight and grain yield/fed. in the two seasons. Nitrogen at the rate of 80kg/fed. gave the highest values for all studied traits. Also, results showed that the difference between biofertilizer treatments were significant for all studied traits in the two seasons. Inoculation maize seed with Azotobacter + Azospirillum gave the maximum values for all studied attributes in both seasons compared with the control. In the same trend, results indicated that the differences between urea foliar spraying treatments were significant for all studied traits in the two seasons. Foliar maize plants with 3.5 % concentration gave the highest values for all studied traits compared with other treatments in both seasons. The interactions between nitrogen rates x biofertilizers x foliar treatments with urea were significant for all studied attributes in the two seasons. The results showed that foliar maize plants with 3.5 % urea concentration and inoculation with Azotobacter + Azospirillum as well as fertilized with 80 kg N/fed. gave the highest values for the yield and yield components.

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