INFLUENCE OF VARIOUS RATES OF TRIPLE SUPER PHOSPHATE AND FERTILIZER EFFICIENCY OF BROADCASTING AND BANDING METHODS ON YIELD AND YIELD COMPONENTS OF CORN (ZEA MAYS L.)

Abstract

In order to investigate the effect of various rates of phosphorus fertilizer and efficiency amount of broadcasting and banding methods on yield and yield components of corn (Zea mays L.), a field experiment were arranged in a split-plot design based on a randomized complete block design with four replications at the Research field, Ramin Agricultural and Natural Resources University, Mollathani, Khouzestan, Iran, during 2008 growing season. Treatments included: phosphorus various amounts (0, 150 and 300 kg.ha-1) as main factor from triple-super phosphate source, and fertilization methods (broadcast fertilizer, banding fertilizer in depths of 10, 20 cm and double banding application in depths of 10 and 20 cm), as sub factor. The results indicated that interaction of phosphorus fertilizer various rates and fertilization methods did not have a significant effect on yield and yield components of corn grain (exception biological yield). However, all various phosphorus fertilizer rates and fertilization methods caused significant differences among grain yield, harvest index and the number grain per row. Between the number of grains per m2 and 1000-Kernel were signification differences while fertilizer rates were not significantly different on traits. The number row per ear was not affected by any treatments. In addition, grain yield of double banding treatment was 34% higher than broadcast fertilizer (control) and in fertilizer rate of 150 kg.ha-1 36% it was higher than 0 kg.ha-1.