Study of growth and yield of maize (Zea mays L.) under levels of nitrogen and potassium fertilization

Abstract

"A field experiment was conducted during the autumn season 2018 at Al- Zinawiya site 10 km south-east of center Al- Nasiriya Governorate, to determine the effect of four levels of Nitrogen fertilizer (0.120,180 and 240 kg N ha-1 ) and four levels of Potassium fertilizer (0,80,120 and 160 kg K ha-1 ) and The interaction between them, on growth and yield of corn (Zea mays L.) Fajer-1 variety. Factorial experiment according to Randomized complete block design (R.C.B.D) was used in this study with three replicates The results showed the level 240 kg N ha-1 achieved significant superiority in the Days to Tasselling, Days to silking, Plant height, Leaf area, number of grains per ear, weight 500 grain, grain yield, the concentration of nitrogen and potassium in leaves (54.09 Days, 57.58 Days, 166.17cm, 399.29cm2 , 404.83per ear-1 , 158.20gm, 6.702t h-1 , 1.46Mg gm-1 , 1.28Mg gm-1 respectively). The level of 160 kg K-1 was significant superior among other levels by giving the best results of studied characters, (Days to Tasselling, Days to silking, Plant height, Leaf area, number of grains per ear, grain yield and the concentration of nitrogen in the leaves.) (54.09 Days, 57.58days, 138.42cm, 338.05 cm2 , 338.58 per ear, 5.250 t h-1 , 1.44Mg gm-1 respectively). The interaction for the treatment (240 kg N h-1 + 160 kg K h-1 ) was superior grain number of per ear (430.00), weight 500 grain (160.40 gm), and grain yield (7.060 t h-1)"