The effect of nitrogen fertilizer and density unusual levels on plant growth characteristics, grain and forage yields of maize

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Ph.D. Candidate of Agro Ecology, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran

2 Professor, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran

Abstract

the experimental was conducted as a split in 20015 in a randomized complete block design with three replications at the Agricultural Research Station, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad. Nitrogen in five levels (0, 150, 300, 450, 600 kg per hectare) and density at three levels (10, 15 and 20 plants per square meter), respectively, of primary and secondary, respectively. As a result, the maximum leaf area index was achieved by consumption of 450 kg of nitrogen per hectare. The lowest growth rate in terms of consumption and the highest figure obtained by applying 450 kg N per hectare. The highest LAI (6.32 unit) and dry matter accumulation (3623 g m-2 day-1) were observed on account of 20 Plant m-2. Irrespective of the plant density, height of corn significantly increased when nitrogen was applied by 450 kg ha-1; however, more nitrogen application had a negative effect on mentioned trait. The highest yield (72.68 tons per hectare) in treatment 450 kg nitrogen per hectare with 20 plants per square meter and the highest grain yield of (10.76 tons per hectare) in treatment 450 kg N ha-1 at a density of 10 plants per meter square was observed. It seems that despite the environmental impacts resulting from the use of nitrogen application up to 450 kg per hectare with a very high density, yield will increase.

Keywords

Main Subjects


  1. Abdollahi, F., Ghadiri, H. & Bahrani, M. (2010). Effect of tillage, wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) residue & nitrogen management on corn (Zea mays) yield and yield components. Iranian Journal of Field Crops Research, 8, 336-346. (in Farsi)
  2. Agricultural Statistics. (2014). Department of Planning and Economy. http://www.maj.ir/.
  3. Allison, J. C. S. & Haslam, R. J. (1993). Theoritical assessment of potential for increasing productivity of sugarcane through increased nitrogen fertilization. Proc. South African Sugar Technology, Assoc. pp.57-59.
  4. Andrade, F. H., Vega, C., Uhart, S., Cirilo, A., Cantarero, M. & Valentinus, O. (1999). Kernel number determination in maize. Crop Science, 39, 453-459.
  5. Babnik, D., Susin, J. & Verbic, J. (2002). The effect of nitrogen fertilization of maize on protein concentration and in vitro fermentability of grain. Journal of Central European Agriculture, 3, 159-167.
  6. Birch, C. J., Hammer G. L. & Rickert, K. G. (1998). Improved methods for predicating individual leaf area and leaf senescence in maize. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research. 49, 249-262.
  7. Bullock, D. G., Nielson, R. L. & Nyquist, W. E. (1993). Growth analysis comparison of corn growth in conventional and equidistant plant spacing. Crop Science, 28, 254-285.
  8. Cox, W. J. & Cherney, D. J. R. (2001). Row spacing, plant density, and nitrogen effects on corn silage. Agronomy Journal, 93, 597-602.
  9. Cox, W. J., Kalonge, S., Cherney, D. J. R. & Reid, W. S. (1993). Growth, yield, and quality of forage maize under different nitrogen management practices. Agronomy Journal, 85, 341-347.
  10. Dobermann, A. & Cassman, K. G. (2005). Cereal area and nitrogen use efficiency are drivers of future nitrogen fertilizer consumption. Science. China Ser. C Life Science. 48 (Supp.), 1-14.
  11. Dobermann, A. R. (2005). Nitrogen Use Efficiency-State of the Art. University of Nebraska-Lincoln Digital Commons @University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
  12. Edmeades, G. O. & Lafite, H. R. (1993). Defoliation and plant density effect on maize selected for reduced plant height. Agronomy Journal, 85, 580-857.
  13. Edris Ameri, A., Sorkhi B. (2011). Investigation of destructive effectives of nitrogenous fertilizers on protein and oil percentage in maize. Iranian Journal of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, 7, 13-23. (in Farsi)
  14. Eickhout, B., Bouwman, A. F. & van Zeijts, H. (2006). The role of nitrogen in world food production and environmental sustainability Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment, 116, 4-14.
  15. Emam, Y. (2007). Cereal Production. Shiraz University Press. Third edition. 190 pages. (in Farsi)
  16. English, M. & Raja, S. N. (1996). Perspectives on deficit irrigation. Agricultural Water Management, 32, 1-14.
  17. Fallah, S. & Tadayyon, A. (2007). Effects of plant density and nitrogen rates on yield, nitrate and protein of silage maize. Electronic Journal of Crop Production, 2, 105-121. (in Farsi)
  18. Farahani, E, Naderi. M.R, Tahmasebizadeh, H, Khodabandeh, N. & Jaferibonyad, M. (2005). The effect of plant density and nitrogen fertilizer on forage yield and some Physiological traits in forage sorghum. New Findings in Agriculture, 1, 83-91. (in Farsi)
  19. Farnham, D.E. (2001). Row spacing, plant density and hybrid effects on corn yield and moisture. Agronomy Journal, 93, 1049-1053.
  20. Foulkes, M.J., Sylvester, R., Bradly, R. & Scot, K. (1998). Evidence for differences between winter wheat cultivars in acquisition of soil mineral nitrogen and uptake and utilization nitrogen. Journal of Agricultural Sciences of Cambridge, 130, 29-44.
  21. Giller, K. E., Chalk, P., Dobermann, A., Hammond, L., Heffer, P., Ladha, J. K., Nyamudeza, P., Maene, L., Ssali, H. & Freney, J. (2004). Emerging technologies to increase the efficiency of use of fertilizer nitrogen. In: Mosier, A.R., Syers, J.K., Freney, J.R. (Eds.), Agriculture and the Nitrogen Cycle. Island Press, Washington, D.C. pp. 35-51.
  22. Heffer, P. (2008). Assessment of fertilizer use by crop at the global level. International Fertilizer Industry Association. Rue Marbeuf, Paris, France. Available in: WWW. Fertilizer.org. 5p.
  23. Herrmann, A. & Taube, F. (2005). Nitrogen concentration at maturity–an indicator of nitrogen status in forage maize. Agronomy Journal, 97, 201-210.
  24. Heydari Pour, R., Nassiri Mahalati, M., Koocheki, A. & Zare Feize Abadi, A. (2015). Effects of irrigation and nitrogen application rates on yield and yield components of corn, sesame and sugar beet in Mashhad climatic condition. Iranian Journal of Field Crops Research, 13, 24-33.
  25. Javaheri, A. (200) Effect of Nitrogen Fertilizer on Maize, Abstract. 6th Iranian Conference of Plant Breeding. Mazandaran University Press, p. 493. (in Farsi)
  26. Jukela, W. L. & Randall, G. W. (1997). Fate of fertilizer N as affected by time and rate of application. Soil Science Society of America Journal, 61, 1695-1703.
  27. Khazaei, F., AghaAlikhani, M. & Modarres Sanavy, S.A.M. (2009). Nitrogen rate and plant density effect on dry matter accumulation and fresh ear yield of sweet corn. Pajouhesh & Sazandegi, 92, 1-8 (in Farsi)
  28. Machul, M. (1988). Response of two maize hybrids growth for silage and for grain to different plant densities. Pamietnik-Pulawski, 92, 185-191.
  29. Mirnia, S. G., Modares Sanavi, S. A. M. & Piri, T. (2001). Effect of different levels of nitrogen on growth and development of corn root. Iranian Journal of Soil and Waters Sciences, 15, 39-56. (in Farsi)
  30. Nejafi Nejad, H. & Madahiyan. (2003). Effect of irrigation regimes and planting density on grain yield and some agronomic traits of corn. Seed and Plant Production Journal, 19, 155- 172. (in Farsi)
  31. Niknam, N. & Faraji, H. (2014). Effect of plant density and nitrogen on yield and yield components of maize var. Agronomy Journal, 704, 54-60. (in Farsi)
  32. Norwood, C. A. (2001). Dryland corn in western Kansas: Effects of hybrid maturity, planting date and plant population. Agronomy Journal, 93, 540-547.
  33. Olsen, R. A. & Sander, D. H. (1988). Corn production. In G.F. Sprague, and J.W. Duddley. (Eds.). corn and corn improvement. P. 639. 3rd, ASA. Inc, Madison. USA. (in Farsi)
  34. Robert, S., Wearer, W. H. & Phelps, J. P. (1980). Use of the nitrate soil test to predict sweet corn response to nitrogen fertilization, Soil Science, 44, 306-308.
  35. Rostaminia, M, Hajsiedhadi, M. R, Pazeki, A. R, Aghabigy, M. & Behbehaninia, A. (2011). Tillage and residue management effects of nitrogen fertilizer on maize yield and leaf area index in Varamin Journal of Plant and Ecosystem, 27: 21-31. (in Farsi)
  36. Rozati, N. S., Gholami, A. & Asghari H. R. (2010). Study of nitrogen split application levels and variety effects on yield and agronomical characteristics of corn. Electronic Journal of Crop Production, 4, 1-16. (in Farsi)
  37. Saadatzadeh, N., Nabavi Kalat, S.M. & Bahari Kashani, R. (2011). Effects of plant density and nitrogen fertilizer on quantity and quality of forage corn in Daregaz region. Journal of Crop Ecophysiology, 4, 29-42. (in Farsi)
  38. Saberi, A.R., Mazaheri, D. & Heidari Sharif Abad. H. (2007). Effects of vary density planting and arrangement on physiological indices and dry matter trend of corn. Journal of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, 13, 1-9.
  39. Sajedi, N. & Ardekani, A. (2008). Effect of nitrogen fertilizer, iron on the physiological indices forage maize in central provinces. Iranian Studies Journal of Agronomy, 6, 99-110. (in Farsi)
  40. Salardiny, A. (2005) Soil fertility. Publishing Tehran University. Tehran. (in Farsi)
  41. Sarmadnia, G. & Koocheki, A. (2006). Crop Physiology translation (Mashhad University Jihad Publications). (in Farsi)
  42. Schroder, J. J., Neeteson, J. J., Oenema, O. & Struik, P.C. (2000). Does the crop or the soil indicate how to save nitrogen in maize production? Reviewing the state of the art. Field Crops Research, 66, 151-164.
  43. Sepehri, E., Malakouti, M. J. & Nougolipour, F. (2008). Evaluation of phosphorus efficiency in Iranian cereal in a deficient calcareous soil. Eurosoil 2008 International Conference (Soil- Society-Environment). Book of abstracts: Pp. 182. In: W. E. H. for daily light partitioning in multispecies canopies. Agricultural Forest and Meteorology, 101, 251-263.
  44. Singh, U. (2005). Integrated nitrogen fertilization for intensive and sustainable agriculture. Journal of Crop Improvement, 15, 259-287.
  45. Tarigholesllami, M., Zarghami, R., Mashadi Akbar bojar, M. & Oweysi, M. (2010) Effect of Nitrogen fertilizer and Water Deficit Stress on Physiological indices of corn (Zea mays L.). Agronomy Journal, 104, 154-160. (in Farsi)
  46. Tamaddon Rastegar, M. & Amini, I. (2007). Effects of planting dates and densities on yield and yield components of sweet corn of ksc404 in Mazandaran climate condition. Pajouhesh & Sazandegi, 75, 9-14. (in Farsi)
  47. Tesar, M. B. (1988). Physiological basis in crop growth and development. Printed in the united stress of America. 391 p.
  48. Tohidi nejad, A. B., Mazahri, A. H., Sarmadnia, A. & Ghafari, H. (1997). The effect of nitrogen fertilizer amounts and their uses on the quantity and curve of the growth of maize. Abstract of the Articles of the 4th Iranian Conference on Plant Breeding, Isfahan University of Technology. p. 179. (in Farsi)
  49. Uhart, S. A. & Andrade, F. H. (1995). Nitrogen deficiency in maize. I. Effects on crop growth, development to dry matter-partitioning, and kernel set. Crop Science, 35, 1376-1383.
  50. Ulger, A. C., Ibrikci, H., Cakir, B. & Guzel, N. (1997). Influence of nitrogen rates and row spacing on corn yield, protein content, and other plant parameters. Journal of Plant Nutrition, 20, 1697-1709.
  51. Widdicombe, W. D. & Thelen, K. D. (2002). Row width and plant density effects on corn in the Northern Great Plains. Agronomy Journal, 87, 842-846.
  52. Windauer, L., Altuna, A. & Benech-Arnold, R. (2007). Hydro time analysis of Lesquerella fendleri seed germination responses to priming treatments. Industrial Crops and Products, 25, 70-74.
Volume 48, Issue 3 - Serial Number 3
December 2017
Pages 865-876
  • Receive Date: 10 October 2016
  • Revise Date: 09 January 2017
  • Accept Date: 01 February 2017
  • Publish Date: 22 November 2017