to evaluate character association and path coefficient analysis of maize (Zea mays L.) grown under legume incorporation and nitrogen. The results of this study showed that maize grain yield correlated positively and significantly with all measured characters. Path coefficient analysis indicated that plant height, total dry matter per plant, crop growth rate, cob length, number of grains per cob, 100-seed weight and stover yield showed positive direct effects on grain yield. Plant height and total dry matter per plant and 100-seed weight and stover yield gave the largest combined contributions. In growth characters, the highest individual contributions to grain yield were made by total dry matter per plant and crop growth rate. In yield characters, the highest individual contributions to grain yield were made by 100-seed weight and stover yield. Conclusively, total dry matter per plant, crop growth rate, 100-seed weight and stover yield should be considered for selection criteria in improving these varieties for better yield.
An economic analysis was done using the partial budget procedure to evaluate economic performance of maize (Zea mays L.) under incorporated legumes and nitrogen in Northern Guinea Savanna zone of Nigeria. Results showed that plots without nitrogen fertilizer produced maize at loss throughout the three years of study and their average data except in 2006 where a very little profit was made. Maize production using 120 kg N haG 1 gave the highest gross margin and profit per naira (x) invested throughout the three years of study with an exception of 2005 where there was a loss. However, in the three year average data, application of 90 kg N haG 1 in maize production gave the best profit per naira (x) invested, which made incurring of extra cost of 30 kg N haG 1 from application 120 kg N haG 1 of no benefit. The most profitable green manure method for maize production was lablab green manure which gave the highest gross margin and profit per naira (x) invested. When using nitrogen fertilizer and green manure on maize production was compared, incorporation of any of the legumes was better economically than any of the nitrogen levels. The results of this study suggest that using incorporated legumes in maize production was more profitable than using nitrogen fertilizer.
Programmed nutrient addition with a constant relative addition rate has been advocated as a suitable research technique for inducing steady state nutrition in exponentially growing plants. Transpiration controlled nutrient supply is proposed as an alternative technique for plants with a short or no exponential growth phase. A two-weeks experiment with transpiration controlled nitrogen supply to Pennisetum americanum was carried out to evaluate this method.After an adaptation phase a constant plant N-concentration was maintained, while the relative growth rate decreased rapidly. The transpiration coefficient was almost constant in time and insensitive to moderate N-stress, but increased sharply when plant N-concentration dropped below 1760 mmol/kg DW. Relative growth rate and nitrogen productivity showed a steep decline at the lowest Nconcentrations (about 1000 mmol/kg DW). Nitrogen productivity was optimal at about 1760 mmol/kg DW.The results show that transpiration controlled nutrient supply is applicable in research and gives accurate results in growth analysis. When the transpiration coefficient is known, the nutrient solution can be adjusted to give any desired plant N-concentration, except for the lowest concentrations.
In field trials conducted at Samaru, Nigeria in 1983, 1984and 1985 to dauro millet by the millet stem borer, Coniesta ignefusalis Hampson (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), varied between years and dates of planting. The crop was almost completely destroyed by the stem borer during 1984. Based on 1983 and 1985 data, the period between 10 July and 2 August appears to be best for planting dauro millet at Samaru for least stem borer damage while planting between 11 and 30 July appears to be optimum for grain yields.The direct sown crop suffered more damage than the transplanted crops in all years but only in 1985 was the difference significant. There was no significant difference between slant and upright transplanting in terms of stem borer damage and grain yield. It is concluded, therefore, that the choice of planting method would depend on its convenience to the farmer.
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