Effect of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Biofertilizers on Maize: I- Growth Traits

Abstract

Two field experiments were carried out during two summer seasons 2001 and 2002 at the Experimental Farm, Faculty of Agriculture, Kafr EL Sheikh, Tanta University to study the effect of [bio fertilizer notroben+phosphorus ]with levels of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization on growth of maize plants of cultivar [single cross 10]. The results obtained could be summarized as follows A-Nitrogen levels plus notroben; 1-Addition of high dose of nitrogen [120 kg N/fed] alone caused a significant effect on total dry weight of the plant and its organs[stem, leaves, ears and tassel] and days to 50 % silking 2-Addition of 60 kg N/fed plus notroben results in a significant increase in dry weight of stem and tassel, and days; to 50 % silking. 3-Nitogen levels [90 kg N/fed] plus notroben caused a significant increase in number of leaves per plant 4-120 kg N/fed plus notroben resulted in a significant effect on dry weight of total plants and its organs [stem, leaves, ears and tassel], number of leaves/plant and ear leaf area. B-Phosphorus levels plus phosphoren: 1-Zero of P2O5/ fed resulted in a significant increase in area of ear leaf 2-15 kg P2O5/fed alone caused a significant increase in total dry weight of plant and its organs [stem, leaves, ears and tassel] and number of leaves/ plant 3-7.5 kg P2O5/fed plus phosphoren gave the significant increase in DM of leaves, ears and stem] and total plant, number of leaves/ plant and ear leaf area. 4-15kg P2O5/fed plus phosphoren resulted in a significant increase in DM of leaves, stem, ears and plants, number of leaves /plant and ear leaf area. C-Interaction effect: The significant interaction was found on DM of ears, number of leaves/plant, DM of stem, leaves, tassel and plant as a whole, ear leaf area and days to 50 % silking. From the obtained results, it could be recommended that the use of bio fertilizer to minimize the chemical nitrogen fertilizer, reduced the costs of production and pollution which could be occurred be excessive use of chemical fertilizer.