The effect of density and nitrogen fertilizer on the growth and yield of maize (Zea maysL.) in Nigeria

Abstract

FARZ 27, a high-yield maize variety, was grown in 1984 and 1985 over a wide range of density treatments (1-9-11-1 plants/m 2 ) and with four rates of nitrogen application (0, 75, 100 and 150 kg N/ha) in Ibadan. south-western Nigeria.There was no significant density or fertilizer effect on morphological characters of number of leaves per plant, height or stem diameter. For total dry-matter yield, the highest density of planting gave the highest yield although less dry matter was obtained in the 1985 experiment than in the 1984 experiment. Optimum density for grain production in both years was 8-8 plants/m 2 . There is an indication that there is no need to increase density of planting of maize beyond 80000 plants/ha in the south-western part of Nigeria. Plants without applied nitrogen fertilizer gave significantly lower total dry-matter and grain yields than plants with applied nitrogen. Highest grain yield was obtained with 150 kg N/ha in both years. By doubling the nitrogen application rate from the present recommended level of 75 kg N/ha to 150 kg N/ha an average increase of 0-42 t/ha of maize was obtained in both years. With the present prices of fertilizer and maize, this increase is economical. It seems therefore that more revenue would accrue to the farmers by using 150 kg N/ha on the 'FARZ series' of maize instead of the present recommendation of 75 kg N/ha.

Effect of Maize Plants Distribution and Nitrogen Fertilization Levels in Peanut-Maize Intercrop

“…These results are in agreement with those obtained by several investigators such as Lucas (1986) and El-Bana & Gomaa (2000). Table 6 indicate that maize yields and its components were significantly influenced by maize orientation in the intercrop in both seasons, except, ear diameter, differences failed to reach the 5% level in both seasons.…”

Effects of density of planting and time of nitrogen application on maize varieties in different ecological zones of West Africa

“…These densities are 53,333, 66,666, and 79,999 plants-ha 1 . The lowest plant density is the current recommended plant density for maize hybrids in Nigeria (Ebong and Wahua, 1991), while the highest plant density is a typical plant density under high fertilizer treatment levels (Lucas, 1986). The subplots consisted of three different times of N application: (i) the entire N applied at two weeks after planting (Table 1), (ii) split application of N at two equal doses, half at planting and the other half at 4WAP (Table 2), and (iii) application of N at two equal doses half at planting and the other half at 50% flowering (Table 3).…”

Maize: Panacea for hunger in Nigeria

“…This recommendation is likely to be based on earlier studies where optimum density of 53,000-66,000 plants/ha gave optimum grain yield (Lucas, 1981). However, using high yielding FARZ 27 genotype, optimum yield at population density of 88,000 plant/ha was reported (Lucas, 1986). The density of 80,000 plants/ha was found optimal for hybrid maize varieties grown in Kaduna that is, Northern Guinea savanna zone of Nigeria and 53,333 plants/ha for Ikenne and Mokwa representing the forest and southern Guinea savanna zones respectively (Akintoye et al, 1997).…”

“…Common nitrogen recommendation for old NS series in Nigeria is 75 kgN/ha (Jones, 1973). Lucas (1986) recommended 150 kgN/ha for FARZ series based on profitability, although the yield of maize at 75 kgN/ha was not significantly different from the yield at 150 kgN/ha, while Akintoye et al (1999) reported responses up to 70, 140 and 210 kg N/ha for maize grown in Ikenne, Mokwa and Kaduna respectively, using different maize genotypes.…”