Impact of Nitrogen Fertilization Levels on Morphophysiological Characters and Yield Quality of Some Maize Hybrids (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

A FIELD experiment was conducted in two successive seasons2012 and 2013 at the experimental farm, faculty of agriculture,Kafrelsheikh University, Egypt, to investigate the effect of differentnitrogen levels on growth, yield and quality of grains and forage ofsome maize hybrids (Zea mays L.). A split plot design with fourreplicates was used. Main plots consisted of four nitrogen levels (60,90, 120 and 150 kg urea/fed) and subplots, including three hybrids ofmaize (S.C.10, S.C.122 and S.C.124). Results indicated that the effectof nitrogen fertilizer and hybrids effects on chlorophyll a and b, leafarea, the number of grains per ear, number of grains per row, 100grain weight of maize, grain yield were significant. The S.C.10 wassignificantly higher than other hybrids in all traits under study exceptshelling percentage and crude fiber %, which could increase palatabilityand digestibility of the hybrid. There was no significant difference occuramong hybrids in crude fat in both seasons. N management by theapplication of 150 kg N/fed produced significantly more leaf area,number of grains row-1, number of grains ear-1,100-grain weight (g),grain yield (ard /fed), crude fat (%), fresh forage yield (ton/fed,protein (%) in forage yield and grain protein (%) however it had thelowest crude fiber %. Furthermore, there was not find significantdifference among N fertilizer levels on oil (%) and moisture (%),however, application of 120 kg N/fed. produced significantly moreshelling (%) and fresh forage yield (ton/fed). Thus, it concluded thatapplying 150 kg N/fed for S.C.10. could be used successfully forimproving production of maize grain and forage yield as well asquality traits.