Banding urea and lignosulfonate in corn (Zea mays L.) production and 15N recovery

1996 ◽  
Vol 76 (3) ◽  
pp. 365-371 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thamir Alkanani ◽  
Angus. F. MacKenzie

The use of urea in corn (Zea mays L.) production is common. Under current N fertilizer recommendations for corn, urea may have adverse effects on corn growth when applied in a band. The effects of ammonium lignosulfonate (LS) on corn growth and on N uptake from the banded application of urea and diammonium phosphate (DAP) mixtures were investigated on two soils from eastern Quebec. Field experiments were initiated in the first week of May 1991 on an Ormstown silty clay and a Ste. Rosalie clay soils (fine, mixed, nonacid, mesic Typic Humaquepts). Treatments were two rates of urea (30 and 90 kg urea-N ha−1) in combination with DAP (14 kg N ha−1), with or without banded fertilizer solutions of LS (8 kg N ha−1) applied at planting 5 cm to the side and 3 cm below the seed. A no treatment control was included. The low rate of urea and DAP (no LS added) resulted in a 19 and 24% increase in grain yield at the Ste. Rosalie and Ormstown, respectively, when compared with the unfertilized plots. When compared with the unfertilized treatment, the high rate of urea and DAP (no LS added) caused 10% increase in grain yield. However, addition of LS to the high rate of urea and DAP increase grain yield by band 20%. In general, LS significantly increased corn N uptake from urea on both soils. Separate 15N field experiments were initiated in June 1991. Mean recovery of 15N in total dry matter (grain and stover) was 51.9% in Ormstown and 47.9% in Ste. Rosalie soil. Denitrification estimates, calculated as 15N not accounted for, were not affected by LS and the rate of banded urea-N. Immobilization of 15N ranged from 17.8% to 30.9% of the applied labelled urea. The rate of urea-N banded had no significant effect on immobilization, but LS resulted in significantly less 15N immobilized. These observations suggest that LS can reduce the biological immobilization of urea-N and increase the efficiency of urea fertilizer by reducing the negative effects of banding high levels of urea, while attaining benefits of band placement. Key words: Lignosulfonate, corn, urea, 15N

1991 ◽  
Vol 71 (4) ◽  
pp. 1021-1027 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Tollenaar ◽  
M. Mihajlovic

Genetic grain yield improvement of maize (Zea mays L.) in Ontario during the past three decades can be attributed, in part, to increased tolerance to environmental stresses. We have observed a differential response of field-grown old and new hybrids after application of the photosystem II inhibiting herbicide bromoxynil (4-hydroxy-3,5-dibromobenzonitrile). Studies were conducted to test whether tolerance to bromoxynil is associated with stress tolerance and grain yield in maize hybrids representing three decades of yield improvement in Ontario. Experiments were carried out with seedlings of eight maize hybrids grown in pots in controlled-environment growth cabinets and, in one experiment, with seedlings grown in pots outside during the months of July and August at Guelph, Ontario. Bromoxynil was applied to the youngest fully-expanded leaf of plants at the 6- to 8-leaf stage and chlorophyll fluorescence of the treated leaves was measured in the 2- to 24-h period after bomoxynil application. Results showed that the chlorophyll fluorescence ratio Fv/Fm, an indicator of photosynthetic efficiency, declined after bromoxynil application until 4 h after application and, subsequently, recovered slightly during the next 20 h. Large differences in the Fv/Fm ratio were apparent among hybrids in the response to bromoxynil. The Fv/Fm ratio was significantly higher for hybrids released in the 1980s than for hybrids released in the 1970s, and the Fv/Fm ratio of the latter group was significantly higher than that of the four oldest hybrids. Chlorophyll fluorescence ratios Fv/Fm after bromoxynil application in the seedling phase were highly correlated with grain yield of the hybrids in field experiments conducted during 1987 and 1988 (r = 0.91). Results of this study support the contention that maize genotypes that are less sensitive to bromoxynil are less susceptible to environmental stresses. Key words: Zea mays L., stress tolerance, bromoxynil, chlorophyll fluorescence, Fv/Fm ratio, detoxifying agents


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 72
Author(s):  
S. Lamptey ◽  
Lingling Li ◽  
Junhong Xie

Water is one of the most important limiting factor of rainfed continuous maize (Zea mays L.) cropping systems in northwest of China. A three continuous year field experiments were conducted to study the influence of different nitrogen time of application on grain yield and water use efficiency of maize (Zea mays L.) in the Western Loess plateau. The experiment was laid in a randomized complete block design with two treatments and three replicates. Treatments were; (one-third application of N at sowing + two-third application at pre-flowering) and (one-third application of N at sowing + one-third pre-flowering + one-third at milking) as T1 and T2 respectively. The results showed that, T1 significantly increased grain yield by 9% in 2014 and 2016; and WUE by 11% in 2016 compared to T2. T1 increased AE by 43% compared to T2. Our results indicate that ⅓ application of Nitrogen at sowing and ⅔ application of Nitrogen at pre–flowering (T1) for maize is more appropriate for sustainable maize production in terms of satisfactory grain-N recoveries and low environmental losses of N fertilizer.


Author(s):  
M. Mohamed Amanullah

Field experiments were conducted at Maize Research Station, Vagarai, Palani Taluk, Tamilnadu during rabi 2018-19 and 2019-20 to find out the influence of detopping on green fodder, grain yield and economics of rainfed maize (Zea mays L.). The experiments were laid out in a factorial randomized block design with three stages and three heights of detopping. Three stages of detopping viz., D1-10 days after 50% silking, D2 -20 days after 50% silking and D3-30 days after 50% silking were tested with three heights of detopping viz., L1 - detopping tassel + 2 leaves, L2 - detopping tassel + 4 leaves and L3 - detopping tassel + 6 leaves with a control (No detopping) replicated thrice. The results of the experiments revealed that detopping 10 days after 50% silking with tassel + 6 leaves recorded higher green fodder yield Regarding grain yield, among the days of detopping, detopping 30 days after 50% silking and detopping 20 days after 50% silking recorded higher yield which were comparable with control (no detopping) (6460 kg / ha). Among the number of leaves, detopping tassel + two leaves recorded higher yield followed by tassel + 4 leaves and both were comparable. Among the treatment combinations, higher grain yield was recorded under detopping 20 days after 50% silking with tassel + 4 leaves followed by detopping 30 days after 50% silking with tassel + 4 leaves and detopping 30 days after 50% silking with tassel + 2 leaves. Regarding economics, higher net return and BC ratio were recorded under the treatment combination of detopping 20 days after 50% silking with tassel + 4 leaves followed by control and detopping 30 days after 50% silking with tassel + 4 leaves.


2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 64
Author(s):  
Innocent Malunga ◽  
Joyce J. Lelei ◽  
Wilkson Makumba

Nitrogen (N) is the most critical plant nutrient. Maize has a high nitrogen demand. Low maize (Zea mays L.), yields in smallholder farms of Malawi, the country’s staple, is attributable to declining N fertility aggravated by the ever increasing price of fertilizer. Little effort has been made to establish the best nitrogen rate in a maize- cowpea and maize-bean intercrop under variable soil conditions as a way of improving production, and was the objective of the current study. Field experiments were conducted at Chitedze Agricultural Research Station in Lilongwe and Makoka Agricultural Research Station in Zomba during the 2016/17 growing season. A split plot layout in a randomized complete block design, with three replicates was used. The main plots were; sole maize, sole bean, sole cowpea, bean/maize and cowpea/maize intercrop systems. The sub plots were N fertilizer rates (0, 52.5, 78.75 and 105 kg N ha-1), applied as urea. The data collected was subjected to analysis of variance using SAS software version 9.3 (SAS Institute Inc.) at P<0.05. Means were separated using Duncan Multiple Range (DMRT) test at 95% significance level. The results showed that application of N increased maize N uptake and grain yield. NUE however decreased with increasing N fertilizer rate.


2003 ◽  
Vol 83 (2) ◽  
pp. 241-247 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. L. Ma ◽  
L. M. Dwyer ◽  
C. Costa

Conflicting reports have led to a renewed interest in the effects of narrow row spacing and high plant population densities on maize (Zea mays L.) grain yield. Field experiments were conducted to evaluate maize response to row spacing and N fertility over a 4-yr period (1997–2000). A randomized complete block design, arranged in a split plot was used with four replications each year with modifications of treatments over years. Row spacings of 0.51 m, 0.76 m and 0.76 m paired row alone or in combination with hybrid were tested in the subplot whereas combination of fertilizer N by population density (1997 and 1998) or N alone was assigned to the main plot. In 1997 and 1998, combinations of N by density consisted of 0 , 60, 120, 180 and 240 kg N ha-1 at 89 000 plants ha-1, and 60 and 180 kg N ha-1 at 69 000 plants ha-1 using a single hybrid, Pioneer 3893. In 1999 and 2000, N fertility levels of 0, 80 and 180 kg N ha-1 >were the main plots and six combinations of hybrids (Pioneer 3893 and Pioneer 38P06 Bt) by row spacing were grown in the subplots at 69 000 plants ha-1. Row spacing and fertility levels showed no significant interaction for any parameter at any developmental stage. In both 1997 and 1998, row spacing had no significant effect on yield (yield differed by 5% among row spacing treatments) or harvest index (varied from 0.45 to 0.53). For Pioneer 38P06 Bt in 1999, grain yield of the 0.51 m row spacing with the 80 kg N ha-1 fertilizer rate was 14.6% higher than the conventional 0.76 m row spacing. In 2000, the substantially lower (11%) yield of the 0.76 m paired row spacing than the other row spacing treatments was more likely the result of an exceptionally cool and wet season. In 1997 and 1998, plant density showed no effect on shoot or root DM. The lower density (69 000 plants ha-1) did, however, show a higher root to shoot ratio than the higher density. Shoot DM, root DM and root to shoot ratio did not differ between the 60 and 180 kg N ha-1 fertility treatments. While higher N levels increased above- and below-ground crop N contents, row spacing showed no consistent effects on maize plants at the early stages. Under the conditions of this study, narrow rows did not result in higher yield or N use efficiency even plant density and N fertility varied. Key words: Maize (Zea mays L.), nitrogen use, population density, root/shoot ratio, row spacing


Author(s):  
Iliyasu Audu

Field experiments to study the performance of maize varieties (Zea mays L.) under different rates of nitrogen fertilizer and cow dung in Mubi, Adamawa State, Nigeria were conducted in 2014 and 2015 cropping seasons at the Food and Agricultural Organization/Tree Crops Plantation (FAO/TCP) Farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, Adamawa State University Mubi. A split plot design was adopted for the study with two maize varieties assigned to the main plots and nitrogen with cow dung assigned to the subplots in a factorial combination. Nitrogen rates of 0, 60 and 120 kg N ha-1 and cow dung 0, 1 and 2 ton ha-1 were used. Data were collected on number of cobs per plant, cob length, 100 grain weight and grain yield per hectare. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance using SAS system for windows 9.2 version 2005 and treatment means were separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test. Result showed that the effect of nitrogen fertilizer on the yield and yield parameters increased significantly with the use of 120 kg N per ha-1 recording the highest for cob length (17.68 cm) 100 grain weighs (32.89 g) and grain yield (5658.3 kg). The control plot produced the least. Application of 2 ton ha-1 cow dung exhibited the highest yield. there was an interaction of variety with nitrogen on cob length and grain yield. Application of 120 kg N ha-1 significantly increased the yield of Quality Protein Maize (QPM) along with 2 ton ha-1 cow dung.


Author(s):  
Mohammed Aajmi Salman ◽  
Jawad A. Kamal Al-Shibani

Beneficial microorganisms play a key role in the availability of ions minerals in the soil and use Randomized Complete Block Desing ( R.C.B.D ). The objective of this paper to the study effect of the of biofertilizer and miniral treatments on availability of NPK for crop corn zea mays L.Two types of biofertilizer are Bacterial Bacillus subtilis and Fungal Trichoderma harianum. Three levels of potassium fertilizer are (2.9533, 0.4000 and 2.9533). A field experiment in fall season of 2018 Has been conducted in silty clay loam soil. The experimental Results indicated that Bacillus and Trichoderma inoculation separately or together Have made a significant effect to increase in the availability of N P K in the soil compare to other treatments. The grain yield is where (2.9533, 0.4000 and 2.9533) of bacterial and fungal bio-fertilizer and potassium fertilizers respectively as compared to the control.


Crop Science ◽  
1969 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 265-267 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. P. Singh ◽  
M. S. Zuber ◽  
G. F. Krause

1988 ◽  
Vol 110 (1) ◽  
pp. 119-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. N. Thorne ◽  
P. J. Welbank ◽  
F. V. Widdowson ◽  
A. Penny ◽  
A. D. Todd ◽  
...  

SummaryWinter wheat grown following potatoes on a sandy loam at Woburn in 1978–9, 1980–1 and 1981–2 was compared with that on a clay loam at Rothamsted in 1978–9 and 1980–1, and on a silty clay (alluvium) at Woburn in 1981–2. The cultivar was Hustler in the harvest years 1979 and 1981 and Avalon in 1982. On each soil in each year multifactorial experiments tested effects of combinations of six factors, each at two levels.The best 4-plot mean grain yield ranged from 89 to 11·1 t/ha during the 3 years; it was smaller on the sandy soil than on the clay soil in 1979, but larger on sand than on the clay in 1981 and 1982. Until anthesis the number of shoots, dry weight and N content of the wheat giving these best yields were less on sand than on clay. Unlike grain weight, straw weight was always less on sand.Sowing in mid-September instead of mid-October increased grain yield on clay in each year (by 0·4·0·7 t/ha) and increased yield on sand only in 1981 (by 1·6 t/ha). Early sowing always increased dry weight, leaf area, number of shoots and N uptake until May. The benefits were always greater on clay than on sand immediately before N fertilizer was applied in the spring and usually lessened later on both soils.Aldicarb as an autumn pesticide increased grain yield of early-sown wheat on both soils in 1981 by lessening infection with barley yellow dwarf virus. Aldicarb increased yield on clay in 1982; it also decreased the number of plant parasitic nematodes.Wheat on sand was more responsive to nitrogen in division, timing and amount than was wheat on clay. In 1979 yield of wheat on sand was increased by dividing spring N between March, April and May, instead of giving it all in April, and in 1982 by giving winter N early in February. In 1981 division and timing on sand interacted with sowing date. Yield of early-sown wheat given N late, i.e. in March, April and May, exceeded that given N early, i.e. in February, March and May, by 1·4 t/ha; single dressings given all in March or all in April also yielded less than the late divided dressing. Yield of later-sown wheat given all the N in April was at least 1·2 t/ha less than with all N given in March or with divided N. In all years treatments that increased yield usually also increased N uptake. Grain yield on clay was never affected by division or timing of spring N or by application of winter N. This was despite the fact that all treatments that involved a delay in the application of N depressed growth and N uptake in spring on both sand and clay. The mean advantage in N uptake following early application of spring N eventually reversed on both soils, so that uptake at maturity was greater from late than from early application. Increasing the amount of N given in spring from the estimated requirement for 9 t/ha grain yield to that for 12 t/ha increased yield in 1982, especially on sand. The larger amount of N always increased the number of ears but often decreased the number of grains per ear and the size of individual grains.Irrigation increased grain yield only on the sandy soil, by 1·1 t/ha in 1979 and by 07 t/ha in 1981 and 1982. The component responsible was dry weight per grain in 1979 and 1982, when soil moisture deficits reaching maximum values of 136 and 110 mm respectively in the 2 years developed after anthesis; the component responsible was number of ears/m2 in 1982 when the maximum deficit of 76 mm occurred earlier, in late May.


1985 ◽  
Vol 65 (3) ◽  
pp. 481-485 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. J. HOEKSTRA ◽  
L. W. KANNENBERG ◽  
B. R. CHRISTIE

The objective of this study was to determine the effects on grain yield of growing cultivars in mixtures of different proportions. Two maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids, Pride 116 and United 106, were grown for 2 yr in pure stand and in seven mixtures of different proportions (7:1, 6:2, 5:3, 4:4, 3:5, 2:6, 1:7) at plant densities of 61 500, 99 400, and 136 000 plants per hectare. The total number of mixture combinations was 42, i.e. 2 years × three densities × seven proportions. All but one mixture yielded as expected based on the yield of component hybrids in pure stand. The higher yielding hybrid (United 106) yielded significantly less grain per plant in mixtures than in pure stand. The lower yielding hybrid (Pride 116) yielded more in mixtures than in pure stand, although the difference was not significant. These data support previous observations that the ability of a hybrid to yield in pure stands is not necessarily related to its ability to yield in mixtures. High plant densities appear to enhance the likelihood of interactions occurring among hybrids. For United 106, the number of proportions yielding less grain per plant than in pure stand was highly significant at the two higher plant densities. For Pride 116, the number of proportions yielding more than in pure stand was highly significant at the highest plant density.Key words: Corn, grain yield, mixtures of different proportions, high plant densities, Zea mays


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