Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2016 Nov 30:7:1773.
doi: 10.3389/fpls.2016.01773. eCollection 2016.

Nitrogen Source and Rate Management Improve Maize Productivity of Smallholders under Semiarid Climates

Amanullah  1 , Asif Iqbal  1 , Ashraf Ali  1 , Shah Fahad  2 , Brajendra Parmar  3
Affiliations

Nitrogen Source and Rate Management Improve Maize Productivity of Smallholders under Semiarid Climates

Amanullah et al. Front Plant Sci. .

Abstract

Nitrogen is one of the most important factor affecting maize (Zea mays L.) yield and income of smallholders under semiarid climates. Field experiments were conducted to investigate the impact of different N-fertilizer sources [urea, calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN), and ammonium sulfate (AS)] and rates (50, 100, 150, and 200 kg ha-1) on umber of rows ear-1 (NOR ear-1), number of seeds row-1 (NOS row-1), number of seeds ear-1 (NOS ear-1), number of ears per 100 plants (NOEP 100 plants-1), grain yield plant-1, stover yield (kg ha-1), and shelling percentage (%) of maize genotypes "Local cultivars (Azam and Jalal) vs. hybrid (Pioneer-3025)." The experiment was conducted at the Agronomy Research Farm of the University of Agriculture Peshawar during summers of 2008 (year one) and 2010 (year two). The results revealed that the N treated (rest) plots (the average of all the experimental plots treated with N) had produced higher yield and yield components, and shelling percentage over N-control plots (plots where N was not applied). Application of nitrogen at the higher rate increased yield and yield components in maize (200 > 150 > 100 > 50 kg N ha-1). Application of AS and CAN had more beneficial impact on yield and yield components of maize as compared to urea (AS > CAN > urea). Hybrid maize (P-3025) produced significantly higher yield and yield components as well as higher shelling percentage than the two local cultivars (P-3025 > Jalal = Azam). Application of ammonium sulfate at the rate of 200 kg N ha-1 to hybrid maize was found most beneficial in terms of higher productivity and grower's income in the study area. For the two local cultivars, application of 150 kg N ha-1 was found more beneficial over 120 kg N ha-1 (recommended N rate) in terms of greater productivity and growers income.

Keywords: N levels; N source; Zea mays L.; genotypes; grain yield; shelling percentage; yield components.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Nitrogen rates and genotypes interaction influence number of rows ear−1 in maize during 2008.
Figure 2
Figure 2
(A) Nitrogen rates and sources interaction influence number of seeds row−1 in maize during 2008. (B) Nitrogen rates and sources interaction influence number of seeds row−1 in maize during 2010.
Figure 3
Figure 3
(A) Nitrogen sources and genotypes interaction influence number of seeds row−1 in maize during 2008. (B) Nitrogen sources and genotypes interaction influence number of seeds row−1 in maize during 2010.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Nitrogen rates and sources interaction influence number of seeds ear−1 in maize during 2008.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Nitrogen sources and genotypes interaction influence number of seeds ear−1 in maize during 2008.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Nitrogen rates and genotypes interaction influence number of seeds ear−1 in maize during 2010.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Nitrogen rates and genotypes interaction influence number of ears per 100 plants in maize during 2010.
Figure 8
Figure 8
Nitrogen rates and genotypes interaction influence grain yield of maize during 2010.
Figure 9
Figure 9
Nitrogen rates and sources interaction influence stover yield of maize during 2008.
Figure 10
Figure 10
Nitrogen rates and genotypes interaction influence stover yield of maize during 2008.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Akram M., Ashraf M. Y., Waraich E. A., Hussain M., Hussain N., Mallahi A. R. (2010). Performance of autumn planted maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids at various nitrogen levels under salt affected soils. Soil Environ. 29, 23–32.
    1. Alizade O., Majidi I., Nadian H. A., Mohamadi G. H. N. (2007). Effect of drought stress and nitrogen rates on yield and yield components of corn. Int. J. Agric. Sci. 13, 427–437. 10.4172/2329-9029.1000164 - DOI
    1. Amanullah (2014). Source and rate of nitrogen application influence agronomic N-use efficiency and harvest index in maize (Zea mays L) genotypes. Maydica 59, 80–89.
    1. Amanullah (2016). Rate and timing of nitrogen application influence partial factor productivity and agronomic NUE of maize (Zea mays L) planted at low and high densities on calcareous soil in northwest Pakistan. J. Plant Nutr. 39, 683–690. 10.1080/01904167.2015.1087031 - DOI
    1. Amanullah Almas, L. K., Al-Noaim N. I. (2015a). Nitrogen Rates and Sources Affect Yield and Profitability of Maize in Pakistan. Peshawar: Crop, Forage & Turfgrass Management.