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Timing of Nitrogen Application to Enhance Corn (Zea mays , L.) Yields in a Desert Climate
Author(s) -
Esechie H. A.,
Elias S.,
Magpantay J.
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
journal of agronomy and crop science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.095
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1439-037X
pISSN - 0931-2250
DOI - 10.1111/j.1439-037x.1995.tb00221.x
Subject(s) - sowing , dry matter , agronomy , fertilizer , zea mays , leaf area index , nitrogen , grain yield , cultivar , yield (engineering) , biology , mathematics , chemistry , materials science , organic chemistry , metallurgy
Experiments were conducted in two consecutive years to investigate the response of two corn (Zea mays, L.) cultivars, Eperon and Challenger, to timing of N fertilizer in a desert climate. Fertilizer was applied three times (at planting, 6 weeks after sowing (6WAS) and at 9WAS) to give a seasonal total of 180 kg N ha ‐1 The N treatments were N ooo (control), N LOH (60 kg N ha ‐1 at planting, none at 6WAS and 120 kg N ha ‐1 at 9WAS), N LLL (60 kg N ha ‐1 at sowing, 6WAS and at 9WAS) and N LOH , (60 kgN ha ‐1 at planting, 120 kg N ha ‐1 at 6WAS and none at 9WAS). Generally, N ha ‐1 was associated with the highest grain and dry matter yields. Plants in N treated plots had significantly larger number of leaves and ear leaf N contents than the control at mid‐silk. High ear leaf N was associated with high leaf area index and dry matter yield. Based on these results, it would appear that the application of 60 kg N ha ‐1 at planting, followed by 120 kg N ha at 6WAS (N LHO ) is the most suitable for enhancing corn yields in the desert climate.