Plant density and nitrogen effects on growth dynamics, light interception and yield of maize

Shah, P. and Khan, A. (2008) Plant density and nitrogen effects on growth dynamics, light interception and yield of maize. Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science , 54 (4). pp. 401-411.

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Abstract

Maize (Zea mays L.) growth and yield are most sensitive to variations in plant density and nitrogen (N) in north-western Pakistan. This study was conducted on the Agricultural Research Farm of NWFP (North West Frontier Province) Agricultural University, Peshawar, from 2002–2004 to establish an accurate plant density and N management system aimed at high yield of maize. The 2 × 3 × 6 factorial experiment was designed having two plant densities (P1 = 60,000 and P2 = 100,000 plants ha−1) and three nitrogen rates (N1 = 60, N2 = 120 and N3 = 180 kg N ha−1) applied to the main plots, while six split application for N in different proportions were applied to subplots at different growth stages of maize in two equal (S1), three equal (S2), three unequal (S3), four equal (S4), five equal (S5) and five unequal splits (S6) at sowing and with 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th irrigation at two-week intervals. Growth rate and yield increased with elevated dose and number of N split applications. Improved endurance to high stands allowed maize to intercept and use solar radiation more efficiently, contributing to the remarkable increase in the crop growth rate and yield.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	growth rate, light interception, yield, plant density, N and maize
Author Affiliation:	NWFP Agricultural University, Peshawar, Pakistan
Subjects:	Plant Protection > Pesticides Soil Science and Microbiology
Divisions:	Maize
Depositing User:	Mr. SanatKumar Behera
Date Deposited:	25 Mar 2012 08:45
Last Modified:	25 Mar 2012 08:46
Official URL:	http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03650340801998623
URI:	http://eprints.icrisat.ac.in/id/eprint/4131

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