Influence of nitrogen fertilization on the performance of early and late maturing maize varieties under natural infestation with Striga hermonthica (Del.) Benth

Kamara, A.Y. and et al, . (2009) Influence of nitrogen fertilization on the performance of early and late maturing maize varieties under natural infestation with Striga hermonthica (Del.) Benth. Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science , 55 (2). pp. 125-145.

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Abstract

Field studies were conducted in northeast Nigeria to evaluate the response of early and late-maturing maize varieties infested with natural populations of Striga to different rates of nitrogen (N) fertilizer. There were significant reductions in the number of emerged Striga at 120 kg N ha−1 for the early varieties and at 60 and 120 kg N ha−1 for the late varieties. The number of emerged Striga only significantly differed among the late varieties. Averaged across varieties, grain yield of the early varieties was 144% higher at 60 kg N ha−1 and 192% higher at 120 kg N ha−1 than without added N. For the late varieties the increase in grain yield was 85% higher at 60 kg N ha−1 and 144% higher at 120 kg N ha−1 than without added N. Among the early varieties, TZE COMP4 C3 had significantly lower grain yield than the other varieties. Among the late varieties, grain yields of 8338-1-1 and TZB-SR were significantly lower than in the other varieties. Our results show that the application of 60–120 kg N/ha to Striga resistant or tolerant varieties may reduce damage and increase grain yield. Higher economic rates of return was obtained at N rates of 60–120 kg N/ha than the other rates.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: maize varieties, Striga emergence, nitrogen fertilization, grain yield
Author Affiliation: International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, IITA-Ibadan, Nigeria, c/o Lambourn Ltd, Croydon, UK Department of Crop Production, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Nigeria
Subjects: Plant Production
Plant Protection
Divisions: Maize
Depositing User: Mr. SanatKumar Behera
Date Deposited: 25 Mar 2012 11:51
Last Modified: 25 Mar 2012 11:51
Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03650340802342284
URI: http://eprints.icrisat.ac.in/id/eprint/4135

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