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Influence of Plant Population and Nitrogen-fertilizer at Various Levels on Growth and Growth Efficiency of Maize

M. I. Tajul
Institute of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan 2 Department of Crop Botany, BSMR Agricultural University, Salna, Gazipur 1701, Bangladesh

M. M. Alam
Department of Crop Botany, BSMR Agricultural University, Salna, Gazipur 1701, Bangladesh

S. M. M. Hossain
Institute of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan

K. Naher
Institute of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan

M. Y. Rafii
Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia and Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia

M. A. Latif
Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia and Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, Gazipur 1701, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Field experiments were conducted to evaluate plant population and N-fertilizer effects on yield and yield components of maize (Zea mays L.). Three levels of plant populations (53000, 66000, and 800000 plants ha⁻¹ corresponding to spacing of 75 × 25, 60 × 25, and 50 × 25 cm) and 4 doses of N (100, 140, 180, and 220 kg ha⁻¹) were the treatment variables. Results revealed that plant growth, light interception (LI), yield attributes, and grain yield varied significantly due to the variations in population density and N-rates. Crop growth rate (CGR) was the highest with the population of 80,000 ha⁻¹ receiving 220 kg N ha⁻¹, while relative growth rate (RGR) showed an opposite trend of CGR. Light absorption was maximum when most of densely populated plant received the highest amount of N (220 kg N ha⁻¹). Response of soil-plant-analysis development (SPAD) value as well as N-content to N-rates was found significant. Plant height was the maximum at the lowest plant density with the highest amount of N. Plants that received 180 kg N ha⁻¹ with 80,000 plants ha⁻¹ had larger foliage, greater SPAD value, and higher amount of grains cob⁻¹ that contributed to the maximum yield (5.03 t ha⁻¹) and the maximum harvest index (HI) compared to the plants in other treatments.

Keywords: Plant population, Nitrogen-fertilizer, Growth and Growth, Maize

Location: BSMR Agricultural University at Gazipur in Bangladesh.

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Crop-Soil-Water Management

Commodity: Maize

Objectives:

The present study was conducted to

determine the growth and growth efficiency of maize at different levels of N-fertilizer and plant population and
determine the optimum N-fertilizer application and plant population density for the maize growing farmers.

Methodology:

Experimental Site and Land Preparation: Field experiments were conducted during the rabi season (November– February) in the experimental field of the BSMR Agricultural University at Gazipur in Bangladesh. The soil of the experimental plot before application of farm yard manure and nitrogen was silty clay loam having pH 6.5, organic C content was moderate, 1.13%, total N (%) 0.08, available P (Olsen) 9 ppm, exchangeable K (meq 100 g⁻¹ soil) 0.20, exchangeable Ca (meq 100 g⁻¹ soil) 4.5, available S 14 ppm, Zn 10 ppm, and Fe was 370 ppm. The experimental field was cleared, and weeds were manually removed. The soil was ploughed and harrowed with powertiller, leveled carefully to get a well-pulverized soil, and divided into plots. Each plot was surrounded by 20 to 25 cm high mud plastered levee to prevent the entering of irrigation water. Recommended practices for disease and insect control were followed. Experimental Design and Fertilization of Crop: Field plots (2×4 m) were arranged in a split-plot factorial fitted to randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 3 replicates. Adjacent blocks were separated by a 2 m alley, and main plots were separated by a 1 m alley. Experimental treatments were repeated on the same 2×4 m plot area each year. The main plot treatments were 3 plant populations (53000, 66000, and 80000 plants ha⁻¹) and 4 rates of N (0, 100, 140, 180 and 220 kg N ha⁻¹) as subplots. Measurement of Crop Growth Rate (CGR) and Relative Growth Rate (RGR): Crop growth rate (CGR) is in the increase in plant dry materials per unit area of land per unit time. CGR values were estimated at 15-day interval as described by Hunt. The following formula was used: CGR (g² m⁻²day⁻¹) Determination of Soil-Plant-Analysis Development (SPAD) Value: Leaf chlorophyll content may be used as an indirect indicator of crop N status. Chlorophyll meter values (SPAD) were taken using a portable SPAD meter (Model SPAD-502, Minolta crop, Ramsey, NJ) starting from 60 DAS with 15-day interval. The instrument measures transmission of red light at 650 nm, at which chlorophyll absorbs light, and transmission of infrared light at 940 nm, at which no absorption occurs. On the basis of these two transmission values, the instrument calculates a SPAD value that is well correlated with chlorophyll content. Measurement of Grain Yield, Dry Matter and Harvest Index: After the final harvest, the cobs from each plot were separated, cleaned, dried, and weighed separately. Grain yield of each plot was recorded kg ha⁻¹ individually and adjusted at 14% moisture content. Dry-mass (DM) of roots and shoots was determined after drying the samples at 72⁰ C until the constant weight was attained. Chemical Analysis of Leaf: Leaves were collected and carried out in the laboratory of the Department of Soil Science, BSMRAU, Salna, Gazipur. Leaf N-content is an important physiological parameter that indicates the plant N status. The total nitrogen concentration in maize leaves was determined by modified the Kjeldahl digestion colorimetric method as described by Cataldo et al. Statistical Analysis: All data collected were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by protected Fisher’s least-significant difference (LSD) test. The means were separated by the LSD at the P = 0.05 level of probability. All the experiments were performed twice, and replicates (3) were averaged.

Source of Information: The Scientific World Journal, Volume 2013, Article ID 193018, 9 pages

Article Link (Online Journal): http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3791691/pdf/TSWJ2013-193018.pdf

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The results of this study conclusively reveal that the plant height was higher in sparsely populated plants with varying doses of N. Plants grown with 180 kg N ha⁻¹ with 80,000 plants ha⁻¹ had larger foliage, greater light absorption, and growth efficiency that eventually resulted in higher grain yield. On the basis of the obtained results, it concluded that growth efficiency could substantially be increased by adjusting population density with sufficient amount of N fertilizer. Further experiments should be conducted considering different combinations of major/minor nutrient elements to fully exploit the growth parameters of maize crop under local conditions.

Knowledge Management: Journal