Nitrogen and sulfur absorption by quality protein maize (QPM) maize as affected by interaction between nitrogen and sulfur fertilizers at Samaru, Zaria, Nigeria

Field trials were conducted in 2006, 2007 and 2008 wet seasons, at the Institute for Agricultural Research Farm, Samaru in the Northern Guinea savanna of Nigeria to determine the effect of interaction between Nitrogen and Sulfur fertilizers on up-take of Nitrogen and Sulfur by quality protein maize (QPM). Treatments consisted of four rates each of nitrogen (0, 60,120 and 180 kg N/ha) and sulfur fertilizer (0, 5, 10 and 15 kg S/ha) and two QPM varieties (Obatampa and EV – 99), laid out in a split plot design with variety and nitrogen in the main plots and sulfur in the sub plots and replicated three times. The result of this study showed that there was a significant effect of interaction between nitrogen and sulfur on up-take of both nitrogen and sulfur by quality protein maize (QPM). Higher up-take of N was influenced by the interaction of 120 kg N/ha and 15 kg S/ha in 2006, 0 kg N/ha and 5 kg S/ha in 2007, 120 kg N/ha and 0 kg S/ha in 2008. When sulfur up-take was observed, interaction between 180 kg N/ha and 5 kg S/ha in 2006, 0 kg N/ha and 15 kg S/ha in 2007, 180 kg N/ha and 10 kg S/ha in 2008 produced higher up-take by the crop. It could be concluded from this study that interaction between nitrogen and sulfur fertilizers significantly influenced up-take of N and S nutrients by QPM. However, level of influence varies between different fertilizer rate’s interactions.   Key words: Nitrogen, Sulfur, interaction, quality protein maize (QPM).