Growth and yield response of streak virus resistant maize (TZESR-W) to different nitrogen rates on a sandy loam soil of semi-arid region of Nigeria

Field experiments were conducted at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Research Farm, Bauchi during the 1992 and 1993 cropping seasons to investigate the “Growth and yield response of streak virus resistant maize (TZESR-W) to different N rates on a sandy loam soil of semi-arid region of Nigeria”. Experimental treatments consisted of seven rates of N (0, 50,100, 150, 200, 250 and 300 KgN/ha) and optimum levels of P (17.5 Kg/ha) and K (50 Kg/ha) applied as base rates. These were tested in a randomized complete block design with 3 replications. N was split applied by side dressing in two equal does: half at two weeks after sowing and the other half at 5 weeks after sowing. Experimental results revealed that the application of N fertilizer up to 100 KgN/ha significantly increased the maize plant height, number of cobs, cob length, cob girth, cob weight, grain yield, stover yield and percent N in grain and stover over the absolute control in both 1992 and 1993 cropping seasons. In other words, the application of N fertilizer beyond 100 KgN/ha was not significant when compared with the absolute control. On the other hand, shelling percentage, 1000-grain weight and N uptake by stover were not significantly affected by N fertilizer application. This study therefore suggested that maize (TZESR-W) could be grown on a sandy loam soil of semi-arid region of Nigeria with the application of 100 KgN/ha, 17.5 KgP/ha and 50 KgK/ha. Application of N fertilizer beyond 100 KgN/ha on TZESR-W is a waste of resources.