الفهرس | Only 14 pages are availabe for public view |
Abstract Two field experiments were carried out at a private farm (newly reclaimed soil) at Somusta city, Beni- Suif Governorate, Egypt, during 2014 and 2015 growing seasons. These experiments aimed to evaluate the application of different nitrogen sources and their combinations for increasing the productivity and quality of yellow maize (Zea mays). Results showed that: Maize plants fertilized with 120 kg mineral nitrogen (MN)/fad. recorded the maximum leaves number/plant (12.67) and number of green leaves /plant (12.67) after 45 days from sowing. However, the application of 60 kg MN/fad + 60 kg organic nitrogen as poultry manure (ONP) /fad gave the maximum number of leaves /plant (15.17 and 17.83) and number of green leaves /plant (15.17 and 16.33) at stages of vegetative growth after 60 and 75 days from sowing, respectively. Application of 60 kg MN/fad + 60 kg ONP /fad gave the highest values of leaf area index (LAI) 3.16, 3.98 and 6.39 at all stages of vegetative growth i.e 45, 60 and 75 days from sowing, respectively. At harvest maize plants fertilized with 60 kg MN/ fad + 60 kg ONP /fad recorded the highest value of grains number/row (32.83) followed by 60 kg MN/fad + 60 kg organic nitrogen as compost (ONC)/fad. the highest values of ears number/plant were recorded with the treatments of 60 kg MN/ fad + 60 kg ONC /fad, 60 kg MN/fad + 60 kg ONP/fad and 60 kg MN/fad + 60 kg organic nitrogen as farmyard manure (ONF)/ fad with the same value (2.00). Data also revealed that the highest value of grain weight/plant (274.49gm.) was recorded at 60 kg MN/fad + 60 kg ONP/fad treatment. Application of 60 kg MN/fad + 60 kg ONP/fad produced significant maximum grain yield (3.05 ton/fad.), biological yield (6.37 ton/fad) and grain crude protein yield (296.83 kg/fad). Maize plants treated with 60 kg MN/fad + 60 kg ONP/fad gave the highest values of grain and straw nitrogen percentage by 1.17 and 0.42% respectively. In addition the highest values of grain and straw phosphor percentage (0.49 and 0.20 %) and potassium percentage (4.30 and 1.90%) respectively were recorded with 120 kg ONP/fad. Keywords: Maize, organic farming, yield components, NPK, nitrogen partitioning. |