Effect of nitrogen levels on grain yield and some attributes of some hybrid maize cultivars (Zea mays indentata Sturt.) grown for silage as second crop

Abstract

This study was carried out in order to determine the effects of nitrogen fertilizer on yield and yield components and some technological attributes of 3 dent maize cultivars grown under irrigated conditions in Mustafakemalpasa, Bursa, Turkey in 2005 and 2006 years. The plant height, the first ear height, ear length, ear diameter, ear number per plant, seed number per ear, 1000 seed weight, protein content, and grain yield (kg ha(-1))were investigated. In the experiment three cultivars as LG 2687, 34 M 43 and GH 2547 and 4 rates of nitrogen (0, 150, 300, 450 kg ha(-1))were used. When the nitrogen levels increased, grain yield also significantly increased up to 300 kg N ha(-1). The highest grain yield (13323 kg ha(-1)) was obtained from 300 kg N ha(-1) nitrogen doze, and the lowest yield (9805 kg ha(-1)) was produced the control plant (0 kg N ha(-1)). The effects of different nitrogen rates were not significant on plant height, first ear height, ear diameter, seed number per ear, and 1000 seed weight characters but significant on ear length, ear number per plant, seed yield and crude protein content. It was determined that 300 kg N ha(-1) was suitable for seed yield, The seed yield of cultivars ranged between 11 649 kg ha(-1) to 11918 kg ha(-1).