TY - JOUR
T1 - Evaluation of timing and rates for nitrogen application for optimizing maize growth and development and maximizing yield
AU - Hammad, Hafiz Mohkum
AU - Abbas, Farhat
AU - Ahmad, Ashfaq
AU - Farhad, Wajid
AU - Wilkerson, Carol Jo
AU - Hoogenboom, Gerrit
N1 - Funding Information:
The authors gratefully acknowledge the Higher Education Commission, Pakistan, for providing funding (no. 1-8/HEC/ HRD/2010/1202) to Hafiz Mohkum Hammad for 6 mo of IRSIP training in the AgWeatherNet Program at Washington State University, Prosser, WA. We thank Bernardo Cháves Córdoba (Associate in Research at Washington State University) for his competent technical assistance during the data analysis phase of this research. Also we are grateful to the anonymous reviewers for their valuable comments.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2018 by the American Society of Agronomy.
PY - 2018/3/1
Y1 - 2018/3/1
N2 - Accurately applying N fertilizer is challenging for maize (Zea mays L.) farmers in semiarid regions. The goal of this study was, therefore, to identify the best rates and timing of N applications for optimum maize development and maximum grain yield (GY). A 2-yr study (2009 to 2010) was conducted in the semiarid conditions of Faisalabad, Pakistan. Five N application rates were administered at three different times during each growing season. Photosynthesis, GY, N uptake, and N recovery efficiency (NRE) were significantly affected (P < 0.05) by the rate and timing of N applications. Photosynthesis, GY, and NRE increased linearly following application of 1/3 N at V2, 1/3 N at V16, and 1/3 N at R1 stages (treatment T2) with 250 kg N ha-1In contrast, the maximum N uptake was observed with an application of 300 kg N ha-1 without a significant increase in GY. The results suggest that N fertilizer recommendations should not be solely based on plant N uptake but also take into account the physiological processes of maize and NRE. Since the optimal N application rate for maximum GY was 250 kg N ha-1applied in three applications (1/3 N at V2, 1/3 N at V16, and 1/3 N at R1 stages), this rate and timing should be considered as the best fertilizer management practice for semiarid conditions.
AB - Accurately applying N fertilizer is challenging for maize (Zea mays L.) farmers in semiarid regions. The goal of this study was, therefore, to identify the best rates and timing of N applications for optimum maize development and maximum grain yield (GY). A 2-yr study (2009 to 2010) was conducted in the semiarid conditions of Faisalabad, Pakistan. Five N application rates were administered at three different times during each growing season. Photosynthesis, GY, N uptake, and N recovery efficiency (NRE) were significantly affected (P < 0.05) by the rate and timing of N applications. Photosynthesis, GY, and NRE increased linearly following application of 1/3 N at V2, 1/3 N at V16, and 1/3 N at R1 stages (treatment T2) with 250 kg N ha-1In contrast, the maximum N uptake was observed with an application of 300 kg N ha-1 without a significant increase in GY. The results suggest that N fertilizer recommendations should not be solely based on plant N uptake but also take into account the physiological processes of maize and NRE. Since the optimal N application rate for maximum GY was 250 kg N ha-1applied in three applications (1/3 N at V2, 1/3 N at V16, and 1/3 N at R1 stages), this rate and timing should be considered as the best fertilizer management practice for semiarid conditions.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85042866296&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.2134/agronj2017.08.0466
DO - 10.2134/agronj2017.08.0466
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85042866296
SN - 0002-1962
VL - 110
SP - 565
EP - 571
JO - Agronomy Journal
JF - Agronomy Journal
IS - 2
ER -
