The Effect Of Time Of Nitrogen Application On The Growth, Yield And Nitrogen Content Of Three Maize (Zea Mays L) Varieties

Abstract

A study was conducted at the Kabete field station of the University of Nairobi, Kenya over two rainy seasons with the first crop planted in 1989 and the second in early 1990. The objectives was to investigate the best time to apply N to Maize (Zea Mays L.) crop. Three maize varieties, Katumani composite B, Embu 511 and Kitale 614 were used as the test varieties. The fertilizer timing treatments were based on the maturity periods of each variety but in general the applications were made at planting, 1/3 and 2/3 the periods to flowering and at flowering. The results showed that the timing of N application was generally insignificant with regard to crop growth, grain yield and quality. However application at 1/3 and 2/3 periods to tassel ling was generally superior to application at planting and the control( No N application). All the varieties portrayed a similar response to N application time and in fact there was virtually no interaction between variety and time of N application for all the considered parameters. In spite of all these, the long maturing Kitale 614 was generally superior to the short maturing Embu 511 which was in turn better than Katumani composite B both in terms of growth and grain yield.