Effect of different compost types and application methods on growth and yield of three maize hybrids

Abstract

Two field experiments were carried out in El-Bossily site for protected cultivation, Behira Gov., Central Laboratory for Agricultural Climate (CLAC), Egypt, during the two summer seasons of 2007 and 2008 to study the effect of different compost types (rice straw, cucumber canopy and maize stalks) and application methods of compost (25 cm deep + turned, 25 cm deep + bed and mulched) on growth and yield of three maize hybrids (Single Cross 10, Single Cross 155 and Three Way Cross 324). The obtained results indicate that, cucumber canopy compost recorded the highest values of N, P and K % content and lowest maturity period and C/N ratio while the lowest N, P and K % content and highest result of maturity period and C/N ratio gave by maize stalks compost. Single Cross 10 gave the significant highest of plant height at 75 days from sowing, grain and straw yields/fed. compared with the other hybrids. The mulch compost and cucumber canopy compost recorded the highest results of plant height, grain yield/fed., straw yield/fed. and N, P and K content in leaves at 75 days after sowing while the lowest values gave by application method 25 cm + bed and maize stalks compost. The interaction among single cross 10 x cucumber canopy compost x mulched application method showed the highest significant results of plant height, and N, P and K % content in leaves at 75 days after sowing, also grain and straw yields/fed. while Three Way Cross 324 x rice straw compost x 25 cm + bed application recorded the lowest values. © 2010, INSInet Publication.