Effect of Mineral and Nano Nitrogen Fertilizers on Yield and Yield Components of Some Yellow Maize Hybrids

Abstract

Two field experiments were conducted at the Experiment and Research Center, Fac. Agric., Moshtohor, Benha Univ., during 2018 and 2019 summer seasons. The aim of this was to study response of three yellow maize hybrids (SC 2055, SC 176 and SC P3737) to three N fertilizer rates (06, 06 and 120 kg N fed-1) and two Nano-N foliar applications (Without and Nano foliar applications). The experimental design was randomized complete block design (RCBD) using split split-plots arrangement with three replications. The yellow maize hybrids, N fertilizer levels and Nano-N foliar applications were arranged at random in the main plots, sub-plots and sub sub-plots, respectively. Single Cross P3737 was significantly earlier than the other hybrids regarding 50% tasseling and silking. Also, SC P3737 was superior to the other two hybrids in most of the studied traits. The highest values of plant height, ear length, ear diameter, No. grains row-1 , ear weight, ear grains weight, 100-grain weight, Forge yield fed-1 and grain yield fed-1 were obtained with fertilizer level of 120 N fed-1. On the other hand, the earliest tasseling and silking were recorded with 06kg N fed-1. Nano foliar application gave the greatest of all grain yield and attributes of yellow maize hybrids as compared with untreated. It could be concluded that under the conditions of the experiment, planting SC P3737 under 90 or 120 N fed-1 and nano foliar application is recommended. Introduction Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the most important strategic crops in Egypt and the world, and it ranks third order after wheat and rice crops in the cultivated area and productivity. The Egyptian policy aims to increase yellow maize production to face the large demand in order to minimize its imports through breeding for high yielding hybrids. This could be achieved by using high yielding hybrids and fertilization. The productivity of grain crops, including maize, is greatly influenced by the availability and abundance of the essential nutrients N necessary for plant growth and production. In this connection, maize hybrids differ in grain yield and yield attributes as reported by Mehasen and Ahmed (2009); Mehasen and El-Gizawy (