Effect of different doses of foliar applied nitrogen on growth and yield of hybrid maize

Nitrogen deficiency mostly limits the yield but its optimum level plays an important role in enhancing the maize kernel integrity and strength which results in better crop yield. A field experiment was conducted to determine the effect of different doses of foliar applied nitrogen on growth and yield of hybrid maize at Agronomic Research Farm, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad Pakistan during autumn season 2015. A randomized complete block design (RCBD) following three replications was applied. The field was tilled twice with a cultivar each followed by planking. After the preparation of land plots were made. The net plot size was 3 m x 5 m having 5 ridges per plot. The RxR and PxP distance was 60 cm and 20 cm respectively. Monsanto maize hybrid DK-6714 was sown manually by dibbling method at 1st August of 2015 following recommended seed rate of 25 kg per ha. Hoeing was done twicely to keep free the crop from weeds. At 3-4 leaf stage thinning was made to maintain plant population. All the other agronomic practices were applied following standard procedures except under study. Six treatments; farmer practice (Recommended 225:115:125 kg per ha NPK), water spray + basal dose (75:115:125 kg per ha NPK), foliar application of N2 2% solution + basal dose (75:115:125 kg per ha NPK), foliar application of N2 4% solution + basal dose (75:115:125 kg per ha NPK), foliar application of N2 2% solution + basal dose (115: 125 kg per ha PK), foliar application of N2 4% solution + basal dose (115: 125 kg per ha PK) were made. The foliar treatment of (2% and 4%) nitrogen and water was applied at 25 and 40 days after sowing respectively. The data related to quality and yield parameters was recorded and statistically analyzed. Foliar application of N2 4% solution + basal dose (75:115:125 kg per ha NPK) gives maximum leaf area index 6.95, cumulative leaf area duration 246.66 (days), cob length 18.43 (cm), cob diameter 5.26 (cm), number of grains cob-1 684.30, number of grains row 18.07, number of grains row-1 40.75, grain yield 8.02 (t per ha), harvest index 30.25 (%) and net return of Rs.103677 with BCR (1.79) than only water spray + basal dose (75:115:125 kg per ha NPK). Thus, it was concluded that foliar application of 4% N2 solution can be used to increase the maize productivity and also to minimize the environmental pollution along with input costs.