Yield and nutritional status of different maize genotypes in response to rates and splits of mineral fertilization

Abstract

© 2020 Friends Science Publishers. Efficient fertilizer management in maize production is based on supplying adequate amounts of nutrients for optimum economic yield, while minimizing losses to the environment. Exploiting genotypic differences in fertilizers use is required for achieving nutrient-use efficiency and higher yield. This two-year field study was designed to evaluate the influence of different fertilizer combinations on nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) uptake patterns, and yield in novel maize hybrids. Four divergent maize hybrids NS 4023, NS 6010, NS 6030 and NS 640 were grown under eight NPK combinations: 1: P60K60; 2: P60K60 + Nmin spring; 3: P60K60 + N40autumn + Nmin spring; 4: P60K60 + N60spring; 5: P60K60 + N100spring; 6: P60K60 + N40autumn + N60spring + Zn; 7: P60K60 + N40autumn + N80spring + Zn; 8: P60K60 + N160spring + Zn in both years of study. Different NPK combinations significantly improved NPK contents in leaves and grains along with substantial increase in 1000-grain weight, grain yield, grain protein contents and net returns of all tested hybrids; however, hybrids behaved differently in this regard. The highest N content in maize leaves was found in NS 4023 (2.39%), potassium in NS 6030 and NS 6010 (1.73%). Fertilizer combinations with N addition in autumn and spring + Zn, fertilization based on N correction in spring, showed positive effects on N content in grain and leaves; however P contents in leaves were not affected with fertilization systems. Moreover, P and K concentrations in leaves and grains decreased, which may be associated to better efficiency of maize hybrids. The highest yield was obtained with P60K60 + N40 autumn + N60 spring + Zn followed by fertilizer combinations, P60K60 + N40 autumn + N80 spring + Zn and P60K60 + N40 autumn + Nmin spring. The highest net benefit of 2091.6 and 2043.9 $ ha-1 was obtained in treatments: P60K60 + N40 autumn + N60 spring + Zn and P60K60 + N40 autumn + Nmin spring. In conclusion, the amount and timings of nutrients application significantly affect the yield and could help in determination of genotype potential. Moreover, the treatment combination, P60K60 + N40 autumn + N60 spring + Zn harvested maximum maize yield along with highest net benefits and benefit: cost ratio.