EFFECT OF PHOSPHORUS RATES AND METHODS OF ZINC APPLICATION ON MAIZE YIELD AND ITS COMPONENTS

Abd El-Kader, Mona G.; Siam, Hanan S.; Azoz, Abier A.

doi:10.21608/jssae.2007.201263

EFFECT OF PHOSPHORUS RATES AND METHODS OF ZINC APPLICATION ON MAIZE YIELD AND ITS COMPONENTS

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Soils, Water and Environment Res. Institute, Agric. Res. Center. Giza, Egypt

² Plant Nutrient Department, National Res. Center Cairo, Egypt

10.21608/jssae.2007.201263

Abstract

A field experiment was carried out at Demo, El Fayoum Governorate during two successive seasons 2004 and 2005 to study the effect of different levels of phosphorus (0, 15, 30 and 45 P₂O_5/ /fed) and methods of zinc application (soil application and foliar spray), and their combination on growth characters, mineral content and yield and its components of maize plant ( Zea mays L, c.v. Single hybrid 10).
The most important results could be summarized as follows:
1. Plant height, dry weight, ear weight, 100-grain weight, yield and yield components were increased significantly by increasing rate of phosphorus up to 45 kg P₂O₅/fed.
2. Zinc application by both methods has its positive effect on improving increasing maize yield and its components.
3. The interaction between phosphorus rates and methods of zinc application had a significant effect on grain yield /fed and yield components in both seasons.
4. In general, the highest yield and yield components were obtained when the plants received 45 kg P₂O₅/fed combined with zinc application as foliar spray.