Effect of plant population density and nitrogen fertilization on yield and yield components of some white and yellow maize hybrids under drip irrigation system in sandy soil

Abstract

Two field experiments at Private Farm in Middle Sinai, Eastern Bitter Lakes, Ismailia Governorate to study the effect of three plant population densities, i.e. 175000,21000 and 28000 plants per feddan and three nitrogen levels, i.e. 60,90,120 Kg/fed. On the yield and yield components of for maize hybrids (single cross 124,155, three way cross 320 and 352 productivity under drip irrigation system in sandy soil.

The main results can be summarized as follows:

The hybrid single cross 124 was superior to the other three hybrids (single cross 155, three way crosses 320 and 352) in grain yield and yield components and followed by single cross 155, three way crosses 320 and 352.

Increasing N levels from 60 to 120 Kg/fed significantly increased plant height, ear height ear length and diameter, number of rows, grain per row, ear per plant, 100 kernels weight, yield per plant and per feddan in both seasons of the study.

Increased plant densities significantly decreased all traits of yield and yield components except ear position.

A significant interaction effect between densities and hybrids was detected for yield per plant and yield per feddan in both seasons and ear diameter, grain per row and 100-kernel weight in the first season only. Meanwhile, a significant interaction effect between hybrids and nitrogen levels was detected for plant height, ear length ear position and ear diameter grain per row, 100-kernel weight, grain per plant and per feddan in both seasons.