Growth Response and Yield of Maize (Zea mays L.) for Levels of Slow Nitrogen Release

Abstract

Abstract The experiment carried out during season (2021-2022), in two locations first in the village of “Abu maria” in the Tal Afar District (51 km) western of Nineveh Governorate, and the second location was in the Hamidat district of “Badoush” (20 km) northwest of Nineveh Governorate, the aim of studying was the response of growth and yield of two Cultivars of Maze (Dragma and Sengunto) for Slow Nitrogen Release fertilization (SNRF) at levels (0, 15, 30, 45 kg.ha−1) and the recommendation of the ministry of agriculture (95 urea and 50 kg di-ammonium phosphate – DAP – per ha−1), the experiment designed with the Complete Randomize Design (RCBD) in the split-plot, as the two cultivars were in the main plots, while the fertilizer treatments were in the subplots, the most important results were summarized as follows: There were significant differences between the cultivars for vegetative characteristics in both locations in: (Male Flowering, and Female Flowering), while in “Badoush” location recorded significant differences in characteristics: (plant height and cob height). The levels (30 and 45 kg.ha−1) in characteristics (plant height, cob height, and the number of leaves at locations of study, while the mentioned treatments were significant in the location of “Badush” for characteristics (Male Flowering and Leaf Area). The interaction between Cultivars and Fertilizer levels was significant (“Sungunto” with Fertilization level (30 kg.ha−1) in Plant height at both locations, While there were significant differences in the interaction mentioned at “Badoush” for leaf area. Regarding the yield and its components, there were significant differences in the characteristics in both locations with two cultivars in the study, where (SNRF) was significantly different in yield, where levels (30, and 45 kg. ha−1) were superior for all characteristics of yield and its components at both locations. In the interaction between cultivars and (SNRL), there were non-significant differences in “Abu Maria” for yield characteristics and its components. However, in “Badoush”, there were significant differences in rows number in cob. Regarding the quality characteristics (protein percentage, and yield of protein), The Cultivars recorded a significant difference in yield of protein at both locations, while the differences were significant in protein percentage in “Badoush”. The protein percentage was non-significant at both Study locations at (SNRL) levels.