Effect of nitrogen and zinc on maize (zea mays l.) Yield components and plant concentration

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1 AENSI Journals Advances in Environmental Biology ISSN EISSN Journal home page: Effect of nitrogen and zinc on maize (zea mays l.) Yield components and plant concentration 1 Jasim Iqbal, 2 Rayyan Khan, 1 Abdul Wahid, 1 Kamil Sardar, 2 Nangial Khan, 3 Murad Ali, 1 Mujahid Hussain, 1 Waqar Ali, 1 Mukhtiar Ali and 1 Rafiq Ahmad 1 Department of Soil and Environmental Sciences The University of Agriculture Peshawar-Pakistan 2 Department of Agronomy The University of Agriculture Peshawar-Pakistan 3 Cereal Crops Research Institute, Pirsabak, Nowshera. Address For Correspondence: Jasim Iqbal, Department of Soil and Environmental Sciences The University of Agriculture Peshawar-Pakistan jasimkhan38@gmail.com This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution International License (CC BY). Received 1 July 2016; Accepted October 2016; Published 20 October 2016 ABSTRACT This field experiment was carried out to study the effect of different levels of nitrogen (N) and Zinc (Zn) on maize productivity. The experiment was performed at the Agricultural Research Centre, Swabi, during spring season, Three N levels (100, 150 and 200 kg ha - 1 ) were applied as urea, in combination with four Zn levels (0, 5, 10 and 15 kg ha -1 ) were applied as zinc sulphate (ZnSO 4). Treated plots were replicated four times and were laid out in RCB Design. Size of the plot was 3m x 4m (12 m 2 ). Experimental data showed that growth, yield and quality parameters of maize were significantly affected by both N and ZnSO 4. Highest ears weight (6020 kg ha -1 ) was N 200 kg ha -1, plant height (231.9 cm) was N 150 kg ha -1, maximum values of numbers of grains per cob (427), number of grain rows per cob (14), 1000 grain weight (277 gm) and total yield of grains (5012 kg ha -1 ) were N 200 kg ha -1. Highest values of most parameters were recorded in plots treated with 200 kg ha -1 along with 15 kg ha -1 which were parallel to that of 150 kg ha -1 and 15 kg ha -1. Total plant N and Zn in plant were found superior in those plots which were treated by 200 kg ha -1 in combination with Zn 15 kg ha -1. This field experimental study suggested that N should be 150 kg ha -1 in combination with 10 kg ha -1 to get better yield of maize crop. KEYWORDS: Zea mays; nitrogen; zinc; ZnSO 4; grain yield; agronomic characters; Pakistan. INTRODUCTION Maize (Zea mays L.) also known as corn, is one the most important cereal crop of the world. Maize is often called as the king of cereal crops [8]. Maize has the shortest growing season as compared to all other cereal crops. It is said that maize ranked as 3 rd crucial cereal crop in the world. Maize is also drought resistant and can be grown almost in every corner around the world. Maize proved to be most suitable forage as it is characterized by its high energy content and considerable protein content, compared to other cereal forage crops [3]. Maize can be grown in different environmental conditions but especially it can be grown in spring and in summer seasons. Great amount of organic matter needed for maize to grow best and to give high yield, therefore it is best way to grow maize in soil having high organic matter. Maize needs certain amount of nutrient such as nitrogen phosphorous potassium and also some micronutrients such as zinc etc. In Pakistan, maize come most crucial crop after wheat and rice and mostly grown in Punjab province and in KPK province. Nitrogen (N) is a most important and crucial major nutrient and it is very important for maize and other cereal crops. In condition where there is lack of nitrogen in soil, plant maturity can be delayed and also it minimize yield of crop to high extent. If the plants are deficient in nitrogen then the nutrients present in the soil cannot be utilized by plants [12]. Nitrogen mainly involves in important purposes with in compounds such as Copyright 2016 by authors and Copyright, American-Eurasian Network for Scientific Information (AENSI Publication).

2 204 Jasim Iqbal et al, 2016 minerals, co-enzymes and nucleic acid as well. In Pakistan it is suggested for most of the hybrid of maize that nitrogen should be applied at the suggested rate of 200 kg per hectare. In most different researches higher yield of maize is gained by higher doses of nitrogen. Maize also need some micro nutrients for its better growth and higher yield such as zinc (Zn). Zinc also plays a very important role in plant better growth. Although zinc required in small quantity for crops but if there is zinc deficiency then it can with hold plant growth. For quality of edible parts of crop, for enhancement of yield and zinc concentration in plants, Zn is extensively used [30]. Zinc plays role in metabolic functions and also it increase protein content in grain because it helps in protein synthesis in grain. Zinc can also increase the plumpness of grain which results in better yield of crop. Generally, zinc is used in form of zinc sulfate (ZnSO 4) fertilizers because zinc sulfate have higher rate of solvency. Based on the study of FAO [4], it was found that very small amount of farmers in Pakistan use zinc for cereal crops. The core objective of this study was to check the response of maize to different levels of nitrogen along with zinc sulphate. MATERIAL AND METHODS Field research entitles Effect of various levels of nitrogen and zinc on Maize productivity was executed at Agricultural Research Centre, Swabi, in spring Controls along with the combination of all other treatments were allotted randomly to experimental plots using RCB Design repeated four times. 3m x 4m (12 m 2 ) was the size of plots. Three levels of (100, 150 and 200 kg ha -1 ) were applied as urea, in combination with four Zn (0, 5, 10 and 15 kg ha -1 ) were applied as zinc sulphate (ZnSO 4). Maize hybrid Pioneer 3025 was 30 kg ha -1 seed rate on plane beds with 75cm at distance rows and 25cm a part plants. In form of SSP, recommended dose of phosphorous (90 kg ha -1 ) was applied. And in form of SOP, potassium was applied at current recommended dose (60 kg ha -1 ). According to the crop requirement irrigation was adjusted. Unvarying & common agronomic practices were kept for every treatment plot. Pre-Harvest soil samples were taken from the depth of (0-30 cm) and then were combined as composite soil sampler and were checked for various physical and chemical properties of soil by method indicated by [11]. Data is given below in table 1. Table 1: Physico-chemical properties of experimental field soil Property Unit Value Textural Class Silty Loam ph E.C dsm Organic matter % 0.90 CaCO 3 % 13.6 Zinc mg kg Total Nitrogen % 0.09 Electrical conductivity of each treated plot was determined by using E.C meter in (1:5) soil & water suspensions. By using calcimeteric method solution of 0.5 N HCl, calcium carbonate was determined. With HCl (50ml 0.5 N), 5gm of soil was treated and then was heated for about 5 minutes on hot plates, then titrated with 0.25 N NaOH. Readings were noted. Add few drops of phenolphthalein as an indicator. % lime was calculated by the formula i.e. %Lime = milli equivalent of HCl - milli equivalent of NaOH x 0.05 x 100 Weight of sample (soil) Using method of Bouyocous Hydrometer, texture of the soil was found out. In soil collected samples O.M was analyzed through the method of Walkley-Black. Agronomic Parameters: By using meter rod after selecting 10 random plants in plots at physiological maturity stage, data was noted for plants height and after that standard data was measured. On 10 indiscriminately chosen cobs in each one plot, numbers of grains were noted. Common data was measured then. In 10 selected ears in each and every plot, data for rows of grains were sorted out. Average values were taken then. In every plot, the ear weights data were calculated. And then was changed to kilogram per hectare. The formula used for conversion is given below.

3 205 Jasim Iqbal et al, 2016 Ears weight ( kg ears weight ) = ha plot size 104 m 2 In each treated plot, 1000 grains weight data were calculated in gram. In each plot the total grains mass was noted. Then on kg ha -1 basis, overall yield was determined. Grain yield ( kg wt of grain/plot ) = ha size of plot 10 4 m 2 Statistical analysis: To the Randomized Complete Block Design relevant procedure, statistically, recorded data was examined. At 5 % significance level, Least Significant Difference was used, in case of significant difference for mean comparison. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Plant Height (cm): Data (table 2) showed that plant height data was statistically significant. The greatest height of plant (232.6 cm) 15 kg Zn ha -1. Lowest height of plant (209.8 cm) was 0 kg Zn ha -1. The highest plant height at nitrogen treatments (231.9 cm) noted in 150 kg N ha -1 and the lowest plant height (205.1 cm) traced at plots treated by 100 kg N ha -1. Nitrogen helps in maize plant growth & zinc helps in enzymes metabolism and faster cell divisions, cell elongation and ultimately increases plant height. The increment in plant height is also due to the nitrogen usage by plants in active cell division to form building blocks for cell expansion [29]. Nitrogen and zinc also helps in manufacturing more leaf area as a consequence more assimilates production and increases plant height. Similarly more vegetative development by nitrogen resulted in increased mutual shading and intermodal expansion [6]. These results are confirmed by that of [15]. Number of Grains/cob: Data of number of grains cob -1 showed significant effect to various treatments (table 2). Utmost grains in cob (427) were gained in plots in which N 200 kg ha -1 while smallest amount numbers of grain (392) noted 100 kg N ha -1 applied plots. At zinc treatment plots, highest data (431) was 15 kg Zn ha -1 and lowest grains number per cob (392) was 0 kg Zn ha -1. The data is in streak with Akbar et al. [2] and Asif et al. [7]. They confirmed that escalating level of nitrogen improved per cob grains number. Also zinc helps in grain protein synthesis and other enzymes, thus number of grain rows per cob increased [9]. The grains per cob also attributed to genetic make-up of the plants and fertility status of the soil [22], as in sufficient amount of N and Zn were applied to the soil thus have a positive impact on grains per cob. Number of grain rows: Table 2 demonstrated that grains rows per cob statistics were significantly affected (P<0.05). Upper limit number of rows (14) was calculated 200 kg N ha -1 plots against least rows of grain (12) which were calculated 100 kg N ha -1. Although at zinc treatments, uppermost rows of grain per cob (14) were Zn 15 kg ha -1 while lower number of grain rows per cob (12) was 0 kg Zn ha -1. These conclusions are matching to that of Ehsanullah et al. (2015). The possible reason is the high doses of zinc because zinc helps in grain protein synthesis and other enzymes, thus number of grain rows per cob increased [9]. Ears weight : Ear weight (table 2) also showed that our experimental values of ear weight were statistically significant (P<0.05) to different treatments. Mean values of the data indicates maximum ear weight (5691 kg ha -1 ) was Zn 15 kg ha -1. Lowest ear weight (4852 kg ha -1 ) 0 kg Zn ha -1. Although at different nitrogen levels, highest value of ear weight (6020 kg ha -1 ) was gained in plots treated 200 kg N ha -1. Lowly ear weight (3855 kg ha -1 ) was N 100 kg ha -1 treatment plots. Ears weight increased with applying nitrogen and zinc at high rates. Experimental outcomes are in agreement with Asif et al. [7]. They claimed that increasing N and Zn levels increase maize ear weight grain weight (gm): 1000 grain weight values (table 2) showed positive effect to both nitrogen and zinc treatments. Heavier grains (275.8 gm) were 150 kg N ha -1 while lighter value (262.5 gm) was 100 kg N ha -1. At different zinc treatments, highest outcome (276.7 gm) was 15 kg Zn ha -1 against lowest grain weight (264.3 gm) noted 0 kg Zn ha -1 plots. Tariq et al. [27] also presented that maize yield factors and yield was positively amplified by zinc application. Sharar et al. [25] had confirmed that on this trait there was influential effect of zinc along with nitrogen as well. It is the imperative yield dependent parameter. It expresses

4 206 Jasim Iqbal et al, 2016 the magnitude of seed formation and development. The production of more assimilates as a result of the synergistic effect of nitrogen and zinc finally formed heavier grains and more thousand grains weight was achieved. Grain Yield : Total grain yield (table 2) was significantly affected by applying different treatments of N & Zn. Peak total granule yield (5012 kg ha -1 ) at nitrogen sources 200 kg N ha -1 and lowest total granule (2882 kg ha -1 ) 100 kg N ha -1. At zinc sources, maximum total granule yield (4564 kg ha -1 ) noted in plots treated 10 kg Zn ha -1 and lowest value (3892 kg ha -1 ) was 0 kg Zn ha -1. Saeed et al. [23] & Mukhtar et al. [18] stated grain total yield got affected by nitrogen. Our results and Rafiq et al. [20] findings are similar, where application of zinc increase total grain yield in combination with high nitrogen doses. The increase in grain yield was probably due to more number of rows per cob, number of grains per row, more thousand grains weight etc. It is also due to the encouragement in photosynthesis, rapid growth and formation of heavy green foliage by nitrogen and zinc effectiveness which in turn produced more yield. Table 2: Impact of N and Zn on yield and quality parameters of maize. Treatments Plant height (cm) Grains number per cob Grain rows per cob Ear weight 1000 Grain Weight (gm) Grain Yield Total plant N (%) Nitrogen levels N 1 = c 392 b 12 b 3855 b b 2882 b 0.35c 24.0 c N 2 = a 412 ab 14 a 5978 a a 4983 a 0.53b 31.3 b N 3 = b 427 a 14 a 6020 a a 5012 a 0.69a 32.7 a LSD (P 0.05) Zinc levels Zn 1= d 392 b 12 b 4852 d c 3892 c 0.46 c 14.7 d Zn 2 = c 405 ab 13 ab 5177 c b 4180 b 0.51 b 27.4 c Zn 3 = b 414 ab 14 a 5417 b a 4564 a 0.55 b 35.3 b Zn 4 = a 431 a 14 a 5691 a a 4532 a 0.58 a 40.0 a LSD (P 0.05) Mean values with different letter(s) in a column are significantly different at P 0.05 LSD = Least significant difference. Zinc concentration in Plant (mg/kg) Total plant nitrogen (%): Mean data of total plant nitrogen (table 2) was statistically significant. Highest total plant nitrogen (0.69 %) was achieved N 200 kg ha -1. Lowest total plant nitrogen (0.35 %) was 100 kg N ha -1. Similarly, maximum total plant nitrogen (0.58 %) was observed at treated plot of 15 kg Zn ha -1 against the minimum total plant nitrogen (0.46 %) which was recorded at treatment plots of 0 kg Zn ha -1. Total plant nitrogen got higher at high doses of nitrogen. Possible reason of increasing total plant was also the absorption of nitrogen from the atmosphere by maize plant leaves and the synergistic effect of both N and Zn which helps in rapid growth and development of plants as they helps in photosynthesis and various plant biochemical processes which responds towards growth. This data is in accordance with that of the Keram et al. [13] and Moazzam et al. [16]. Zinc concentration in plant (mg/kg): As data in (table 2) showed that mean values of zinc concentration in plants were statistically significant. Highest value (32.7 mg kg -1 ) 200 kg N ha -1 and lowest value (24.07 mg kg -1 ) 100 kg N ha -1. At different Zn levels, maximum value (40.0 mg kg -1 ) was 15 kg Zn ha -1. Minimum value (14.7 mg kg -1 ) was 0 kg Zn ha -1. Zinc uptake was increased; possible reason can be the synergistic effect among N and Zn. These outcomes are in procession with Keram et al. [13], Morshedi and Farahbakhsh [17] and Ashoka and Desai findings, who revealed the positive interaction involving nitrogen and zinc. Similar results were also recorded by Moazzam et al. [16]. Conclusion: Nitrogen application at higher doses along with zinc gradually improved the yield and yield contributing components. However, 150 kg N ha -1 in combination with 10 kg Zn ha -1 and 200 kg N ha -1 in combination with 15 kg Zn ha -1 were found statistically similar in yield and yield contributing components. Also, it was concluded that total nitrogen concentration and zinc concentration in plant increased with increasing both N and Zn doses. Thus from conclusions of this study, it was suggested that nitrogen should be 150 kg ha -1 and 10 kg ha -1 for general use of maize crop in KPK Pakistan.

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