Grain yield of extra-early maize varieties as influenced by intra-row spacing and fertilizer rates at Samaru, Zaria

Abstract

Two field trials were carried out in 2014 and 2015 rainy seasons at the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR) farm in Northern Guinea Savanna Zone of Nigeria. The experiment was conducted to evaluate effect of fertilizer rates and intra row spacing on maize grain yield and yield components. The treatment consisted of two extra early varieties of maize (Sammaz 28 and Sammaz 29), two fertilizer rates (0:0:0 and 120:26:50 kg NPK/ha), three intra-row spacing of 20, 30 and 40 cm. The trial was laid out in a 2 x 2 x 3 factorial arrangement fitted into a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replicates. The result showed that Sammaz 29, intra-row spacing of 30cm and fertilized plots produced higher 100 grain weight, grain weight per plot and grain yield per hectare significantly (P<0.05). It is recommended that Sammaz 29 should be planted at a spacing of 30cm and fertilized with 120:26:50 kg NPK fertilizer.