Efficacy of nitrogen on the growth and yield of maize (Zea Mays L.) in Obubra, Cross River State

Abstract

Two field experiments were conducted to determine the efficacy of Nitrogen fertilizer on the growth and yield of improved maize variety in the teaching and research farm department of Agronomy Obubra, Cross River University of Technology during the 2003 / 2004 cropping seasons. The experiment comprised seven rates of Urea (46% N) fertilizer at 0, 50, 90, 130, 170, 210 and 250 kg/ha with three replications. Urea application significantly increased plant height, number of leaves and ear weight, ear length and ear diameter per plant. The use of 210kg/ha Nitrogen produced the best maize grain yield of 2.43 and 2.96 tons/has in 2003 and 2004 cropping seasons respectively.

Keywords: efficacy of nitrogen, growth, yield

Journal of Agriculture, Forestry and the Social Sciences vOL 3(1) 2005: 35-40