EFFECT OF PLANTING METHODS AND NITROGEN LEVELS ON THE YIELD AND YIELD COMPONENTS OF MAIZE

Abstract

An experiment was conducted at Malakandher Research Farms, NWFP Agricultural University Peshawar during 2005 to study the effect of nitrogen levels and planting methods on the yield and yield components of maize. The experiment was conducted in Randomized Complete Block (RCB) design with split plot arrangements having four replications. Statistical analysis of the data revealed that planting methods had a significant effect on number of grains cob -1 and thousand grains weight and a non significant effect on number of cobs plant -1 , barrenness percentage, cob length and harvest index. Similarly, the effect of nitrogen level was significant for all parameters except number of cobs plant -1 , number of grains cob -1 and harvest index. The data revealed that maximum number of grains cob -1 (439.8), thousand grains weight (279.5 g), grain yield (3494 kg ha -1 ) and stalk yield (7093.75 kg ha -1 ) were recorded in those plots which were sown on ridge planting method. Similarly, plots treated with 200 kg N ha -1 recorded maximum cob length (15.67 cm), thousand grain weight (289.67 g), grain yield (3934.80 kg ha -1 ) and stalk yield (8854.16 kg ha -1 ). Maximum number of grains cob -1 and thousand grain weight was recorded in plots sown on ridge and with the application of 200 kg N ha -1 .