Nitrogen-Use Efficiency in Maize (Zea mays L.) on Fluvisol Soils in Afgoi District, Southern Somalia

Abstract

In this study, an experiment was conducted to determine the best rate of nitrogen fertilization on maize grain yields and interaction of nitrogen levels and application methods of nitrogen on growth and yield of maize. For this purpose, the maize experiment was designed in the experimental farm of Somali Ministry of Agriculture, in Afgoi, Lower Shabelle, Somalia in 2017 spring and autumn. The treatments consisted of eight rates (0 kg N ha-1; 25 kg N ha-1; 50 kg N ha-1; 75 kg N ha-1; 100 kg N ha-1; 125 kg N ha-1; 150 kg N ha-1 and 175 kg N ha-1.) Nitrogen and three applying methods (broadcasting, row placement, and hill placement). The layout of the experiment was designed in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. A total of 9 parameters viz. plant height (cm), number of cobs plant-1, cob length (cm), cob weight (gr), 1000 grain weight (gr), stover yield (t ha-1), grain yield (t ha-1), biological yield (t ha-1) and harvest index (%), were collected. The collected data were analyzed statistically and means were adjudged by Duncan's Multiple Range Test at 1 and 5% level of probability. Both in the spring season and In the autumn season, according to the nitrogen rates, the result showed that there was significantly different in all characters among the different application rates of nitrogen the maximum stover yield was recorded in 100 kg N ha-1 while the maximum grain yield was noted from 100 kg N ha-1. Both in the spring season and In the autumn season in the methods of application, there was no significant variation in all parameters measured but the interaction effect was significantly different among the treatments, the maximum stover yield and grain yield  were recorded in 100 kg N ha-1 and hill placement. Thus, applying 100 kg N ha-1 and the method of row placement is promising to increase the maize yield and the study is required to be repeated for one more season.