Effect of Placement Distance and Depth of Granular Nitrogen Fertilizer on Growth and Yield of Maize
Abstract
Successful nitrogen management supplies enough nitrogen to the crop to optimize performance and profitability while minimizing losses to water and air. The present experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of fertilizer placement distance and depth of granular or slow-release nitrogen on growth and yield of C919 corn hybrid in 2012 winter 2013 spring seasons in Vinh Loc district, Thanh Hoa province. All experimental plots were applied with 8 tons of manure, 120 kgN in granular form, 90 kgP2O5, 90 kgK2O per hectare basis. Twelve treatment combinations of three placement distances and 4 depths of granular nitrogen fertilizer application was arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The results showed the depth and placement distance of slow-release nitrogen fertilizer did not affect growth duration of maize C919 in both growing seasons but leaf area index, dry matter accumulation, yield components and grain yield. Highest grain yield was obtained when slow-release N fertilizer placed at 10 cm from the plant and 10 cm deep in the soil.