ABSTRACT
Maize (Zea mays L.) is an important staple food and an important source of carbohydrates and vitamins A and C. The use of N-fertilizers in split doses enhances maize productivity and its time of application is critical for optimal yield and quality. However, split application of N requires multiple applications which leads to increased labour cost, complex management and leaching losses. Therefore, the need for development of one-time N application is essential.
The objective of the study was to evaluate the agronomic performance of maize to un-split N application in a tropical rainforest environment. The study was conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Benin, Benin City. It was laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design, replicated 4 times. The treatments were N application at sowing (0 WAS), 1 week after sowing (1 WAS), 2 weeks after sowing (2 WAS), 3 weeks after sowing (3 WAS), with two control treatments; Zero N and Split N (2 and 4 WAS). The variables studied were plant height, ear height, grain yield and stover yield. Result showed that time of fertilizer application influenced maize growth and yield. The superior performance of maize when fertilizer was applied once at 2 weeks after sowing and when split-applied indicated that the time of application, whether as one-time or split application is critical to efficient use of fertilizer. Therefore, one-time application of N fertilizer 2 weeks after sowing and split application at 2 and 4 WAS are effective for good maize yield.
