Evaluation of the Effect of Different Levels of Nitrogen Fertilizer on Biomass Related Traits of Corn Cultivars in Isfahan
Subject Areas : Research On Crop Ecophysiology
Keywords: nitrogen, Single cross, Keywords: Corn, Leaf Dry Weight,
Abstract :
MOHAMMAD BAKHSHIAN*1, HOSSEIN HEIDARI SHARIFABAD2 1-Master’s Degree in Agriculture, University of Jiroft, Kerman, Iran 2- Assistant Professor at Department of Agriculture (Crop Physiologist), Science and Research University, Branch of Tehran, Iran *Corresponding author Email: m.bakhshian@yahoo.com Received: 9 July 2015 Accepted: 20 November 2015 ABSTRACT To evaluate the effect of different nitrogen fertilizer and cultivar levels on morphological properties in biomass of corn, a field experiment was performed in a farm located in Kabutarabad area of Esfahan in 2014. Experiment was conducted in the form of split plot design at complete randomized blocks with three replications. Different levels of nitrogen fertilizer in four levels of 100, 150, 200 and 250 kg per hectare of pure nitrogen from urea source were the main plots and different cultivars (SC500, SC 604, SC 700 and SC 704) were the sub-factors in sub-plots. The highest dry weight of leaf, stem and plant were obtained in 250 kg nitrogen per hectare. SC 704 due to the longer growing period had the highest leaf, shoot, and plant dry weights. With regard to sustainable agriculture and optimizing the use of fertilizer it can be recommended that under the same conditions of this experiment SC 704 with 250 kg N per hectare would have the best performance.
Research on Crop Ecophysiology Vol.11/1 , Issue 1 (2016), Pages: 52 - 57
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Original Research |
Evaluation of the Effect of Different Levels of Nitrogen Fertilizer on Biomass Related Traits of Corn Cultivars in Isfahan
Mohammad Bakhshian*1, Hossein Heidari Sharifabad2
1-Master’s Degree in Agriculture, University of Jiroft, Kerman, Iran
2- Assistant Professor at Department of Agriculture (Crop Physiologist), Science and Research University, Branch of Tehran, Iran
*Corresponding author Email: m.bakhshian@yahoo.com
Received: 9 July 2015 Accepted: 20 November 2015
Abstract
To evaluate the effect of different nitrogen fertilizer and cultivar levels on morphological properties in biomass of corn, a field experiment was performed in a farm located in Kabutarabad area of Esfahan in 2014. Experiment was conducted in the form of split plot design at complete randomized blocks with three replications. Different levels of nitrogen fertilizer in four levels of 100, 150, 200 and 250 kg per hectare of pure nitrogen from urea source were the main plots and different cultivars (SC500, SC 604, SC 700 and SC 704) were the sub-factors in sub-plots. The highest dry weight of leaf, stem and plant were obtained in 250 kg nitrogen per hectare. SC 704 due to the longer growing period had the highest leaf, shoot, and plant dry weights. With regard to sustainable agriculture and optimizing the use of fertilizer it can be recommended that under the same conditions of this experiment SC 704 with 250 kg N per hectare would have the best performance.
Keywords: Corn, Leaf dry weight, Nitrogen, Single cross
Introduction
Corn is one of the oldest plants cultivated, and today supplies about 70 percent of human food (Hochholdinger et al., 2004).
Plant growth requires adequate and balanced nutrients in the soil (Khajehpour, 2009). The essential elements for optimum growth of plant are different and requirements depend on the type of product (Sarmdnia, 1990). Nitrogen is the most important nutrient for crops and its deficiency is seen in the most calcareous soils (Malakouti et al, 2004), Tsai et al, 1990, Samiullah Khan and Ansari,1992. To increase the crop yield, manufacturers around the world consumed more than 800 million tons of nitrogen fertilizer per year (Uhart and Andrade, 1995). Inorganic nitrogen fertilizer by increasing yield and nutritional quality has highly beneficial effect of eliminating diet needs and food preferences of the world's growing population (Galloway and Cooling, 2002; Galloway et al., 2002).
However, due to the variability in soil and lake of accurate prediction of environmental conditions during the growing season, the nitrogen availablity in the root zone is one the most critical nutrient (Malakouti, 1990). The effects of nitrogen is more than other macronutrients, it stimulates vegetative growth. Nitrogen affects the growth and quality of vegetative organs and lack of nitrogen in the plant results in reduced longitudinal growth and limited root system of the plant (Ayub, Tanveer, Liand and Azam, 1999).
Nitrogen uptake in corn continues up to maturity of the grain and the main part of nitrogen absorbed transfers into the grain (Anderson, 1984). Corn needs the most nitrogen uptake in about one to two weeks before ear formation as well as 3 to 4 weeks it. Corn absorbs nearly 37%, 50% and 60% of its total nitrogen requirement at 14- level stage, male inflorescence formation and ear emergences, respectively (Bauer, Frank and Blaek, 1985).
Fertilizer recommendation to yield 8 to 9 tons of grain per hectare is 200 to 250 kg N per hectare or the equivalent 400 to 500 kg of urea per hectare (Ziaeyan and Malakuti, 2001). Due to the fact that Iran is located in arid and semi-arid region, due to low soil organic matter thus they have low levels of nitrogen and nitrogen-deficient plants and why it is necessary to provide the nitrogen (Malakouti and Homaiei, 2004). The aim of this study was to determine the best level of nitrogen fertilizer to increase crop biomass for maximum grain yield.
Materials and methods
To evaluate the effect of different levels of nitrogen fertilizer and cultivar on biomass relaed traits of corn, a field experiment was conducted in Kabutarabad, 12 kilometers east of Esfahan, at latitude of 32° 73΄ N and longitude of 51° 78΄E and an altitude of 1555 meters above sea level in 2014. This area is specified very hot and dry climate according to Copen. Experiment design was a split plot in randomized complete block with three replications. Nitrogen fertilizer in four levels of 100, 150, 200 and 250 kg per hectare from urea source was the main plot and different cultivars (SC500, SC 604, SC 700 and SC 704) considered as sub-plots. Pre – planting fertilizers were distributed to half of the specified amount for each plot and other half was used at tassel emergence stage. Planting was done by hand on July 11. The distance between rows was 75 cm and the distance on the row for the density of 75,000 plants per ha was 0.19 cm. Each plot consisted of five rows 6 m. Pre-plant atrazine herbicide (wettable powder 80%) at a rate of 6.1 kg per ha and Ardikan (emulsified liquid 82%) at a rate of 5 liters per ha were used with the first irrigation. The first irrigation was done immediately after planting and the next one was 4 days later and other irrigations were performed once every 6 days. At the time of pollination plant height, stem diameter, dry weight of plant components were determined, on 10 randomly selected plants from each plot. Duncan's multiple range test at 5 percent probability leves was used for mean comparions.
Results and discussion
Initial plant height
The results of variance analysis indicated that the effect of nitrogen on the initial plant height was significant at probablity level of 5% (Table 1). The highest and lowest initial heights were absorbed in 200 and 100 Kg N per hectare treatments (Table 2).
The effect of nitrogen fertilizers is to stimulate growth regulators particularly Auxin and Cytokine, which will be used to increase plant height and root growth, respectively. Kasperbaer and Carlene, 1994 and Wolton, 2005 indicated that nitrogen increases plant height.
There was no significant differences among the cultivars with respect to initial plant height (Table 1). However, the maximum plant height was observed for SC704 and the minimum height was related to for SC 500 (Table 2) Rajput, 1992 suggested that plant height is one of the important agronomical traits affected by genotypes and growth conditions.
Plant height at tasseling
In the stage of tassel emergence plant heights in differently nitrogen treatments were significant different at the probability level of 5% (Table 1). The maximum and minimum heights were observed in 250 and 100 kg N per hectare treatments, respectively (Table 2). Nitrogen plays a major role in biochemical activities (e.g. plant hormone production) and vegetative growth, and if the fertilizer is used at the beginning of the growing season to provide the desired effect, increases leaf area and enhances the photosynthesis in plants and as a result increases plant height. Higher the plant height will increase fertilizer acceptance and thus enhances the effect of nitrogen fertilizers for growth stimulating substances, particularly Auxin and Cytokinin that increase plant height and root growth, respectively. Onken, et al. (1985) indicated that nitrogen increases the plant height, and concequently the shadow between neighboring plants (Oikeh, Kling and Okoruwa, 1998).
The effect genotype on plant height was significant at probability level of 5% (Table 1). The greatest and lowest heights were related to SC 704 and SC 500, respectively (Table 2).
Table 1. Analysis of variance for some of the traits of different corn cultivars under fertilizer treatments
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| Mean square |
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| Degree of freedom | Initial height |
| Plant height at tasseling | Stem diameter | Leaf dry weight | Shoot weight dry | Ear dry weight |
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Replication | 2 | 273.4 * |
| 876.9 | 0.08 | 1212.3 * | 217610.5 | 397.7 |
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Nitrogen | 3 | 303.1 * |
| 70138.3* | 0.5 * | 1054.6 * | 152715.9** | 8362.8 * |
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Error a | 6 | 29.7 |
| 808.5 | 0.075 | 20.70 | 7714.3 | 128.5 |
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Cultivar | 3 | 61.2 ns |
| 3.65307 * | 0.33 * | 2146. 85 ** | 101345.5 * | 12286.4 ** |
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Interaction | 9 | 12.6 ns |
| 103.4 ns | 0.001 ns | 7.95 ns | 29107.6 ns | 1927.1 ns |
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Error b | 24 | 10.9 |
| 301.7 | 0.041 | 5.25 | 3318.04 | 63.9 |
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*, ** and ns significant at the probability levels of 5% and 1% and non-significant, respectively.
Table 2. Mean comparisons of nitrogen treatments and different cultivars of corn
Treatments | Initial plant height |
| Plant at tasseling | Stem diameter |
| Leaf dry weight | Stem dry weight | Ear dry weight |
| (cm) |
| (cm) | (cm) |
| (Kg per ha) | (Kg per ha) | (Kg per ha) |
Nitrogen (Kg per ha) |
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100 | 36.30c |
| 179.92d | 2.53 a |
| 1851.9d | 2.4 2 60 c | 3 5 67.9 d |
150 | 37.36c |
| 196.92c | 2.50 a |
| 2.6 20 7 c | 2.5 4 77 b | 3 8 57.4 c |
200 | 47.95a |
| 210.67 10 b | 2.35 b |
| 2.2 8 1 3 a | 2.86 0 5 a | 48922. a |
250 | 44.60b |
| 230.14 30 a | 2.3 4 b |
| 2.7 490 b | 2.56 7 7 a | 4 4 40.6 b |
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Cultivar |
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SC 500 | 40.45a |
| 195.50d | 2.66 a |
| 2.1085 c | 2.5 301 c | 3597.5 d |
SC 604 | 40.74a |
| 212.01 2 b | 2.39 b |
| 2.2 19 7 b | 2.7 419 b | 3 8 90.0 c |
SC 700 | 42.72a |
| 214.501 4 b | 2.35 b |
| 2.5 294 a b | 2.462 4 a | 42375. b |
sc704 | 42.90a |
| 220.5020 a | 2.30 b |
| 2.33 38 a | 2.565 9 a | 4632.5 a |
In each column means of each factor that have at least one character in common, are not statistically significant at 5% probability level.
Stem diameter
Effect of nitrogen fertilizer on stem diameter was significant at 5% probability level of (Table 1). The highest stem diameter was found in 100 and 250 kg N per ha treatments (Table 2). Improvement of soil fertility can be effective on photosynthesis and function of light photosystem in increasing the growth components such as stem diameter.
Leavitt (1980) believed the large number of plants per unit area and nitrogen deficiency reduced the stem diameter and increased the stem height. Alyari et al. (2003) concluded that there was a significant difference between different levels of nitrogen fertilizer in terms of stem diameter. The effect of genotype on stem diameter was significant at 5% probability leve (Table 1). The highest stem diameter was observed for SC 500 (Table 2). Plants that have obtained the highest plant height had the thickest stem.
Leaf dry weight
The effect of nitrogen on leaf dry weight was significant at 5% probability level (Table 1). The highest leaf dry weight was observed in 200 kg N ha and the lowest was related to 100 kg N per ha treatment (Table 2). The results showed that the use of nitrogen fertilizers increased corn leaf area that would consequently increase leaf dry weight.
The effect of cultivar was significant on leaf dry weight at 1% probability level (Table 1). The highest and lowest leaf dry weights were related to SC 704 and SC 500, respectively, which were significantly different from the other cultivars (Table 2). With regard to the significant differences of cultivars and the importance of leaf in the production of plant, it can be concluded that the increase growth duration due to nitrogen application enhances the growing of leaf area, but leaf dry weight will be reduced to some extent by plant respiration and shadow.
Shoot dry weight
The effect of nitrogen treatments on shoot dry weight was significant at 1% probability level (Table 1). The highest dry weight was related to the treatment of 200 kg N per ha. The dry weight differences of 100 kg N per ha treatment with the other treatments were significant (Table 2). In the study of Latifi and Damavand (2003), extending the period of plant growth due to nitrogen fertilizer increased the stem weight. It seems that increase of light absorption of the plant community will lead to increase the plant height. Lone et al. (1999) observed that nitrogen changes in stem and seeds is consistent with nitrogen fertilizer (Zero to 252 per ha). In the treatment of 250 Kg N per ha the supply of nitrogen may cause greater proteins synthesis. Malh et al. (2001) stated that increased consumption of nitrogen enhances the proteins of corn.
The effect of cultivar on shoot dry weight was significant at 1% probability level (Table 1). The highest shoot dry weight was related to cultivar SC 704 and the least dry weight was observed for SC 500 (Table 2). Our results showed that the impact of nitrogen fertilizer on dry weights of shoot and stem increased due to increasing duration of plant growth. Fathi (1999) reported the similar results as well.
Ear dry weight
The effect of nitrogen on the ear dry weight was significant at 5% probability level (Table 1). The highest dry weight of ear was observed in 200 N per ha treatment and it was significantly different from other treatments. The lowest dry weight of ear was obtained in treatment of 100 per ha (Table 2). Moadab Shabestari et al. (1990) and Mol and Kemper (1977) reported that the increase of the growth period leads to increase dry weight of ear per plant. However, Imam et al. (1994) believed that ear dry weight gain was due to increase of ear components such as length and diameter. In the present experiment the increase of ear dry weight was more concurrency with ear length than diameter.
The effect of genotype on dry weight of ear was significantly at 1% probability level (Table 1). The highest dry weight of ear was related to SC 704 that was significantly different from the other cultivars.
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