85. Foliar sulphur- with split soil N application on yield performance of maize in Peshawar-Pakistan

Abstract

Efficient use of soil N fertilizer with foliar application of Sulphur has been widely used and accepted as an essential part of the present plant production. Increased fertilizer e.g. N in combination with reduced level of atmospheric S has raised the need of S application to the crops for sustainable optimum production e.g. maize (Zea mays L.). Objective of this study was to compare yield performance of maize varieties through foliar Sulphur application with soil N-split application. Experiment was conducted at Agronomy Research Farm, the University of Agriculture Peshawar during the crop growth season 2010. Randomized complete block, in split plots with four replications was used. Varieties were allotted as main plot while N and Sulphur as subplots treatments. ANOVA results revealed that grain yield, biological yield and harvest index were significantly affected by foliar Sulphur and N-rates. Varieties also differed significantly for grain and biological yield including harvest index. Maximum grains yield (3221.45 kg ha^-1) was recorded in plots receiving 120 kg N ha^-1 at sowing and 20 kg S ha^-1as foliar application at tasseling. Cultivar “Jalal” performed the best for the area. It can be concluded that N 120 kg ha^-1with S 20 kg ha^-1 at tasseling stage could results the highest grains yield of maize for Peshawar and adjacent localities with similar climate.

Keywords: Maize,Nitrogen, Sulphur foliar application, maize varieties, Yield and Yield traits

http://dx.doi.org/10.19045/bspab.2020.90095