Corn production as affected by application of nitric acid through drip irrigation system

Abstract EN

The application of plant nutrients through drip irrigation system (fustigation) is increasingly used for fertilizing field crops, especially under limited water resources and desert conditions.

The objective of this work was to study corn growth, yield and nitrogen uptake in response to nitric acid application as a source of nitrogen fertilizer through drip irrigation system. A field experiment was conducted at El- Magharah Research Station of Desert Research Center at North Sinai Corn (Zea mays, pioneer) was planted during summer 2000.

The drip irrigation system was prepared and the experimental treatments were 10 levels of nitric acid (0, 25, 40, 55, 70, 85, 100, 115, 130 and 145 kg N feddan) added six times on biweekly basis.

The increase in acid rate was followed by a significant increase in plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves, in addition to ear length, diameter and weight.

Nitric acid application increased significantly yield, N content and uptake in corn tissue, as affected by increasing nitric acid concentration in the irrigation water.

The most pronounced response to nitric acid application was obtained by increasing the acid to 100 units of N/ feddan.

Application of higher doses of the acid cased a reduction in productivity. The application of nitric acid with drip irrigation system and its equivalent to N fertilizer requirements is indicated.

Generally, nitric acid can be used as a source of N with high efficiency and recovery, in addition to reducing effect on pH of calcareous soil and increasing availability of nutrients in soil.