Effect of seed rate, phosphorus and nitrogen fertilization on forage yield, leaf to stem ratio and protein content of maize (Zea mays l.)‎

Abstract EN

A field experiment was conducted for two consecutive seasons at the Demonstration Farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Khartoum, Shambat, Sudan to study the effect of seed rate, phosphorous and nitrogen on leaf to stem ratio, forage yield and protein content of forage maize.

The nitrogen levels were 0, 50, 100 kg N / ha in the form of urea and the phosphorous levels were 0, 100 kg P2O5 /ha in the form of triple superphosphate.

The seed rates were 71, 107 and 143 kg/ha.

The treatments were arranged in split-split plot design replicated four times.

The nitrogen was put in the main plot, phosphorous in the sub-plot and the seed rate in the sub-sub-plot.

Increase in seed rate significantly decreased leaf to stem ratio and increased forage fresh and dry matter yield.

Crude protein significantly decreased with the increase in seed rate.

The effect of phosphorous on all measured parameters was not significant.

Nitrogen fertilization significantly increased leaf to stem ratio and forage fresh and dry matter yield.

Crude protein in leaves and stems increased significantly with the increase of nitrogen.