Performance of Zea mays as Influenced By variety, Inorganic Fertilizer and Plant Density

A study was conducted to assess growth and yield performances of maize under the influence of inorganic fertilizer, population density and variety. Treatments used were factorial combinations of two maize varieties (DMR-ESR-Y and Suwan-1-SR), 70 × 30 cm and 100 × 40 cm plant spacing and three levels of NPK 15:15:15 (0, 60 and 120 kg NPK/ha). Data were collected on leaf production, plant height, ear height, leaf area, leaf area index, days to 50% flowering, days to tassel and silk appearances, stem dry weight, root dry weight, cob weight, kernel rows per cob, harvest index and final grain yield. It was revealed that combination of 120 kgN/ha with DMR‐ESR‐Y and 47619 plants/ha could improve dry matter, yield and yield components. Therefore, production of DMR‐ESR‐Y maize variety with application of 120 kgNPK/ha at population density of 47619 plants/ha can be used for better maize yield improvement to cater for the ever increasing population of consumers especially in the ecological zone where the research was conducted.