Effect of Different Nitrogen Levels on Some Quality Characters of Three Maize (Zea mays L.) Cultivars Under Northern State Conditions

Abstract

This study aimed to compare the use of different nitrogen levels on some quality characters of three maize cultivars namely Hudeiba-1, Hudeiba-2 and Balady. A split plot arrangement in randomized complete block design with four replications was used to compare some quality characters of three maize cultivars receiving four levels of nitrogen. The three maize cultivars (Balady, Hudeiba-1 and Hudeiba-2) were assigned to the main plot, whereas the four levels of nitrogen (0, 43, 86 and 129 Kg/ha) were assigned to the sub plot. The experiment was conducted during two consecutive summer seasons 2013/14 and 2014/15 at the demonstration farm of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences–University of Dongola–Sudan (Latitude 19˚ 11˝ N and Longitude 30˚ 29˝ E and altitude 227 m ASL). The results revealed that increase in nitrogen level had a highly significant effect on both crude protein and crude fibre content in both seasons. Application of 129 kg N/ha gave 1 and 6% significantly greater crude protein content over control in both seasons, whereas the increase in crude fiber was 1 and 13%. Also, differences among maize cultivars was significant for crude protein and crude fibre contents in both seasons. Interaction between nitrogen levels and maize cultivars gave significant differences in crude protein and crude fibre content in the first season.