Response of Maize (Zea mays L.) to Nitrogen and Phosphorus Fertilizers under semi-arid condition of Hamelmalo, Eritrea.
Changes in climate, development of new hybrids and soil fertility status has influenced nutrient application rates worldwide. A field experiment was conducted at the Agronomic Research Area of Hamelmalo Agricultural College’s experimental farm to determine the optimal levels of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) for enhancing maize productivity in the semi-arid conditions of Hamelmalo, Eritrea. The study, replicated three times, employed a randomized complete block design with nine treatments, covering an area of 404 square meters. Observations on various parameters such as growth, development, yield, and yield attributes were meticulously monitored throughout the experimental period. The results showed that increasing nitrogen levels from no application to 100 kg/ha significantly impacted plant height, with values ranging from 209.6 cm to 224.8 cm. Similarly, phosphorus application from no application to 50 kg/ha led to an increase in plant height (207.6 cm to 230 cm) and leaf area (449 cm² to 571 cm²). While nitrogen and phosphorus applications did not significantly affect the time taken for tasseling and silking, they did influence the time to maturity. The yield parameters indicated that grain yield was not significantly affected by either nitrogen or phosphorus levels, although biomass yield was significantly influenced by higher nitrogen levels (150 kg/ha), resulting in a biomass yield of 7.4 t/ha. Additionally, cob length, a critical yield attribute, was significantly influenced by the application of 150 kg/ha of nitrogen, resulting in a cob length of 11.6 cm, while phosphorus application did not significantly impact cob length. In conclusion, the study found that applying 150 kg/ha of nitrogen through urea and 50 kg/ha of phosphorus through di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) resulted in significant improvements in most of the parameters studied. These findings provide valuable insights into optimizing maize productivity in semi-arid regions, highlighting the importance of nutrient management in enhancing crop performance under challenging environmental conditions.
Keywords: Maize, Nitrogen and Phosphorus levels, Semi-arid conditions, Crop response, Growth, Development, Yield, Nutrient management
