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ISSN 1556-6757 |
SJI |
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Volume
1, Issue 1, 2009
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Soil Water and Nitrogen Interaction Effects on Maize (Zea
mays L.) Grown on a Vertisol
Amos Kojo Quaye, Kofi Budu Laryea, Stephen Abeney-Mickson
Abstract
This study examines the interaction effects of six moisture
regimes and three nitrogen rates on dry matter production
and nitrogen uptake by maize grown in a Vertisol from the
Accra Plains of Ghana. A local maize variety (Obaatanpa) was
grown in pots measuring 18 cm x 15 cm (inner diameter x
high) and containing 3.6 kg of air dry soil. The pots were
arranged in a randomized complete block design with four
replications. The Nitrogen rates were 0 kg N ha-1, 40 kg N
ha-1 and 80 kg N ha-1. The moisture regimes were 30, 40, 50,
60, 80 and 100% of the field capacity (FC) of the soil. The
interaction of 80 kg N ha-1 with 60%, 80% and 100% FC
significantly increased (p < 0.01) biomass yield and
nitrogen uptake. At moisture regimes 80% and 100% FC,
evapotranspiration from plants in the 80 kg N ha-1 was
significantly greater (p
< 0.01) than those in the 0 kg N ha-1 or 40 kg N ha-1. Maize
response to the applied nitrogen was influenced by
availability of water in the soil. It is important therefore
that fertilizer application to maize on Vertisols be done
when soil water content is close to field capacity.
Full Article
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