Response of Maize Hybrids to Composted and Non-composted Poultry Manure under Different Irrigation Regimes

Poultry manure (PM) is enriched with uric acid and undigested protein however; the nutrient availability varies in fresh and composted PM. An incubation study was conducted during 2009 in green house at Agronomic Research Farm, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad to examine the changes in availability of nitrogen (N) to maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids with composted and non-composted PM under various irrigation regimes. The experiment was conducted following completely randomized design with factorial arrangement and each treatment was repeated five times. Pre-tested drought tolerant (Monsanto 919) and sensitive (FH-810) maize hybrids were planted at 100% and 75% of field capacity levels (FC). Performance of the maize hybrid (Monsanto 919) under composted PM was better for N content, which resulted in maximum number of leaves per plant (17.40), plant height (147.60 cm), leaf area index (4.99) and transpiration rate (8.50 m mol m(-2) s(-1)). In maize hybrid (FH-810), maximum photosynthesis rate (21.82 mu mol m(-2) s(-1)) was noted under composted PM at 100% FC, while the performance of this hybrid was poor in all other recorded observations at 75% FC. The nitrogen availability was more from composted PM under both conditions (normal & drought). This enhanced the morphological and physiological processes in maize crop. c (C) 2011 Friends Science Publishers