Impact of Nitrogen Fertilization Levels on Morphophysiological Characters and Yield Quality of Some Maize Hybrids (Zea mays L.)

A FIELD experiment was conducted in two successive seasons 2012 and 2013 at the experimental farm, faculty of agriculture, Kafrelsheikh University, Egypt, to investigate the effect of different nitrogen levels on growth, yield and quality of grains and forage of some maize hybrids (Zea mays L.). A split plot design with four replicates was used. Main plots consisted of four nitrogen levels (60, 90, 120 and 150 kg urea/fed) and subplots, including three hybrids of maize (S.C. 10, S.C. 122 and S.C. 124). Results indicated that the effect of nitrogen fertilizer and hybrids effects on chlorophyll a and b, leaf area, the number of grains per ear, number of grains per row, 100 grain weight of maize, grain yield were significant. The S.C. 10 was significantly higher than other hybrids in all traits under study except shelling percentage and crude fiber %, which could increase palatability and digestibility of the hybrid. There was no significant difference occur among hybrids in crude fat in both seasons. N management by the application of 150 kg N/fed produced significantly more leaf area, number of grains row(-1), number of grains ear(-1),100-grain weight (g), grain yield (ard /fed), crude fat (%), fresh forage yield (ton/fed, protein (%) in forage yield and grain protein (%) however it had the lowest crude fiber %. Furthermore, there was not find significant difference among N fertilizer levels on oil (%) and moisture (%), however, application of 120 kg N/fed. produced significantly more shelling (%) and fresh forage yield (ton/fed). Thus, it concluded that applying 150 kg N/fed for S.C. 10. could be used successfully for improving production of maize grain and forage yield as well as quality traits.