DefinePK

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted to measure the impact of seed priming and nitrogen levels on maize yield and nitrogen uptake. Research was carried out in randomized complete block design with three replications at The University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan. Nitrogen at the rate of 0, 75 and 150 kg ha-1 were applied at three split doses, such as at sowing, knee and tasseling stage along with dry seed, water soaked and seed primed with potassium di-hydrogen phosphate (KH2PO4) at the rate of 0.2 % Phosphorous concentration. Seeds were soaked for 12 hours and then air dried for 30 minutes. Maize biological yield, grain yield, Stover yield, grains per cob, thousand grain weights, harvest index and total N uptake were significantly (P≤0.05) affected by seed priming and nitrogen levels. Maximum values of mentioned parameter were recorded at 150 kg N ha-1 in seeds primed with 0.2% phosphorous solution. Minimum values of all parameters were noted for control. P priming enhanced total N uptake by 34% than the dry seed. . Thus it is concluded that use of nitrogen at 150 kg ha-1 along with 0.2% P priming gives maximum maize yield and high N uptake.
Keywords: Phosphorous; Biological yield; AB-DTPA; RCB (randomized complete block); DM
http://dx.doi.org/10.19045/bspab.2016.50075