Abstract

Maize is highly responsive to nitrogen fertilizer rates and plant spacing. Continuous efforts have been carried out to improve the yield potential of maize by modifying their architecture through breeding methods with aim of increasing maize yield through increasing number of plants ha-1. Hybrid BH-546 is the recently released variety for this purpose but its optimum nitrogen rate and spacing has not been determined yet. Thus, a field experiment was conducted at Bako research farm in the year 2017 to determine the optimum rate of nitrogen fertilization and intra-row spacing. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design in factorial arrangement with three replications. Three intra-row spacing viz., 75 cm × 40 cm, 75 cm × 30 cm and 75 cm × 20 cm accommodating 33,333, 44,444 and 66,666 plants ha-1, respectively, with six nitrogen levels viz., 0, 23, 46, 69, 92 and 115 kg ha-1, were assigned to the experimental plot by factorial combinations. Based on the results, the maximum grain yield (10,208 kgha-1) was obtained when the hybrid was sown at the closest intra-row spacing (20 cm) with application of the highest rate of nitrogen (115 kg ha-1). This result showed 8.9% yield advantages compared to the standard check. However, statistically similar grain yield (9887 kgha-1) was also obtained under application of 92 kg N ha-1 in the same intra-spacing (20 cm). Moreover, since this experiment was conducted for one season and in one location, the comprehensive recommendation could be drawn by investigating more locations over years for this maize hybrid.

Key words: BH 546, plant density, yield, yield components.