Abstract

A two-year field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of diverse use of nitrogen sources on grain yield, harvest index, nitrogen-use efficiency (NUE) and phenological development of hybrid maize (Zea mays L.) at the Agronomic Research Area, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad during autumn of 2008 and 2009. Experiments were laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with factorial arrangement comprising three replications with a net plot size of 3 m × 5 m. Experiments comprised two hybrids: that is, H₁ (Pioneer-30Y87) and H₂ (Pioneer-31R88) with combination of six nitrogen sources S₀: Control (0) kgNha^-1, S₁: Urea (50%) + poultry manure (50%), S₂: Urea (50%) + farm yard manure (50%), S₃: Urea (50%) + pressmud of sugarcane manure (50%), S₄: Urea (50%) + compost (50%), S₅: Urea (50%) + (poultry manure + farmyard manure + pressmud of sugarcane + Compost) 50%. Significant results of grain yield (t ha^-1), harvest index (%), nitrogen use efficiency (%), number of days taken to tassel, number of days taken to silk, and  number of days taken to mature was obtained. Conclusively, hybrid maize H₁ (Pioneer 30Y87) performed best during 2008 as compared to 2009 at nitrogen sources S₁: Urea (50%) + poultry manure (50%). Overall, it was concluded that hybrid maize H₁ (Pioneer - 30Y87) produced better grain yield (6.14 t ha^-1) during 2008 when nitrogen sources S₁: Urea (50%) + Poultry manure (50%), was applied in combination as compared to grain yield (6.0 t ha^-1) in hybrid H₂ (Pioneer - 31R88) during 2009. Growth and quality attributes also performed better in 2008 as compared to 2009 at nitrogen sources S₁: Urea (50%) + poultry manure (50%).

Key words: Nitrogen sources, hybrid maize, yield, nitrogen use efficiency.