Effect of mineral fertilisation on the yield of the maize (Zea mays L.) hybrid Dekalb 471 SC under irrigated and non-irrigated conditions

Citation
A. Megyes et al., Effect of mineral fertilisation on the yield of the maize (Zea mays L.) hybrid Dekalb 471 SC under irrigated and non-irrigated conditions, NOVENYTERME, 49(3), 2000, pp. 307-316
Citations number
26
Categorie Soggetti
Agriculture/Agronomy
Journal title
NOVENYTERMELES
ISSN journal
05468191 → ACNP
Volume
49
Issue
3
Year of publication
2000
Pages
307 - 316
Database
ISI
SICI code
0546-8191(200006)49:3<307:EOMFOT>2.0.ZU;2-R
Abstract
In a long-term field experiment set up in the Latokop experimental station of the Centre of Agricultural Sciences of Debrecen University, the data of the last five years (1995-1999) were analysed to determine the crop product ion factors with the greatest influence on maize production and the correla tions and interactions between irrigation and mineral fertilisation. The ex perimental results were evaluated using analysis of variance. In the extremely dry year of 1995 mineral fertilisation was found to cause substantial yield depression in the absence of irrigation. According to the results of analysis of variance mineral fertilisation significantly reduce d the maize yield by 40-90% compared to that of the control plot. Under irr igated conditions there was a considerable increase in the maize yield, the yield surplus being 4.4-9.4 t/ha, depending on the nutrient supply level. The greatest irrigation effect was recorded on plots fertilised with 120 kg /ha N, while at a rate of 240 kg N/ha the efficiency of irrigation was extr emely low and the yield was almost 3 t/ha lower than that achieved with the lower, 120 kg/ha rate of N, and was practically the same as that recorded on the unfertilised control plots. During the period from 1996-1999, when the rainfall conditions were favoura ble for maize, mineral fertilisation significantly increased the maize yiel d even without irrigation over the average of the four years. The yield sur plus due to mineral fertilisation was 3.9-4.6 t/ha, depending on the fertil isation rare. The maximum yield surplus was obtained on plots fertilised wi th the lower N rate of 120 kg/ha. At a rate of 240 kg Nka the maize yield d id not differ significantly from this value. During the period examined the yield was significantly higher at all three nutrient supply levels as the result of irrigation than in the non-irrigated treatment. As in the case of non-irrigated conditions, the highest fertiliser dose did not result in a substantial yield increase. An analysis of the interaction between fertilis ation and irrigation indicated that the yield-increasing effect of fertilis ation was not significantly different under irrigated and non-irrigated con ditions. The significant year x irrigation interaction was confirmed by the fact that the yield surplus (1.3-2.3 t/ha) differed greatly from the irrig ation effect recorded in 1995. The results indicate that there is no justification for applying 240 kg N/h a, plus the corresponding P and K fertilisers, since this dose does not inc rease the maize yield significantly compared with the 120 kg/ha rate and in dry years may even lead to a substantial yield reduction. This rate of N f ertilisation is definitely excessive and its application will have a negati ve effect on the profitability of maize production, leading to serious loss es. In addition it is a potential source of danger From the point of view o f environment protection, since high doses of N fertiliser combined with ir rigation multiply the quantity of nitrate leached from the root zone to pol lute the,groundwater.