The effects of a foliar spray containing phosphorus and zinc on the development, composition and yield of forage maize

Citation
Ka. Leach et A. Hameleers, The effects of a foliar spray containing phosphorus and zinc on the development, composition and yield of forage maize, GRASS FOR S, 56(3), 2001, pp. 311-315
Citations number
21
Categorie Soggetti
Agriculture/Agronomy
Journal title
GRASS AND FORAGE SCIENCE
ISSN journal
01425242 → ACNP
Volume
56
Issue
3
Year of publication
2001
Pages
311 - 315
Database
ISI
SICI code
0142-5242(200109)56:3<311:TEOAFS>2.0.ZU;2-U
Abstract
Forage maize grown in areas where spring temperatures are low and accumulat ed heat is limited will be restricted in terms of maturity and thus nutriti onal value. A stagnant growth phase is commonly caused by low temperatures between germination and the five-leaf stage, which could be caused by reduc ed mineral availability. The effects on maize plant development and harvest characteristics of supplying phosphorus and zinc to young plants in a foli ar spray were investigated. Three different application dates, between the four-leaf and the seven-leaf stage, were compared. Applying the phosphorus and zinc foliar spray at the four-leaf stage resulted in a significant (P<0 .05) increase in starch content at harvest. Cob index [proportion of plant dry matter (DM) in the cob] was increased (P<0.05) by applying the nutrient spray at the four-, five- and seven-leaf stages. However, there was no eff ect on DM yield, suggesting some alteration in partitioning within the plan t.