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
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.