Effect of different nitrogen fertilization levels on maize forage yield and quality

Abstract

The optimal nitrogen input is very important factor to achieve high crop yields at lower costs of production on farms. The aim of this research was to estimate the effects of different nitrogen levels (0, 60, 120 and 180 kg ha-1) on forage yield and quality green mass in two maize hybrids ZP 666 and NS 6030. Field experiment was conducted on dry land farming at the Institute for Animal Husbandry Belgrade-Zemun in 2013. The tested hybrid NS 6030 had significantly higher ear height (EH), number of leaves (NL), buffering capacity of green mass (BC) and water soluble carbohydrates (WSC) and significantly lower dry matter content (DM) and crude protein content (CP) than hybrid ZP 666. Nitrogen levels have significantly effect on plant height (PH), NL, forage yield (FY), rain use efficiency (RUE), N use efficiency (NUE), CP, BC and WSC. PH and RUE did not differ between treatments fertilized with 60, 120 and 180 kg N ha-1. Maximum NL and FY observed at 120 kg N ha-1, CP at 180 kg N ha-1, BC at control and NUE and WSC at 60 kg N ha-1. NUE was significantly decreased with increased N rate from 60 to 180 kg ha-1. NUE significantly depends on the availability of water, as indicated by the correlation coefficient between these parameters. Studied hybrids are suitable for ensiling. N rate of 120 kg N ha-1 can be recommended for growing studied hybrids in order to achieve high yields and quality of forage.