Growth and Yield Response Maize (Zea mays L.) to Different Phosphorus Fertilizer Levels at Debre Markos, North West Ethiopia

Abstract

In order to investigate the effect of different phosphorus levels on the yield and yield components of Maize, an experiment was carried out at Debre Markos University during 2017. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with three replications having a plot size of 3 m x 2 m, with replication distance of 0.75 m and plant to plant distance of 0.25 m. The levels of Phosphorus were 0 (control), 50, 100, 150, 200, 250 and 300 kg ha^-1. Results indicated that the different levels of phosphorus had significant effect on maize plant height, number of leaf per plant, leaf area of maize, however the effect was non-significant on number of leafs per plant on some levels of phosphorus. Application of P at the rate of 200 kg ha^-1 resulted in maximum plant height (92.93 cm), number of Leafs per plant (11.67) and leaf areas (517.57 cm2), as compared to the minimum values in control plots. The results indicated that the response of maize grain yield to the increase of P fertilizer up to 250 kg/ha.  This response was observed in all parameters except for number of ears. Therefore, it is concluded that P should be applied at the rate of 250 kg ha-1 for best grain yield in the agro-ecological conditions of Debre Markos.

Keywords: Phosphorus, Zea mays L., Yield