Influence of nitrogen fertilization on the performance of early and late maturing maize varieties under natural infestation with Striga hermonthica (Del.) Benth

Kamara, A.Y., Ekeleme, F., Omoigui, L., Menkir, A., Chikoye, D., Dugje,I.Y. & Amaza, P. (2009). Influence of nitrogen fertilization on the performance of early and late maturing maizevarieties under natural infestation with Striga hermonthica (Del.) Benth. Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science, 55(2), 125-145.

Field studies were conducted in northeast Nigeria to evaluate the response ofearly and late-maturing maize varieties infested with natural populations ofStrigato different rates of nitrogen (N) fertilizer. There were significant reductions in thenumber of emergedStrigaat 120 kg N ha71for the early varieties and at 60 and120 kg N ha71for the late varieties. The number of emergedStrigaonlysignificantly differed among the late varieties. Averaged across varieties, grainyield of the early varieties was 144% higher at 60 kg N ha71and 192% higher at120 kg N ha71than without added N. For the late varieties the increase in grainyield was 85% higher at 60 kg N ha71and 144% higher at 120 kg N ha71thanwithout added N. Among the early varieties, TZE COMP4 C3 had significantlylower grain yield than the other varieties. Among the late varieties, grain yields of8338-1-1 and TZB-SR were significantly lower than in the other varieties. Ourresults show that the application of 60–120 kg N/ha toStrigaresistant or tolerantvarieties may reduce damage and increase grain yield. Higher economic rates ofreturn was obtained at N rates of 60–120 kg N/ha than the other rates.