RESPONSE OF MAIZE TO NITROGEN APPLICATION METHODS AND ROW CONFIGURATION

A field study was conducted on sandy clay loam soil to evaluate the impact of row spacing and N application method on the productivity of maize (Zea mays L.). The experiment was conducted using four row spacings (60 cm spaced single rows, 90 cm spaced double row strips, 90 cm spaced single rows and 135 cm spaced double row strips) and two methods of nitrogen (N) application (broadcast and band placement) using hybrid (Monsanto DK-922) during 2006 and 2007. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design with a split plot arrangement and four replications. Row spacing was allotted to main plots and N application method to sub plots. The plant population of maize was kept uniform (55555 plants ha^-1) for all the treatments. The results revealed that sowing maize at 90 cm spaced double row strips was superior to other spacings with respect to leaf area index, total dry matter, crop growth rate, plant height, number of grains ear^-1, 1000-grain weight and grain yield. The increase in maize grain yield was 7.35 to 14.41 and 9.39 to 21.98% in 2006 and 2007, respectively. Band placement of N produced 10.94 and 11.61% higher grain yield than broadcast N application. We conclude that sowing maize in 90 cm double row strips and applying N as band placement could improve growth and grain yield.