Growth and Yield Response of Maize to Different Nitrogen and Phosphorus Rates in Yola, Nigeria

Field studies were conducted during the 2000 and 2001 cropping seasons at the University Research Farm, Federal Universality of Technology, Yola to evaluate the response of maize (New Kaduna White) to different N and P rates in Yola, Nigeria. The study was a factorial type fitted in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) consisting of 8 treatments replicated three times. The treatments were four levels of N (0, 60, 120 and 180 kg N ha-1) and two levels of P, (0 and 60 kg P ha-1). Data collected were, plant heights at 4, 6, 8 and 10 weeks after planting (WAP), ear height at 12 WAP, shoot dry weight at 4, 6, and 8 WAP, cob weight, ear length, ear diameter, 100-grain weight, number of ears harvested per plot, and grain yield per hectare. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) appropriate to RCBD using statistical package SAS for Win- dows and least significant Difference (LSD) method was used to compare the difference between means. The results showed that the application of 120 kg N ha-1 and 60 kg P ha-1 significantly increased the growth and some yield compo- nents of maize than the other treatments. This study, therefore, suggests that for optimum grain yield in Yola and its environments, 120 kg N ha-1 and 60 kg P ha-1 is recommended for the study area.