Effect of Bio-Fertilizers and on Growth and Yield of Two Maize (Zea mays L.) Cultivars at Shambat

Abstract

A field experiment in randomized complete block design with three replications based on a split-plot arrangements was conducted on a salty loam soil located at the Demonstration Farm of the College of Agricultural Studies, Sudan University of Science and Technology at Shambat, Sudan, during two growing winter seasons of 2011-2012 and 2012-2013. The study was undertaken to assess the effect of Bio-fertilizer on growth and yield of two maize cultivars and to determine level of fertilizer and the optimum combination suitable for improving crop production at Shambat area, Sudan. The bio-fertilizer (Effective Microorganisms, EM, at rates zero, 6.25,12.50,18.75 and 25 L/ha corresponding to F1, F2, F3, F4 and F5 while the two maize cultivar are HODAIBA(V1) and MOGTAMA 45(v2)were used. Characters studied were plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves per plant, leaf area, cob length, cob diameter, number of rows per cob, number of grains per cob, 100-grain weight and grains yield per hectare. The results showed that, growth parameters (plant height and stem diameter), cob length, number of rows per cob, number of grains and grains yield were higher in HODAIBA than MOGTAMA45 while reverse trend was observed in case of leaf area and 100-grain weight. Also, plant height, leaf area and stem diameter, cob length, number of rows per cob, number of grains per row and 100- grain weight were highly influenced by bio-fertilizer application at F4 level. The highest plant height, LA, stem diameter, cob length, number of rows per cob, number of grains and grains yield was recorded in (F4x V1) interaction treatment in both seasons. The highest grain yield ( t/ha) was obtained by HODAIBA with application of 18.75L/ha.