EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT LEVELS OF NITROGEN FERTILIZER ON HEIGHT, STEM DIAMETER AND LEAF AREA OF HYBRID MAIZE (Zea mays L.) (FARZ-27) VARIETIES.

Abstract

A field trial was conducted to determine the effects of different Nitrogen rates on height and stem diameter of hybrid maize (zea may L) at Niger State College of education teaching and research farm Minna, Niger State during 2024 growing season. Four nitrogen treatments (T1 control, T2 60, T3 120, T4 160 and T5 180 kg ha-1) and a control were studied in this trial. The application of N fertilizer significantly affected maize height, leaf area and stem diameter of maize plant. Applying 180 kg ha-1 and 160 kg ha-1 of nitrogen resulted in the highest plant heights of 210.23 cm and 199.78 cm, respectively. The maximum stem diameter (3.68 cm) was observed with the highest nitrogen dose (180 kg ha-1), followed by 160 kg ha-1 (3.51 cm) and 120 kg ha-1 (3.46 cm). The lowest stem diameter (2.58 cm) occurred with no fertilizer application, while a minimal nitrogen dose of 60 kg ha-1 resulted in a slightly larger diameter
(2.89 cm). These findings suggest that increasing nitrogen levels (60, 120, 160, and 180 kg ha-1) to an optimal range can enhance plant height, stem diameter, and leaf area in hybrid maize (Zea mays L) (FARZ-27).