Effect of NPK foliar fertilizer application on maize (Zea mays l.) growth and yield

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of NPK foliar fertilizer on maize growth and yield. The research experiment was set up in a Randomized Completely Block Design with three replications and BIO 20 OMEX foliar fertilizer was applied in concentrations of 0L/Ha, 2.0L/Ha, 2.5L/Ha and 3.0L/Ha. In some plots, the foliar was applied 4 weeks after planting (WAP) while other plots had their foliar applied 7 weeks after planting (7 WAP) making a total of 7 treatments. This research was carried out for two rainy seasons at Makerere University Agricultural Research Institute Kabanyolo (MUARIK) located in central region of Uganda. The data on maize growth parameters (plant height, leaf area, internode length and number of leaves) was collected 8 weeks after planting (8WAP) and 12 weeks after planting (12 WAP) while the yield data (cob length, weight of 100 seeds, kernel length and ear mass) was collected 16 weeks after planting (16 WAP). All plants that received foliar fertilizer irrespective of time of application performed better than the control for both seasons. The plants that received the recommended BIO OMEX 20 foliar rate of 2.5L/Ha applied 4 WAP had the overall best performance in maize growth and yield. Although in some parameters like kernel length and weight of 100 seeds (for season 1), the highest concentration 3.0L/Ha applied 4 WAP performed slightly higher than recommended rate of 2.5L/Ha, the difference was not significant. It was therefore concluded that a farmer wishing to use this multi-nutrient BIO 20 OMEX foliar fertilizer should do so at a rate of 2.5L/Ha and at 4 weeks after planting.