INFLUENCE OF BIOFERTILIZATION AND MINERAL NITROGEN TREATMENTS ON MAIZE (ZEA MAYS L.) PRODUCTIVITY UNDER MINIA GOVERNORATE CONDITIONS

Two field trials were conducted for two successive seasons 2017 and
2018 at a private farm located in Menpal Village, Matay District, EL- Minia
governorate, Egypt. To study the effect of three biofertilization treatments
(control, Minia azotine and Nitrobine) with five mineral nitrogen
fertilization levels (20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 kg/fed.) as well as their
interactions on the growth, yield and yield components of maize (Zea mays
L.) yellow SC Pioneer 999.
The results illustrated that all tested aspects of growth characters (plant
height, stem diameter and leaf area) and yield and yield components (ear
length, number of grains / row and grain yield) were significantly improved
with applying biofertilizers relative to the check treatment in both seasons.
Minia azotine biofertilizer was more effective than Nitrobine. In addition, all
previous traits were significantly increased due to increasing nitrogen levels
from 20 to 100 kg N/fed. in both seasons. Minia azotine plus fertilizing with
nitrogen at 80 kg/fed. was the superlative interaction treatment for grain
production of maize in both seasons. A result of this research confirms the
importance of biofertilizers application to compensate for artificial fertilizers
to boost crop yield and quality while minimizing environmental impacts.